On Wednesday, February 7, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Paideia Classical Academy in Coconut Creek, FL. Paideia Classical Academy is an Orthodox Classical School serving pre-school through 12th grade, established in 2012. It is a school ministry of Apostolic Mission of Christ Church in Miami, FL. Paideia is the only Orthodox classical school in the state, spanning 10 beautiful acres in sunny South Florida.
His Eminence was warmly greeted by the academy’s students, teachers, and staff. Students lined up at the entrance of the school with rose petals and handheld bells, eager to welcome the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, who was accompanied by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. Hieromonk Felipe (Balingit; current school chaplain), Hieromonk Marcos (Cantillano-Calderon; abbot of Monasterio de San Antonio el Grande in Río Negro, Nicaragua), and Reader Alexander were the first to greet His Eminence and the holy icon.
Following this warm welcome, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the school’s St. Luke the Evangelist Chapel. The choir consisted of students and staff led by Dr. Paola Weber, the school director. Those in attendance were able to venerate and pray before the wonderworking icon. At the end of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas spoke to the students and encouraged them to be good Orthodox Christians by loving God, their parents, and each other.
After the kissing of the cross, the students, parents, teachers, and staff followed the clergy in a procession to the north side of the school property, where the new St. Luke the Evangelist Church and school building with eight additional classrooms will be built. His Eminence blessed the land in the presence of the Kursk Root Icon.
A luncheon followed in the Great Hall, where Metropolitan was able to spend time with school staff and students. At the end of the school day His Eminence was able to speak to many students as they were dismissed from classes. This visit brought much joy to all. The Kurst Root Icon of the Mother of God filled the school community with much grace, peace and love. O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
