Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gave his wishes and blessings to the students and teachers in Constantinople and Imbros.
On the start of the new school year, the Ecumenical Patriarch sent a message to the heads of educational institutions, stressing that teachers “carry out humanitarian work, transmitting knowledge, values, and adherence to the tradition to the students.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch said that the students should regard school as a sacred place of education and humanity. “Our tradition says that education is what makes somebody righteous with faith in God and love for one’s neighbour.”
He added that education is not about what we are, but mainly about what we should be.
He also stressed that the biggest chapter in education is not only the teacher and the student, but also the parents who wholeheartedly support the children in the difficult struggle of education.