On Thursday, 25th September 2025, the Blessing of the Waters was held by Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos in the Holy Church of the Holy Trinity of the Patriarchal School of Zion, in the presence of the Chairman of the School Board, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, Priests and the Archdeacon Mark, the Headmaster Monk Vasileios, the representative of the Hellenic General Consulate Mrs Anna Mantika, the teachers, and the novice students of the School.
At this service, Patriarch Theophilos expressed His joy at the return of the students at the beginning of the School Year 2025–2026 to this nourishing institution of the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood, where the novices are prepared, by their own free choice, for their entrance into the Brotherhood and their service within it. His Beatitude exhorted the students to apply themselves diligently to their studies and to cultivate the proper ethos for their high mission, through the education provided this year by both the older and new teachers of the school.
Patriarch Theophilos likewise welcomed the new teachers, to whom the Patriarchate and the Nation entrust the formation of these novices for the lofty work which they are called to undertake.
Patriarch Theophilos was addressed in response by the Headmaster Monk Vasileios and by the Representative of the Hellenic General Consulate, Mrs Anna Mantika, who assured Him that they will labour with all their strength to prove themselves worthy of the high level of studies offered by the Patriarchal School, which follows the Curriculum of the Ministry of Education of Greece, and that they will stand by the students in every need, prayer, and devout aspiration of theirs.
After the service, the Headmaster Monk Vasileios treated Patriarch Theophilos and all present to a reception at the school’s hall.
Source and photo: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
