On the morning of the fourth day of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to Thessaloniki (Tuesday, September 30, 2025), he was met with a deeply personal and joyful surprise: the opportunity to spend time with children at a school, something he greatly misses. It is well known how much the Ecumenical Patriarch loves young people and cares about their education and future. A shining example of this is his revival of schools of all levels on his beloved native island of Imbros.
On that day, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited an educational institution blessed by the Apostle to the Nations, St. Paul, accompanied by the local Metropolitan Filotheos of Thessaloniki; his sacred entourage; Metropolitans Theodoritos of Laodicea and Maximos of Selybria; and Bishop Varnavas. This fulfilled a wish he had during his visit to Thessaloniki when it was the European Capital of Culture in 1997.
He was welcomed by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Bryoula, whose elder and spiritual father was the late Metropolitan Leonidas, along with Alexandros Aristotelous, president of the Apostle Paul Association; Nefeli Chourmouzi, high school principal; Prodromos Agaliadis, middle school principal; Stamatis Pantzalis, elementary school principal; and Eirini Kontou, kindergarten principal.
First, the Patriarch went to the Church of St. Basil within the school. There, in the Holy Sanctuary, he signed the Sacred Gospel as a dedicatory act. The attending hierarchs followed his example while the choir sang the traditional hymn of long life.
Then, he visited the grave of the late Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Leonidas Paraskevopoulos, the founder of the “Apostle Paul” Schools. There, he held a memorial service in his honor.
Then, the Patriarch planted an olive tree in remembrance of his visit. He greeted the students joyfully and sat on the Middle School terrace, surrounded by hierarchs, school directors, and clergy. From there, he looked out over the school courtyard, which was filled with more than a thousand students and parents—a sight that moved him deeply, an emotion that was heightened when he heard the entire student body chant the hymns of St. Paul and St. Demetrios.
Mr. Alexandros Aristotelous, president of the “Apostle Paul” Association, was the first to speak. He welcomed His All-Holiness “with profound respect, inexpressible joy, and filial devotion” and expressed gratitude toward the martyric Phanar. He said: “In your presence, we see a symbol of unity for our nation amid ominous times. Our joy is great, as this visit coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of our school’s uninterrupted and blessed operation. This year, over nine hundred parents entrusted us with their children’s education. One hundred and fifty teachers continue to work according to the vision and teachings of the late Metropolitan Leonidas Paraskevopoulos, founder of our institution.” Mr. Aristotelous then recalled the school’s history, social work, and environmental initiatives.
The welcome continued with performances by the elementary school choir under the direction of Ms. Tsami, featuring songs from Macedonia. The middle school choir performed under the direction of Mr. Chrysochoos. Students in traditional costumes performed traditional dances from Macedonia and Crete.
Athanasios Momtsos, a first-year middle school student, welcomed the Patriarch on behalf of the students. He shared his impressions from a school trip to Constantinople and the Ecumenical Patriarchate organized by the Zografeio Lyceum as part of an environmental program.
Finally, the Ecumenical Patriarch himself delivered an inspired, timely, and deeply moving speech that left a lasting impression on the gathering. He discussed the challenges facing modern education and offered solutions. He praised the school’s important educational mission, the late Metropolitan Leonidas’s contributions, and expressed his joy at being among so many students, “our children.” He expressed his hope that they would be well-prepared to enter the arena of life, integrate into modern society, and offer their unique gifts to humanity, guided by the healthy values they cultivate at school.
Turning to the teachers, he stressed, “Education requires love, skill, and labor. “Education requires love, skill, and labor. It’s no coincidence that, despite the rapid changes in our society, teachers remain the soul of the school. Teachers must see their work as a high calling and prioritize the progress and advancement of their students. Without good teachers, no educational reform can bear fruit.” He also noted the profound changes in childhood due to technological developments and the complex challenges in educating the new generation. “Humanity takes time to mature. There are no quick or easy solutions in the face of vast technological changes. The cultural level of society is revealed in how it regards teachers and students.”
At the close of the event, the Patriarch’s joy and satisfaction were evident. The schools offered refreshments to their guests while the students enjoyed an extended recess in the large, tree-filled courtyard.
The “Apostle Paul” Schools were founded in 1976 by the late Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Leonidas Paraskevopoulos. He envisioned a school for his beloved city that would encompass all levels of education and provide excellent academic training and Christian soul formation. His vision found devoted supporters who brought it to life with zeal and self-sacrifice. The Thessaloniki missionary society “Apostle Paul” has carried this project forward to this day. They first opened a kindergarten, followed by elementary, middle, and high schools. Thessaloniki families quickly embraced the institution, entrusting their children to it. The schools’ facilities expanded rapidly in a uniquely beautiful, tree-covered location on the Panorama slopes, including auditoriums, gymnasiums, sports fields, and spacious courtyards. In November 2009, the “Apostle Paul” schools organized a pilgrimage to Constantinople, where students and staff met the Ecumenical Patriarch at the Theological School of Halki.
Subsequently, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the Helleno-French College “De La Salle” in Pefka, in the municipality of Neapolis–Sykeon. There, he was welcomed by Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis and Stavroupolis; Mayor Simos Daniilidis; the school’s leadership; faculty; and its 1,100 students. There, he addressed the students with paternal love and heartfelt appreciation. In turn, they welcomed him with words, songs, blessings, and commemorative gifts.
