“At the Cathedral School of Manhattan, We Create Philhellenes”
The director of the Greek-American Cathedral School of Manhattan, Meropi Kyriakou, speaks to Kathimerini about efforts to strengthen Greek education in the “heart” of New York.
By Vicky Katechaki | February 1, 2025
The sounds of Manos Hadjidakis fill the event hall of the Greek American Cathedral School of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York, as the young students captivate their audience. At the only school in Manhattan where Greek has a place among the core subjects, every national holiday is an opportunity to highlight the value of Greek culture and history.
The school itself, which operates under the supervision of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, carries a long history. It was founded in 1949 on 74th Street near Fifth Avenue, originally serving the children of immigrants arriving in New York from Civil War-era Greece. Today, the majority of students learning Greek at the school do so without having Greek heritage.
Meropi Kyriakou took on the role of director of the Cathedral School of Manhattan to contribute to the promotion of the Greek language and culture. “Most parents choose our school because they want their children to have an interaction with ancient Greek culture, philosophy, and traditions. I believe that this interest from foreign nations in our country is something we Greeks must acknowledge,” Kyriakou tells Kathimerini.
Having moved from Athens to New York in 2012, Kyriakou first worked at other schools before accepting the role of director at the Cathedral School four years ago. Her tenure began during the pandemic, a time when the school itself was facing a crisis. “The school’s revival was possible thanks to a strong team of educators and significant support from the school committee. When I took over, we had only 23 students. Today, we have reached 78, starting from pre-kindergarten up to the 8th grade, which corresponds to the third year of middle school in the Greek educational system,” explains Kyriakou. “Our school is considered a ‘boutique’ private school in New York, meaning small class sizes with a strong educational foundation to prepare students for admission to top high schools and universities in the U.S..”
A Bridge to Greece
Subjects such as science, history, and mathematics are taught in English, but what sets the Cathedral School apart from other American institutions is that Greek is a core subject, taught daily in all grades. Students compete in Greek language proficiency exams, reaching B1 level certification from the Center for the Greek Language. “Greek instruction starts in pre-kindergarten, where children learn vocabulary and songs, and continues into elementary and middle school with exams in Greek language proficiency,” Kyriakou explains. “At the middle school level, students also study ancient Greek literature and Latin, taught by a Greek professor, Ms. Efi Kitsanta.”
For children of Greek descent, the decision to enroll in the Cathedral School is often emotional. “Many Greek-American parents may not even speak Greek themselves or may know very little, yet they want their children to serve as a bridge to Greece, maintaining their cultural identity. They care about giving their children this exposure—to learn the language, celebrate Greek national holidays, and march in the parade on Fifth Avenue.”
“At our school, we create Philhellenes. And this happens naturally, through teaching,” Kyriakou emphasizes.
She describes the core values the school aims to instill: “Universalism, friendship, love, and family values. It’s difficult for students to experience these things in a big city like New York, but they absorb them from their school environment.”
Although most of the school’s teachers are American, Kyriakou says the Greek influence within the school also impacts them. “You see that not only do they adapt, but they begin to love what they witness around them. I remember last year when the students recited Elytis in a beautifully dramatized presentation—not only the Greek students, but all the students. It was an incredibly powerful moment that moved all the teachers.”
The School Choir at Radio City Music Hall
Kyriakou is particularly proud of the school choir, directed by two Greek music teachers, Theodoros Albanos and G. Asimakopoulos. “Last Christmas, for the first time, our students opened the ‘Christmas Spectacular’ show at Radio City Music Hall, one of the biggest annual holiday music performances in New York.” Video of School Choir at Radio City Music Hall here.
As the Cathedral School celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, the administration and teaching staff are planning a major event in May, bringing together alumni, past and present. Additionally, for the first time in many years, they are organizing a school trip to Greece for 8th-grade students and their families. “It will be an educational trip to Athens, but we will also visit other places like Thessaloniki or Delphi,” Kyriakou says. “The students’ and parents’ interest focuses on ancient Greek civilization. It sparks their curiosity and gives them a reason to learn more. We are really looking forward to this trip.”
Conclusion
The Cathedral School of Manhattan continues to serve as a beacon of Greek education in New York, offering small, high-quality classes while fostering an environment where students—whether of Greek heritage or not—develop a deep appreciation for Greek culture, language, and history.
Original Greek – here
