On the morning of Thursday, January 28, the sanctification rite for the beginning of the new school year at Saint George Greek Orthodox College of the Parish-Community in Thebarton in Adelaide took place in the Church of Saint George as reported by vema.com.au.
In previous years, the school community of the College attended prayerfully the sanctification rite. This year, due to the COVID-19 restrictive measures, a limited number of students attended the church, while the rest of the students prayed together through videoconference.
Bishop Siluan of Sinope presided over the sanctification rite, assisted by the priests of the Parish-Community and the priests of the College, Fr. Diogenis Patsouris and Fr. Konstantinos Skoybourdis.
The Head of the College, Epameinondas Karamoschos, and the Deputy Head, Lynley Davies, also attended the service.
After the sanctification rite, Fr. Constantine visited the classes of the students, who could not attend the church and sanctified them.
After having conveyed the wishes and blessings of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Bishop urged students to make the most of the great gift of learning, a gift that is often inaccessible to many less privileged children in the world.
In particular, the Bishop encouraged graduates to look forward to further university studies. It is natural for someone to feel anxious when they consider their future and obligations as a student, but, as the Bishop pointed out, we can win this battle if we focus on our goal without stress, but, on the contrary, by praising God. The Bishop concluded by urging the students to constantly sanctify with their way of life every time and to be sanctified, since every moment is a precious gift of the immense love of our Creator for us, His creations.”
“May the rich blessings of God cover under His wings the students and teachers of the College throughout the new school year and their lives.”