The Patriarchal Great School of the Genus, in its statement, refutes as inaccurate the reports, which erroneously speak of the closure of the school, by some media which choose to present the issue of its temporary relocation “with exaggerations or inaccuracies, possibly attempting to exploit a purely technical issue”.

“Any report of a “lockdown”, “evacuation” or “suspension” does not correspond to reality” is noted in the announcement of the management of the Great School of the Nation, which “continues its operation without interruption, faithful to its mission and historical heritage”.

“The Great School of the Genus has never sought, nor does it allow its name to be used for other purposes” is underlined, among other things, in the announcement.

The announcement also emphasizes that “temporary relocation is a sign of responsibility and respect for its students and staff and not an interruption of the educational process.”

The publications referring to the management of the Great School of the Genus saw the light of day after the announcement, last month, that this historic educational institution, with an uninterrupted contribution of 571 years to Greek Education, will be temporarily relocated, because the 19th century building in which it is housed in Fanari, needs to be strengthened in order to strengthen its stability, in the face of an earthquake that may affect the Istanbul.

In detail, in the announcement made public by the School’s management, it is noted:

“On the occasion of the recent publications that have seen the light of day and which present inaccurately, and in some cases incorrectly, the situation of the Patriarchal Great School of the Genus, we consider it appropriate to provide responsible and substantial information to the Community, the graduates and all those interested in this historic Institution.

“The School, under the supervision and with the financial support of the Ministry of Education of Turkey, carried out studies on the stability of its historic building. The conclusion of the studies demonstrated the need to strengthen the static, in order to ensure the absolute safety of students, teachers and staff. The required work, due to its nature, cannot be carried out during the normal operation of the School. For this reason, a temporary relocation to a building that fully meets modern earthquake resistance and suitability standards has been deemed necessary.

“It should be noted that any reference to a “lockdown”, “evacuation” or “suspension” does not correspond to reality. The School continues its operation without interruption, faithful to its mission and historical heritage. The temporary relocation is a sign of responsibility and respect for its students and staff and not an interruption of the educational process.

»We regret to note that some media choose to present the issue with exaggerations or inaccuracies, possibly attempting to exploit a purely technical issue. The Great School of the Genus has never sought, nor allows its name to be used for any other purpose.

»It is reminded that the only valid source of information regarding matters of the School is the Directorate and the School Ephorate. Any other information may not correspond to the reality and thus damage the prestige and historical mission of the Foundation.

“The Patriarchal Great School of the Genus, with a history of more than five centuries, continues uninterruptedly the work of education and culture, faithful to its traditions and respecting the institutional principles to which it belongs. With the support of Omogenia and all those who respect its historical path, it will come out of this ordeal stronger and safer.”

The impressive red brick building of the Patriarchal Great School of the Genus, which dominates over the Keratios Gulf, was built in the two years 1881-1883 on a plot of land that formerly belonged to Dimitrios Kantemir to designs by the architect Constantinos Dimadis. It is the oldest operating Greek educational institution. It was founded after the Fall of Constantinople, by Patriarch Gennadius Scholarios in 1454, as a continuation of the Ecumenical Patriarchal School founded in the 4th century by Constantine the Great.