Church of Greece marks 20 years teaching Greek to Rome’s pontifical students

ATHENS, Greece | The Church of Greece is marking the 20th anniversary of a program that introduces students from Rome’s pontifical universities to the Greek language, Greek Orthodox culture and the ecclesiastical tradition of Greece. More than 600 young theologians have taken part since its launch.

Many alumni of the Program for the Study of the Greek Language and Familiarization with Greek Orthodox Culture, organized by Apostoliki Diakonia, now serve as clergy of the Roman Catholic Church. Several hold senior positions at the Vatican.

Over the past two decades, the initiative has grown beyond language instruction, bringing young theologians from around the world into direct contact with Greece, its history and the liturgical and theological tradition of