“A child who knows where they come from will always know where they are going.”
About the School
The Romanian School of Malta is an integral part of the life of our parish — a place where the youngest members of our community discover not only their Orthodox faith, but also their Romanian identity, language, and cultural heritage.
We established the school in response to a simple but profound reality: many of our children were born here in Malta, are growing up in English-speaking schools, and have never lived in Romania. Without a dedicated space to learn and celebrate who they are, the language of their grandparents, the stories of their people, and the traditions of their faith risk being quietly forgotten.
Our school is more than a classroom. It is a community within a community — a warm and welcoming space where children grow in faith, friendship, and a love for everything that makes them uniquely Romanian.
Classes are led by dedicated volunteer teachers from within our parish community, under the pastoral guidance of Fr. George Alexandru Popescu. Lessons are held in conjunction with Sunday parish life, making it easy for families to combine worship and learning in a single visit each week.
We welcome children of all ages — from the youngest toddlers taking their first steps in faith, to teenagers preparing for a deeper personal encounter with God and their heritage.
What We Teach
Our curriculum is built around three pillars:
✝️ Orthodox Faith & Catechism
Children are introduced to the beauty of Orthodox Christianity in an age-appropriate and engaging way. Topics include:
- The life of Jesus Christ and the Holy Apostles
- The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Church
- The lives of the Saints — with special attention to Romanian saints such as St. Stephen the Great, St. Dimitrie Basarabov, and St. John the New of Suceava
- The meaning of icons, liturgy, fasting, and prayer
- The Orthodox liturgical year — its feasts, fasts, and seasons
- How to pray — individually, with family, and within the Church
🇷🇴 Romanian Language & Literature
For children growing up in Malta, the Romanian language is the living thread connecting them to their family, their roots, and two millennia of civilization. Our language classes cover:
- Reading and writing in Romanian, adapted to each child’s level
- Romanian poetry, folk tales, and literature
- Spoken Romanian for everyday life and family communication
- Romanian proverbs and sayings — windows into the wisdom of the people
🎭 Romanian History, Culture & Traditions
Romania has a rich and fascinating history, and her folk traditions are among the most vibrant in all of Europe. Our cultural programme includes:
- Romanian history from the Dacians to the present day
- Traditional Romanian holidays: Mărțișor, Dragobete, Easter traditions, Christmas colinde (carols)
- Romanian folk music, dance, and crafts
- The geography and regions of Romania — Transylvania, Moldavia, Wallachia, Dobrogea
- Romanian national symbols, values, and celebrations
Activities
Learning at the Romanian School of Malta goes far beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, children take part in a wide range of activities that bring their faith and culture to life:
- 🎄 Christmas Celebrations — children learn and perform traditional Romanian colinde (carols) and participate in the Nativity story
- 🥚 Pascha (Easter) Workshops — egg-decorating in the Romanian tradition (încondeiat ouăle), learning the meaning of the Resurrection
- 🌸 Mărțișor Crafts — celebrating the arrival of spring with the beloved Romanian tradition of handmade red-and-white tokens
- 📖 Storytelling & Drama — bringing Romanian folk tales and the lives of the saints to life through performance
- 🎨 Icon Art — children are introduced to the art and theology of Orthodox iconography through guided creative sessions
- 🌍 Cultural Day Events — celebrating Romanian national days and heritage within the broader Maltese community
- 🧁 Parish Feast Day (June 23) — children play a central role in the annual celebration of the Birth of St. John the Baptist, our parish patron
- 📚 End-of-Year Showcase — families are invited to a special presentation where children share what they have learned throughout the year through song, recitation, art, and prayer
Registration
We warmly invite all families in the Romanian and Moldovan community in Malta — as well as any families with an interest in Orthodox faith and Romanian culture — to enroll their children in our school.
Who Can Enroll?
- Children aged 4 to 16 years
- Children of Romanian or Moldovan heritage living in Malta
- Children from mixed families wishing to connect with Orthodox faith and Romanian roots
- Any child whose family wishes to provide a grounding in Orthodox Christian values
How to Register
Registration is simple. Please contact Fr. George Alexandru Popescu directly to express your interest and arrange an introductory meeting:
📞 +356 7732 8474
📘 facebook.com/parohiamalta
We will discuss your child’s age, language level, and any specific needs, and welcome you into our school community.
Practical Details
- 📅 Classes are held on Sundays, following Divine Liturgy
- 📍 Location: St. Roque’s Church, St. Ursula Street, Valletta
- 💶 Fees: Classes are offered free of charge as a service to the community. Voluntary donations to support materials and activities are always gratefully received.
- 🗣 Languages of instruction: Romanian and English
A Word to Parents
We understand that raising children with a strong sense of faith and identity in a foreign country is both a joy and a challenge. The Romanian School of Malta exists to support you in that beautiful and important task.
You do not need to be a regular churchgoer to enroll your child. You do not need to speak perfect Romanian. You simply need a desire to give your child roots — and the courage to take the first step.
We look forward to meeting your family.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6