STATEN ISLAND, NY – Classes began on September 27, with the customary blessing service for the Sunday School, the Greek School, and all the youth programs of the Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas parish on Staten Island.
The service was officiated by the presiding priest, Fr. Vasileios Apostolidis, who blessed the students, teachers, and parents for the new school year.
He prayed that Christ would enlighten the teachers so they might impart knowledge with patience and love, and strengthen the parents in the important task of raising their children.
Addressing the students, Fr. Apostolidis wholeheartedly wished them health, progress, and divine enlightenment. He added: “This year, the way our Sunday School operates has changed. Students will first come to church and participate in the Divine Liturgy. After Holy Communion, they will go with their teachers to the classroom for their lesson, which will conclude at the same time the Divine Liturgy ends.”
“Sunday School provides valuable spiritual foundations; however, it is equally important for students to actively participate in the liturgical life of the Church so that they may experience in practice what they are taught,” Fr. Apostolidis noted.
Greek School Principal Stavroula Champakis, shared the following message with The National Herald: “It is with great joy and emotion that we welcome the new school year.”
“Our school is opening its doors once again, ready to welcome its students,” she continued. “Through words, celebrations, history, and songs, we will journey to Greece once more.”
“Our goal is not merely to teach the language, but to keep the flame of tradition and the Greek spirit alive in all our hearts,” the principal noted. “We wish all the children a creative, enlightened year filled with smiles.”
The Sunday School coordinator, Koula Nuzzo, wholeheartedly wished students, parents, and teachers a blessed, creative, and enlightened school year.
The coordinator of the basketball and volleyball programs, Archontoula Panteleaki, announced the schedule of sessions: Monday: 6-7:30 (Junior Girls), 7:30-9 (Girls’ Volleyball); Tuesday: 6-7:30 (Team G2); Wednesday: 6-7:30 (Team B1), 7:30-9 (Girls’ Volleyball); Thursday: 6:30-8 (Team B3) and 8-9:30 (Boys’ Team).