St. Thomas School Begins New Ecclesiastical Year
The Cherry Hill Sunday school has officially launched its 2026-2027 academic session for local youth.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Religion — General
The Orthodox Faith Sunday School at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill has commenced its 2026-2027 ecclesiastical year. The program currently serves 139 registered students ranging from toddlers to high school seniors.
Why it matters
This ministry aims to nurture Orthodox Christian faith among the youth while strengthening connections within the local parish families. Participation in the program also encourages community service, including recent efforts to provide meals for those in need.
The school program has reached an enrollment of 139 students for the 2026-2027 ecclesiastical year. This figure encompasses a broad demographic ranging from toddlers up to high school seniors.
The players
Varah Kappatos
Varah Kappatos serves as the director of the Orthodox Faith Sunday School at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church.
St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church
Located in Cherry Hill, this parish serves as the host institution for the Orthodox Faith Sunday School and its associated youth ministry initiatives.
The details
The school has implemented a new religious education curriculum provided by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Outside of the classroom, students have been active in the FOCUS ministry, providing meals to individuals in the community.
Timeline
The 2026-2027 ecclesiastical year is currently underway.
Culture Shift
The implementation of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America curriculum follows a national movement to standardize religious education for children. This transition reflects a broader shift toward centralized, modern instructional materials within parish-based educational programs.
Local families with children from toddlers to high school seniors are now actively participating in the updated religious curriculum at the Cherry Hill facility. This program influences the daily schedule of students and encourages youth participation in community-based meal service.
The takeaway
Parents can prioritize consistent attendance to ensure children fully benefit from the updated curriculum materials introduced this year. Engaging with parish ministries like FOCUS provides students with practical opportunities to apply lessons through local service projects.
Further reading
For more information on regional faith initiatives, visit the Religion — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The National Herald.
