Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended the award ceremony for postgraduate students of Greek Diaspora origin at the Patriarchal Great School of the Nation on Friday, May 17, 2024. He also delivered a speech as part of the “Honoring our Teachers of Constantinople” Program, initiated by Byron Nikolaidis, founder and president of the PeopleCert Group.
In his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch commended Nikolaidis on the program, which was in its second year, and congratulated all the participants. He highlighted the significance of the ceremony taking place at the historic Patriarchal Great School of the Nation, emphasizing the role of education in revitalizing the community following the Fall of Constantinople.
The Patriarch expressed his appreciation for the recognition given to three late professors of Diaspora schools, as scholarships were established in their honor. He also praised the postgraduate students who were awarded scholarships and honorary distinctions by the Evaluation Committee of the Scholarship Program.
Emphasizing the importance of education, the Patriarch referenced Greek antiquity and Plato’s concept of education as the soul’s pursuit of the good. He underscored the integration of scientific knowledge and humanistic values, highlighting the challenges of imparting moral and intellectual culture to the new generation.
The Patriarch cautioned against dismissing spiritual and religious education or pitting science against faith, advocating for a harmonious relationship between knowledge and faith. He envisioned a future where individuals seek meaning in life through a combination of science, spirituality, philosophy, and art.
In conclusion, the Patriarch called upon the honored young individuals to embrace the values instilled by their education and emphasized the importance of self-transcendence and meaningful relationships in the journey of life.
The event also included speeches from various dignitaries, including Byron Nikolaidis, Dimitrios Zotos, Nikolaos Ouzounoglou, Pavlos Pantelaras, Rika Bekiari-Pantelara, and Georgios Doukidis.
The event was coordinated by journalist Andreas Robopoulos. The Hierarchs of the Throne, clergy, Archons of the Great Church of Christ, along with Ambassadors Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, and Ioannis-Miltiadis Nikolaidis, Permanent Representative of Greece to NATO, were present at the event. Photos from the event can be viewed below.
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