In a message to all students, parents and teachers in pre-university education, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel conveyed his patriarchal blessings on the beginning of the new school year 2020-2021.
The patriarch reminded of the decision of the Holy Synod to declare 2020 as solemn year of the pastoral care of parents and children in the Romanian Patriarchate.
In his message, the Patriarch stressed that “education is the fundamental priority of any society that wants the spiritual development and material prosperity of the people” and presented the role of the Family, the Church and the School in the bringing-up of children.
Blessing for family and school at the beginning of the school year: full text
With parental love, we bless all students, parents, teachers and professors in pre-university education system, at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declared 2020 a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of parents and children. Through this initiative, both parents and children are helped to cultivate mutual love in the family and to value faith and education as the main lights of life in society.
Education is the fundamental priority of any society that wants the spiritual development and material prosperity of the people. In the development of an authentic education for life, the Family, the Church and the School are called to offer children the help necessary for their development both personally and communally, at the urging of the wise King Solomon: “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. … For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life” (Proverbs 6: 20, 23).
In a world marked by individualistic and secularizing ideological tendencies, which weaken family unity and social peace, it is essential to cultivate a stable bond and fruitful cooperation between Family, Church and School.
In the Family and in the Church, physical and spiritual parents are called to teach children love of God and fellow people, friendship, solidarity, diligence, generosity and gratitude, to encourage them to discover the joy of play and knowledge, but also the beauties of nature and Romanian culture.
At the School, the professors who teach the various educational disciplines are appreciated when they offer students a motivating, active and creative learning. In addition to the knowledge needed to pass the national exams, a good school teaches children and young people to cultivate freedom and responsibility, but also to know the Romanian and European spiritual and cultural values.
Due to the pandemic, the beginning of this school year is taking place in a very difficult period as regards individual and collective health. Therefore, especially at school, the sanitary rules for protecting the health of students and teachers must be carefully observed.
As in previous years, at the beginning of this new school year, parishes will continue to help students from disadvantaged families with school supplies. This material help is additional to the 5,000 tablets already offered by our Church to many children in disadvantaged areas.
On the occasion of the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, we pray to God to protect all students, parents, teachers and professors, to give them good health and much help, peace and joy, so that their work may be a blessing for the family, the school. and for the entire Romanian people!
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
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