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Students of the Theological School of Balamad in Kalamariatranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

Twenty-two students led by the professor and head of the boarding school of the School of Archimandrite Damascenes, were welcomed by the Most Reverend Metropolitan Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria at the Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos Aretsous-Derkon, on Thursday July 9th. The meeting was also attended by Protopresbyter Athanasios Gikas, Dean of the Theological School of A.P.Th.

The students were initially guided by the head of the Church, Archimandrite Dionysios Papanastasiou, to the premises of the Holy Church and were informed about the activities of the Parish, and then the Pastor welcomed the distinguished guests with warm words of love and fraternity, expressed his admiration for the martyred Church of Antioch, which lifts the Cross of persecutions with hope and he concluded by saying "Church that adds new martyr blood to the sacrifice of the First Martyr Great Martyr Jesus, will not be lost, will not be extinguished, no matter how much its enemies want to achieve this.

This Church will rise from the grave and grow, because it has the grace of Christ, the protection of the Mother of God and the embassies of Her Martyrs."

Towards departure...

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💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Emma Mitchell

Nice to see the Balamand students visiting our cathedral in Kalamariá. I especially liked how Metropolitan Justin spoke about the Church of Antioch carrying her cross with hope — that part about adding new martyr’s blood to Christ’s own sacrifice really stayed with me. Praying they all return home strengthened.

Sarah Anderson

The tour of St Nicholas church with Fr Dionysios sounded really well organised. I hadn't heard the Metropolitan's full quote about the Antiochian Church before — that line about not being lost no matter what the enemies try stuck with me too. Nice to see the Balamand group and the Thessaloniki dean there as well.

Katherine Johnson

The bit about the students getting a proper tour of St Nicholas from Fr Dionysios before the Metropolitan spoke really stood out — sounds like they got to see how a living parish actually runs. The quote about the Antiochian Church adding new martyr’s blood to Christ’s sacrifice and still rising from the tomb is powerful; it’s a reminder we’re all connected in that same hope.

Christopher Wilson

The tour with Fr Dionysios before the Metropolitan spoke makes sense — you want the students to see how a real parish runs day to day, not just hear nice words. That line Metropolitan Justin used about the Church of Antioch adding new martyr’s blood to Christ’s own sacrifice stayed with me too. Good to see Balamand still sending groups over.

Тамара Семёнова

It’s good that the students first walked around the church with Father Dionysius and saw how the parish actually lives, and not just listened to the words. I especially remember Metropolitan Justin’s phrase about the new martyr’s blood that the Antiochian Church adds to the sacrifice of Christ. Here in Minsk we also often pray for our persecuted brothers.

Sophia Turner

The tour did look well put together. I especially liked how the Metropolitan tied the Antiochian Church’s suffering straight to the blood of the First Martyr — that part about rising from the tomb really stayed with me too. Have you ever visited any of the Antiochian parishes around here?

Nicholas Morris

The bit about the students getting a proper tour of the parish first is spot on — Fr Dionysios always shows people the kitchen and the catechism rooms, not just the icons. That line from Metropolitan Justin about the new martyr’s blood really hit me too; it’s the sort of thing you remember when you’re praying for Antioch at home. Have you been over to Balamand yourself, Christopher?

Xenia Walker

Yes, that tour always includes the kitchen and the catechism rooms — Fr Dionysios told us last year how the Sunday school kids helped repaint the walls there. The Metropolitan’s words about the Church rising from the tomb stayed with me too. I haven’t made it to Balamand yet; is the monastery guest wing still open for short stays?

Basil Young

Yes, the kitchen stop is always a highlight — Fr Dionysios even let the students sample some of the koulouria they bake for coffee hour. I’ve stayed in the Balamand guest wing a couple times; it’s still open, though they prefer you book ahead in summer. Have you thought about going during the quieter fall semester?

Laura Lewis

The kitchen stop does sound like the best part — those fresh koulouria with coffee hour must have been a treat for the students. I’ve never stayed at the Balamand guest wing myself, but my daughter visited the school a few years back and said the same about booking ahead. Do you usually go in the fall?