Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia issued a message at the start of the 2026–2027 school year to pupils, students, parents, and teachers, urging young people to combine the acquisition of knowledge with character formation and the cultivation of faith, while emphasising that true wisdom has its source in God.
The Bishop of Southern Bessarabia recalled that school is not merely a place where information is acquired, but also an environment where character is formed, and the value of friendship, responsibility, and respect for one’s neighbour is discovered.
Addressing children and young people, the hierarch encouraged them to study diligently and use the gifts they have received from God for good.
“Do not be afraid of hard work or of moments when the path seems more difficult. Patience, perseverance and honest work will bear fruit at the proper time,” Bishop Veniamin emphasised.
His Grace also highlighted the challenges of the digital world and encouraged young people to exercise discernment when choosing the information they consume and the values they follow.
Parents are a child’s first school
In his message to parents, the Bishop of Southern Bessarabia emphasised that the family remains the first place where children learn faith, responsibility and respect for others.
He encouraged parents to stand by their children not only in moments of success but also when they encounter difficulties, reminding them that a child’s worth is not measured by academic results, but by the person they become.
Bishop Veniamin expressed gratitude to teachers and all those involved in education, noting that their mission extends beyond imparting knowledge to include the spiritual formation of new generations.
In conclusion, the Bishop of Southern Bessarabia prayed that the new school year would be blessed and that schools and universities would remain places of knowledge, dialogue, respect and harmonious coexistence.
Photo: Facebook / Diocese of Southern Bessarabia
