“Societies are judged on the basis of what they do for the protection and progress of the new generation,” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew pointed out in the greetings he sent to the teachers and students of the Greek diaspora schools in Constantinople and Imbros, in view of the beginning of the new school year 2020-2021.
In his address to the teachers, the Ecumenical Patriarch said: “There is no greater satisfaction for a teacher than the love and gratitude his students feel for him or her. There is also no greater pleasure than the recognition of their efforts and their concerns about the future of their students.”
In his message to the students of the Greek diaspora schools, he added: “You must realise that you are the heirs to a high spiritual culture, which you will be called to safeguard and develop.”
He also referred to new technologies and the Internet. He touched upon the delicate matter of dependence on “smart machines” that work to the detriment of intellectual values.
Finally, the Ecumenical Patriarch declared his support for the efforts and struggle of the children. In conclusion, he urged them to observe the measures for the protection of their health during the current difficult period of the pandemic.