Michael Leptos, Chairman of Neapolis University meets Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople.

The project of re-opening the Theological School of Halki reached a milestone last week when a team from the Neapolis University of Paphos, who had undertaken the landscaping of the School Gardens, gave a presentation of the completed structure at a ceremony attended by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew .

 Prior to the presentation, the team from Cyprus, led by Leptos Group founder and Neapolis University of Paphos board chairman Michael Leptos, attended a church service at the Patriarchal Church of St. George (Ayios Georgios) at Fanari, Constantinople, during which His Holiness read out a message for the day of prayers for the welfare and protection of natural habitat.

Bishop of Proussa and Prior of the Holy Monastery of Saint Trinity of Halki, Elpidoforos, also a Professor at the Aristotelion University of Salonica, who leads the efforts  to reinstate the operation of the Theological School of Halki, expressed his sincere gratitude and satisfaction for the work carried out by the workgroup, and presented  Michael Leptos, the Professor of Landscape Architecture and Director of European and Research Projects and project leader Dr. Julia Georgi, and Architect Heleni Antonara, as well as the other members of the workgroup,  with commemorative gifts.

The official public presentation of the project by Dr. Julia Georgi took place at the Ceremony Hall of the Holy Theological School of Halki, during which Dr. Georgi and the team pointed out the importance of the landscaping project, which aims at combining and enhancing the surrounding area of the school by establishing a strong link to its long and important history, thanks to which it is often referred to as the “Lighthouse of Orthodoxy”.

Mr. Leptos expressed his gratitude to His Eminence and in an emotional turn, also presented him with a gift on behalf of the Neapolis University. His Eminence stated that he was grateful to Mr. Leptos for the successful completion of the project, and expressed his belief that the relation established between the Patriarchy of Constantinople and the Neapolis University of Paphos, is set to continue in the future, offering more opportunities to promote Orthodoxy.

Special reference should also be made to the representatives of the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association who were present, or the “AHEPANS” as they are known, led by their President Mr. Plocamakis, who congratulated His Eminence for his efforts to re-open the Holy Theological School of Halki, as well as the Neapolis University of Paphos for their outstanding contribution.