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GOARCH - August 20, 1998
OFFICIAL NEWS

His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon Responds
to Closing of Chicago's Plato Academy

NEW YORK.-Attached is a letter from His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, addressed to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Chicago, IL. The letter is regarding the church's Plato Academy. The text follows in its entirety.


August 20, 1998

Rev. Protopresbyter George C. Massouras
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
601 S. Central Avenue
Chicago, IL 60644

Dear Protopresbyter George,

I pray that you are well and enjoying all the blessings of the Lord during these latter days of summer.

It has come to my attention that the Plato Academy will not be re-opened this September due to financial difficulties and a lack of adequate student enrollment. I most certainly understand the tremendous financial demands which are placed on a community such as yours which operates a school.

I know that the Plato Academy serves very well the 30 children now enrolled and has a proud history of community service. I applaud you and the entire community for all the dedicated work which you have offered our Church and our children for so many years.

I write to you however, and through you to the entire community, to reconsider the closing of the school. It is my heartfelt desire and vision that we strive to explore ways to keep our schools open and to dedicate even greater faith and creativity to our own children, and a program of outreach to our communities.

As you well know, I have established the Archbishop's Commission on Greek Language and Culture which is currently studying problems which confront communities such as yours. Therefore, in applauding your most worthy work of the past, I can only exhort you to summon the always vital energy of your community in keeping the doors of your school open, and in the upcoming year to work with this commission which will be developing new ideas and formats for our school system.

May the peace, grace, and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ inspire the decisions of your community and always lead you on the path of righteousness.

With heartfelt paternal love in Christ,

[SIGNED]

† SPYRIDON
Archbishop of America

cc: Most Rev. Metropolitan Iakovos
Prof. John Rassias

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