Inauguration of renovated Academy building in Kolymbari

The inauguration of the renovated conference complex of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari is scheduled to take place on 23rd November 2026. The ceremony will be conducted by Theodoros II, the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, who was born as Nikolaos Choreftakis in Choreftiana, Kissamos, in 1954. The complete renovation of the complex, which has an area of 3,100 sq m, was funded by the Public Investment Programme of the Region of Crete with a budget of €3.1 million.

A building with white arches on two floors and covered in scaffolding is seen from the road below a stone wall.
The original building of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari. The façade, for many months clear of building materials, is now once again swathed in scaffolding, no doubt for the application a final coat of paint.

The contract for the renovation was signed on 25th March 2024 and the project is now nearing completion. The works have included replacement of floors, windows and doors, electrical installations, internal changes of use, concrete reinforcement, energy upgrading and landscaping of external areas.

The building was the Academy’s original conference centre, whose construction was completed in 1968 and includes the chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius*, conference and administrative facilities, guest rooms, a library, refectories and a professional kitchen.

The same building in a black and white photo with a 60s style bus in front and no road.
The building seen shortly after its construction, in 1970. Photo: Oac.gr

The date of the inauguration was announced by Amphilochios, Metropolitan of Kissamos and Selino and chairman of the Academy’s management board, at a meeting of the parties involved in the renovation. He described the completion of the works as “a vision of many years which is now becoming a reality and is expected to give new inspiration and life to the Academy”.
(Haniotika Nea, 17/09/26)

*The Saints Cyril and Methodius were Byzantine monks of Greek or Bulgarian origin, born in Thessaloniki in the early 800s, who were noted for the their work in evangelising the Slavs. (Wikipedia)