Thousands of students visit Constantinople
by the teacher Maria Dimou
Over the past ten days, the city has been flooded with young children, boys and girls, who have arrived here to participate in the two conferences organised by the Zografeion Lyceum. Students of all grades, accompanied by their teachers, after filling the school’s hall to capacity and presenting their work, poured out onto the streets of Pera, visited historical monuments and museums, took a boat ride on the Bosphorus, made their way to the Theological School of Halki and of course paid homage to the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, Phanar and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
I had the pleasure of helping some of them and accompanying them on some of their visits. I responded to their call and shared with them the enthusiasm and love for the City of Constantinople. I was able to talk to them about the Greek identity of the City, not only about its historical course but also about the Greeks of the city, today. As well as about the schools, the communities, the churches. To listen to their questions and help them understand, even if only vaguely, the difficulties experienced by a minority but also the possibilities that can be exploited to its benefit.
To show them neighbourhoods that are almost never on the program of such excursions and to lead them to small churches that many are unaware of even existing. To enjoy hymns in a completely quiet church and to enter the Patriarchal church at the appropriate time and with the help of the Grand Archdeacon Father Alexander to be guided through the Patriarchal Library and see manuscripts and rare books that are kept there.
All these days, however, I think about how much more beneficial it would be, both for themselves and for the Greeks of the City, if there was central planning and instead of everyone gathering at the same time at the Phanar, they could perhaps split up and visit as many communities and churches as possible. Instead of everyone gathering for the Greetings at the Patriarchal Church, with only a few people getting in and the rest wandering tired and disappointed in the alleys or looking for the bus to leave, wouldn’t it be better in the next tour to guide them to churches of the Golden Horn, Pera, Tataoula, Bosphorus or elsewhere, to fill the churches even for a day, for the children to come into contact with the people of the Community, to talk, to discuss, to feel the real hospitality of the city? To get to know what it means to be a Greek of Constantinople and why not become the beginning of a deep relationship and communication?
These children are currently returning to their homeland much richer than when they arrived. But their journey could last beyond their days in Constantinople. It could be the beginning of another relationship that would bring joy and life to both the visitors and the hosts.
Source: fosfanariou.gr
