The Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos addresses today messages to the students of primary schools, high schools and high schools, as well as to teachers, on the occasion of the start of the new school year.

In particular, the Primate of the Hellenic Church, among other things, fatherly exhorts elementary school students to “Treat your classmates as you want them to treat you. If a child upsets you, instead of arguing with them, it’s better to tell them how you felt about their behavior.”

At the same time, to the high school and high school students, he points out, among other things: “Along with the thirst for knowledge and scientific training, this year let’s once again make our Schools laboratories of peace, lungs of freedom, cradles of fellowship and teamwork. As I read these days, “it’s okay if you don’t win. It’s okay if you don’t fight”.

Finally, in his message to teachers, among other things, he emphasizes: “The ever-increasing special and learning difficulties, student indifference and grade-hunting, low expectations and school dropout, intra-school bullying and racism which unfortunately constitute the modern wounds of our Education, reflect the reality of the Greek family which, helpless and often on the verge of poverty, neglects and is unable to help its children, leaving them literally at the mercy of mobile phones and the alienation of human relationships.

But with these very children, young men and women, you will have the unique opportunity to communicate every day in order to teach them knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, so that with the appropriate motivation they will love life and themselves and then regain their lost interest in research and not sterile passive learning”.

In detail, the messages of Archbishop Hieronymos:

To the students of Primary Schools

On the occasion of the start of the new school year 2024-2025

My beloved children,

Today, with your meetings, voices, laughter and games, you once again brought life to the school premises. With the Consecration, which we have just performed, you asked for and received God’s blessing for the new school year.

You all came to school a year older and are moving to a new class, with the same or new classmates and teachers.

In the classroom you will gain new experiences, knowledge and skills, but you will also face new difficulties.

All this prepares you to do better in life.

Don’t be afraid of difficulties. Believe in yourself. Tell him that he can do it, he just has to try.

When you make mistakes, think about what you learned from each mistake, so you don’t repeat it. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. These are also part of our lives. Remember that mistakes are not made only by Christ, our Lord and God.

Approach your classmates with love. Cooperate with each other with understanding and mutual respect.

Remember that every person is different, but we are all equal to each other as children of the same God the Father.

Treat your classmates as you want them to treat you.

If a child upsets you, instead of arguing with him, it’s better to tell him how you felt about his behavior.

Love truth and justice. Behave with respect to yourself, to other people and to the natural environment, which was created out of love by the Maker and Creator God.

Spend less time on screens and more time on books. Choose children’s series and games that present information, scientific achievements, important values ​​and beauties of life and the world.

Start your day asking God for His help and end your day with a few words of prayer that make you feel God close to you.

I wish from the bottom of my heart a good school year to you, the teachers and the parents, who support you in every step of your life.

With paternal wishes and much love

To the students of Gymnasiums and Lyceums

On the occasion of the start of the new school year 2024-2025

my dear children,

Today is the first day of the new school year and I hear the question of some students: “is it worth it to be here?” What do I have to gain? I dream of a School that provides true education to man, but is this impossible?”

I want to share with you a number: 258,000,000 children and young people all over the world do not have the opportunity to be in school and in safe learning conditions. War, violence, discrimination, lack of financial resources are some of the reasons why the educational process cannot be consistently supported in many geographical areas! What will be the future of these children? The only thing that is certain is that, of course, all these children would prefer to be in your position at this moment. To enjoy the peace, to feel safe and to enjoy a school class.

In an era where we have to re-examine what we take for granted, what we can do is to transform our own School into a center of peace and reconciliation, solidarity and companionship. In a school where violence has absolutely no place.

I don’t know if we can stop wars all over the planet, but we can certainly manage to keep war from invading our own school yard.

School is a place where we meet different people. From how much we are ready to accept each and everyone individually, agreeing or disagreeing with them, but nevertheless accepting their presence, peace or war, love or violence begins.

Along with the thirst for knowledge and scientific training, this year let’s once again make our Schools laboratories of peace, lungs of freedom, cradles of fellowship and teamwork.

As I read these days, “it doesn’t matter if you don’t win. It doesn’t matter if you don’t compete.”

Let us all try, students and educators, to make the acceptance of the other a reality. May each day have the beauty of peace and kindness. May each day have God’s blessing. I wish you that from the bottom of my heart.

Happy and creative new school year!

With infinite wishes and much love

To the Teachers of our Schools

On the occasion of the new school year 2024-2025

Dear educators,

on the occasion of the Consecration of the beginning of the new school year, I would like to contact you, to express both my love and my admiration for your difficult but at the same time beautiful work, that of educating the new generation of students of our country.

I know that your work is becoming more and more difficult, in many times unbearable and financially unprofitable conditions. Indeed, no one became an educator to get rich.

All of you are possessed by a heroic, I would say desire: To help the new generation to be educated, but also to mature emotionally and socially, to acquire healthy ties with the school and the wider community in which they live.

The ever-increasing special and learning difficulties, student indifference and grade hunting, low expectations and school dropout, intra-school bullying and racism which are unfortunately the modern wounds of our Education, reflect the reality of the Greek family which is often helpless á½²s in the limits of poverty, she neglects and is unable to help her children, leaving them literally at the mercy of mobile phones and the alienation of human relationships.

However, it is precisely with these children, young men and women that you will have the unique opportunity to communicate daily in order to teach them knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, so that with the appropriate motivation they will love life and themselves and then find again their lost interest in research and not sterile passive learning.

As your loving spiritual father, I promise you together with all the priests of our parishes that the Church with its rich and living tradition will always be by your side with its innovative educational programs, but above all with the doors and hearts of all of us always open for any help or cooperation you need.

I wish and pray constantly that God gives you strength and health to carry out your precious work while maintaining your fun and joy so that you can give, beyond the teaching methods and analytical programs, your own precious personal tone and experience in the modern educational reality.

Happy and blessed school year!

With sincere appreciation and thanks