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Visit of Roman Catholic students-Vatican officials to the Holy Synodtranslated

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

Today, Thursday July 9, 2026, 25 Roman Catholic student-executives of the Vatican from 20 countries visited the Offices of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. Following the initiative of the General Director of the Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece, His Eminence Metropolitan Phanarios Mr. Agathangelos, the Program "Learning the Greek language - getting to know the Orthodox tradition and Greek culture" began in 2005. In the framework of this Program, which is implemented with the cooperation of the Apostolic Ministry of the Church of Greece and the General Secretariat of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports, the students are hosted for a month at the Theological Boarding School of the Apostolic Ministry, are taught the Greek language for four hours every day and visit Holy Metropolises, Temples and Museums.

The students were welcomed in the Hall of the Great Synod by the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, the Most Holy Bishop of Skiathos Mr. Ioannis, who welcomed them with warm words and spoke to them about the work of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and the common problems of all Christians. Finally, he offered to…

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Nicholas MorrisNice to see the program still going strong since 2005. Four hours of Greek every day plus all those monastery and museum visits sounds like a solid month for those Vatican students. Good on Bishop Ioannis for taking the time to explain the Synod’s work and the things all Christians face.

Nicolae ConstantinescuThis is a beautiful program that has been running since 2005. Four hours of Greek daily plus visits to monasteries and museums must be tiring, but surely something remains in their heads. I am glad that Bishop Ioannis spoke to them about the common affairs of all Christians, not only about the Greek ones.

Christopher WilsonThe program’s still running after all these years — that’s impressive. Four hours of Greek a day on top of all the church and museum trips must leave those young Catholics with a pretty good picture of how we do things. Glad Bishop Ioannis spoke to them about what Christians everywhere actually share.

Αντώνης ΠαπαγεωργίουGood program that has been running since 2005 and brings young people from so many places. The four hours of Greek every day along with visits to Metropolises and museums is hard work, but something is definitely left. I am glad that Bishop Ioannis also spoke to them about the common problems of all Christians, that counts more.

Παναγιώτης ΝικολαΐδηςIt's good that the program has continued since 2005. The four hours of Greek every day along with the visits to Metropolises and museums are quite heavy, but they definitely have the Orthodox tradition. I am glad that Bishop Ioannis also spoke about the common problems of all Christians.

Μιχάλης ΠαναγιωτόπουλοςI agree, the program has been going strong since 2005 and it shows continuity. Visits to museums and Metropolises I think stay longer than the lessons, especially when you see images and functions up close. You, Panagiotis, have you ever been to something similar or do you know someone who participated?

Ηλίας ΠαναγιωτόπουλοςYes, the program is indeed holding strong, Michael, and the continuity since 2005 shows serious work. I have not been, but a cousin from Patras who worked in the Apostolic Ministry told me that the students are more impressed by the Virgin of Tinos than by the verbs. How do you know that so well?

Δέσποινα ΧατζήYes, I agree, four hours of Greek every day is quite demanding, especially with so many visits. On the other hand, when you spend a month at the Apostolic Ministry Boarding School, I think that the daily contact with the Orthodox tradition is what ultimately stays with them the most. You, Panagiotis, how do you see this after so many years of running the program?

Ελένη ΧατζήYes, your cousin is right, Elias. The students from the Vatican who are hosted every year at the Boarding School often tell me that Our Lady of Tinos is unforgettable for them, much more than the grammar lessons. Have you ever been to see what the program looks like up close?

Χριστίνα ΝικολαΐδουNot yet, Helen, but I'm seriously thinking about it this summer. My cousin says that the visit to Tinos is always in the last week and that the students are impressed by how calmly they pray in front of the image. Did you ever go to see them at the Boarding School?

Βασίλης ΑθανασίουYes, you said it right Ilias, the Virgin of Tinos stays in their minds more than the verbs. Your cousin from Patras who worked there surely knows. What do you think, does this program ultimately help bring Roman Catholics closer to Orthodoxy, or does it only remain in the picture?

Ηλίας ΠαναγιωτόπουλοςYes, Despina, the four hours of language are indeed heavy when the visits are running, but as you say, the daily life at the Boarding School is what they have left. After all these years I see that most people leave with a true appreciation for Orthodox worship, not just the lessons. Have you met any of the old students who came back?

Νίκη ΧατζήNo, I didn't get to go through the Boarding School this year, but I remember last year when I went with my daughter and they showed us how they learn Greek songs. Tinos in the last week is really special, I went two years ago and I was also impressed by their quietness in front of the picture. Are you finally going?

Αντώνης ΟικονόμουThe program has actually been around since 2005 and that shows it's no fluke. Your cousin from Patras is right about Our Lady of Tinos, but I think that the visit to the Holy Synod also gives them a more serious picture of how our Church works in practice. Have you, Michael, met any of these students personally?

Ηλίας ΧατζήςNot yet Eleni, but this year I'm thinking of going one day to see the Greek class and after the visit to Tinos. My cousin says that children keep asking about how we celebrate the Virgin Mary in our villages, not just about grammar. How do you find the meals they serve at the Boarding School?

Νίκη ΧατζήYes Vassili, I think it helps, if only a little. My cousin from Patras used to say that after the program some Roman Catholics came again alone to Orthodox services. Have you seen something similar in Tinos?

Θεοδώρα ΑντωνίουYes Vasilis, I think the program leaves something deeper than tourism. My son had helped out at the Theological Boarding School last year and he said that several students stayed in the church for hours after class, without being told. Have you ever been to such meetings?

Δήμητρα ΑθανασίουNo, I didn't get to go to Boarding School this year, but I loved that you mentioned the songs – my high school daughter still hums them since we went together last year. I was most impressed with the quietness in Tinos, as if time stops in front of the image. Are you going this year?

Χριστίνα ΝικολαΐδουYes, Niki, I too have heard similar things from acquaintances in Larissa. Some of these students then continue to message to ask about holidays or saints. How do you see it, do you think the language is the strongest part of the program?