Pilgrimage to Lebanon Reveals Vibrant Orthodox School Life, Says Bsp. Thomas

Bsp. Thomas with children in Lebanon. Photo: antiochian.org

CHARLESTON, WV — In December 2025, His Grace Bsp. Thomas of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America completed a spiritual and educational pilgrimage to Lebanon, focusing on Orthodox schools, parishes, and monasteries. Accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Eid of Holy Ascension Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Bsp. Thomas met with hierarchs, clergy, educators, and students to observe Orthodox education in its historical homeland.

The visit included seven Orthodox schools, from kindergarten through college level, where Bsp. Thomas praised the students’ discipline, piety, and multilingual education. He highlighted the strong integration of prayer, liturgical life, and academic rigor, noting that students regularly participate in chanting and weekly Divine Liturgies.

Bsp. Thomas expressed deep gratitude to benefactors and hosts who made the journey possible and emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between Orthodox schools in Lebanon and North America. He described the pilgrimage as life-changing and called on educators and clergy to support and learn from the educational work of the Church in the Middle East.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Netherlands had authorized the teaching of Orthodox Christianity in public schools. 

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