The reopening of the historic Zografeion Lyceum in Istanbul was officially inaugurated on Wednesday evening, October 15, 2025, with a blessing ceremony conducted by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, marking the completion of the first phase of renovation and seismic strengthening works on the building.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of the Hellenic Bank Association, representatives of the member banks, and officials of the Zografeion Lyceum and the Great Community of Stavrodromi (Beyoğlu). Earlier that day, the Ecumenical Patriarch received the HBA Board at the Phanar, expressing his gratitude for their contribution to the restoration works and hosting them at the Patriarchal luncheon.

In his address, Patriarch Bartholomew praised the rapid completion of the first phase of works and the restoration of the building to its original form, after the removal of two floors that had been added in 1962 due to a rise in student numbers. The restoration was deemed essential for the seismic safety of the historic structure.

“We offer praise and thanks to the Almighty God, who blessed and strengthened all who labored for the success of this project,” said His All-Holiness, warmly thanking the Hellenic Bank Association and its chairman for their generous donation. “This contribution is not only material but also moral, as it demonstrates the living concern of its members for our community here.”

He also expressed gratitude to the Great Benefactor of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Mr. Athanasios Martinos, and the Athanassios and Marina Martinos Foundation for their significant support, calling them “worthy successors of the great benefactor Christakis Zografos, who in 1892–1893 funded the construction of the school with 10,000 gold pounds.”

“Today is a day of joy and pride,” the Patriarch added. “The struggle for the education of our Romiosyne continues, albeit under different conditions from those of 1893. The Zografeion remains faithful to the principle that education must always be open to the signs of the times and to the progress of knowledge.”

€800,000 Donation from the Hellenic Bank Association

The inauguration followed the completion of the first phase of renovation and seismic reinforcement works, made possible by a total donation of €800,000 from all Greek banks that are members of the HBA.
Initially set at €500,000, the donation was increased by an additional €300,000 as announced by Gikas Hardouvelis, HBA Chairman and CEO of the National Bank of Greece.

The Greek delegation included:

• George Zanias, Chairman of Eurobank,
• George Taniskidis, Chairman of Optima Bank,
• Vassilis Rapanos, Chairman of the Alpha Bank Cultural Foundation,
• Lazaros Papagaryfallou, Deputy CEO of Alpha Bank,
• Angeliki Bouki, General Manager of Corporate Responsibility at Piraeus Bank,
• Stylianos Iliadis, Chief Retail & Digital Officer of CrediaBank,
• and Charoula Apalagaki, Acting General Manager of the HBA.

“The joy and emotion we feel today at this historic school far exceed the financial value of any donation,” said Hardouvelis. “It is an honor for all Greek banks to help breathe new life into a school that stands as a beacon of Education and Culture for 132 years—deeply intertwined with the roots of Hellenism. The Zografeion remains strong and resilient, and it is our duty to support it so that it continues to inspire learning, creativity, and hope.”

“The Zografeion is my home,” says the Headmaster

Yiannis Demirdzoglou, the long-serving headmaster of the Zografeion Lyceum, expressed heartfelt gratitude:

“My love and emotion for the Zografeion are immense. This is my home—six years as a student, five as a teacher, and thirty-two as headmaster. Of my sixty-five years, forty-three have been within these walls. Today, just as in Christakis Zografos’ time, bankers and benefactors have appeared again with their generous contributions, allowing the Zografeion to continue its illustrious course. Surely, it was by the will of the Virgin Mary of Zographeion that the school still stands, continuing to bring light to the Greek Orthodox community of the City.”

George Papaliaris, President of the Great Community of Stavrodromi, also conveyed his “deep gratitude” to all contributors, emphasizing:

“The completion of this phase marks not the end but the beginning of a new cycle. Our goal is to continue and complete the renovation so that the Zografeion may fully acquire the form and functionality of a modern, competitive school—worthy of the best in the country, proving that the Romiosyne deserves and can achieve excellence. This was the very vision of those who, almost 150 years ago, dreamed of founding the Zografeion and of its great benefactor, Christakis Zografos: to create a school of excellence, values, and Greek Orthodox education.”