MODERN GREEK LANGUAGE PROGRAM AT THE PONTIFICAL ORIENTAL INSTITUTE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, ROME

For the last ten (10) years, a program has been under implementation, within the framework of the cultural collaboration between Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity: “Modern Language Greek Program and Acquaintance with the Christian Orthodox Tradition and Greek Culture”. Approximately one hundred and eighty (180) students from sixty (60) countries around the world have attended the program these past ten years.

Following a relevant proposal and in its wish to extend its collaboration with the Roman Catholic Church, Apostoliki Diakonia undertook the task of teaching Modern Greek at the Pontifical Oriental Institute Rome, during the spring semester (February-June) of the current academic year.

As noted in the epistle by the Organization ' s General Director, His Eminence Bishop of Fanarion Agathaggelos, to the Reverend Father James McCann, Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Rome, “the history of the world is always open in the hands of the Triadic God and the Paraclete structures the Institution of the Church. […]. For us, collaborating with You, implementing this cultural program, and maintaining communication with the students in the city of Martyrs, is, first and foremost, a labor of love..."

Classes commenced on Friday, February 15, 2013 and are being attended by sixty-five (65) students from various universities in Rome.

Those cultural programs, tangible proof of our Church ' s outreach effort, are implemented with the blessings of his Beatitude Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos ; the approval of Apostoliki Diakonia ' s Central Administration ; and the collaboration of the Center for the Greek Language. The programs are implemented within the framework of the cultural collaboration between the Christian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church and promote the wealth of our Greek Orthodox tradition.