His Eminence Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia officiated the blessing ceremony commemorating the start of the new school year on Saturday visiting the facilities of the Grekiska Skolan following an invitation by the school administration. Metropolitan Cleopas congratulated the Chairperson of the School Board Mr. George Constantinou on his dedicated service and hailed the tireless efforts of the Chairperson and the faculty, which are justified by the large number of students that the school has to display. The number of students for the current school year has risen to over 400, with 78 new students having registered. Speaking to the faculty, which totals 18 instructors, two of which are on loan from Greece, with the remaining instructors being permanent residents of Sweden, Metropolitan Cleopas emphasized the importance of the duties they have assumed for the preservation and propagation of the Greek language, and the spreading of Hellenic culture. At the conclusion of his address, Metropolitan Cleopas cited the excellent collaboration between the School and local Church and the constant support offered by the latter, noting that the Church offers its complete assistance in the continuous effort to obtain knowledge, as well as the tireless struggle and ever present mindfulness to preserve and pass on the Hellenic Christian spirit in Scandinavia.