On Friday, February 9, 2024, with the blessing of Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea conducted the school blessing to mark the beginning of the new academic year at St Andrew’s Grammar in Perth WA.
The Bishop conveyed the paternal blessings and love of Archbishop Makarios of Australia and read for the staff and students the Archbishop’s message for the beginning of the new school year. In his message, the Archbishop provided the following advice from St Basil the Great, “Just as we avoid the thorns when we cut a rose flower, in the same way from these texts (secular knowledge) we will take what is useful, and guard ourselves from what is harmful”.
Following the blessing, various school students gave presentations in Greek and English in celebration of the International Day of the Greek language, celebrated every year on the 9 February.
Finally, the assembly concluded with a special prayer and blessing from the Bishop for all of the new school leaders for 2024.
School Principal, Craig Monaghan, thanked the Bishop for his presence and blessings for the new year.
The start of year blessing was held in the presence of various dignitaries from the Greek community in Perth including the Consul for Greece in Perth Mrs. Georgia Karasiotou, the new CEO of the Hellenic Community of WA, Paul Savvas, as well as representatives from the school board and management Committee of the Hellenic Community of WA.
