Lycée Léonin de Néa Smyrn
The Alumni Association organised – in collaboration with the two Léonins institutes of Greece (Néa Smyrni y Patissia) – the appointment ceremony of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and Primate of the Orthodox Church of Greece Ieronymos II, literature professor at the Lycée Léonin de Néa Smyrni from 1965 to 1968, and his Golden Cross delivery for his virtues and goodness.
The ceremony included the Nuncio of the Holy See, Monsignor Edward Adams,catholic Archbishop of Athens, Reverend Sevastianos Rossolatos and his predecessor Nikolaos. Other participants were six orthodox bishops, the community of the Marist Brothers of Greece, ministers and alumni Mr Kammenos (of national defence) and Mr Tsironis (environment),the representative of the Ministry of Education, many members of the Greek Parliament and the European Parliament, university professors, diplomats, artists, businessmen and many teachers and parents of students.
In his speech, the president of the Marist Mission Council of Greece, Brother Matthieu Levantinos, praised Monsignor Ieronymos and stressed the Marist values that he had promoted as a professor (faith, the presence, regular attendance at work, family spirit, social solidarity…).
Br Matthieu also underscored his commitment in continuing the pedagogical vision of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, like so many other Marists, brothers and laity, in today’s world.
Brother François Kritikos, who was his partner in the LLNS (the Léonins institutes) at the time, spoke of the relationship of Archbishop Ieronymos with his students, stating “it is still as friendly and as close as ever.”
The institution’s director, Catherine Mouzaki, and the president of the Alumni Association, Mr. Mamalis, expressed the same feelings of respect and gratitude.
After receiving the medal, Archbishop Ieronymos thanked the ceremony’s organisers and expressed nostalgia for the years he spent in the Lycée Léonin of Néa Smyrni.
He further noted the importance of the teaching profession and the responsibility that teachers undertake at all levels with young people and, especially, with the poorest.
At the end of his speech, the archbishop spoke of the ecumenical spirit “that always permeates relations between the Orthodox and Catholics” working in the two Marist establishments in Greece, and he appealed to all Christians to continue to work in an atmosphere of mutual respect and to love each other mutually.