Supporting your Preschooler's Orthodox Christian Education!
OrthodoxFaithandLearning.org is an offering of St. Nicholas Academy in Bethlehem, PA. Content is offered for free with faith that our Lord will provide Orthodox Christian preschool students with an ongoing connection with their faith in this challenging time, and that through your generous support we will be able to weather our financial needs during this time of pandemic.
Meet our Staff
Despina Hrousis
Fr. Alexandros Petrides
Fr. Nicholas Palis
Mrs. Hrousis has been the Director of St Nicholas Academy for 9 years. Before that, she was a very active member of the school as a parent with her 3 children who are all proud graduates! Mrs. Hrousis went to Moravian College and spent many years in the classroom with the BASD before taking on an administrative position here. She and her
Mrs. Hrousis has been the Director of St Nicholas Academy for 9 years. Before that, she was a very active member of the school as a parent with her 3 children who are all proud graduates! Mrs. Hrousis went to Moravian College and spent many years in the classroom with the BASD before taking on an administrative position here. She and her family are active members of St. Nicholas Cathedral and Annunciation Orthodox Church in Easton. Mrs. Hrousis loves when the students draw pictures for her and proudly displays them on her desk and walls! She believes every child is unique and beautiful and strives to create a loving environment for them to be successful!
Fr. Nicholas Palis
Fr. Alexandros Petrides
Fr. Nicholas Palis
Since 2006, Fr. Nicholas Palis has been the beloved spiritual pastor at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. After graduating from high school, he attended Hellenic College in Brookline, MA. After graduation, he went to Greece on vacation and ended up enrolling in the Aristotelian School of Theology at the University of Thessaloniki,
Since 2006, Fr. Nicholas Palis has been the beloved spiritual pastor at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. After graduating from high school, he attended Hellenic College in Brookline, MA. After graduation, he went to Greece on vacation and ended up enrolling in the Aristotelian School of Theology at the University of Thessaloniki, from which he graduated in 1983. While in Greece, Fr. Nicholas was informed by Orthodox elders that it was his calling to return to America and tell people about Orthodoxy, monasticism and the saints. Fr. Nicholas and Pres. Irene were married on Sunday September 27, 1987 and have been blessed with five beautiful children. Father has always believed in the importance of instructing children in their faith and he loves sharing stories about the lives of saints and encouraging children to learn from their examples.
Fr. Alexandros Petrides
Fr. Alexandros Petrides
Pres. Stephanie Petrides
Fr. Alexandros Petrides joined the St. Nicholas Community in Bethlehem on June 1, 2013. He grew up in Stroudsburg, PA, and remembers visiting St. Nicholas as a youth to participate in its many ministries. After graduating from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Minor in Engineering Leadership Development, F
Fr. Alexandros Petrides joined the St. Nicholas Community in Bethlehem on June 1, 2013. He grew up in Stroudsburg, PA, and remembers visiting St. Nicholas as a youth to participate in its many ministries. After graduating from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Minor in Engineering Leadership Development, Fr. Alexey followed his call to serve Christ, and shifted his focus from water resources to "living water," placing his trust in Christ's words that "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7:38) He and Pres. Stephanie were married in 2010, and have three sons. Fr. Alexey conducts weekly spiritual lessons with our students and leads our morning prayers every day. The children love when Father comes to visit, especially because he tells the best jokes!
Pres. Stephanie Petrides
Pres. Stephanie Petrides
Pres. Stephanie Petrides
Pres. Stephanie's love of education began its formation at St Hermon of Alaska Orthodox Christian school, the K-8 school at her home parish in Allston, MA. She went on to graduate from Gordon College with a degree in English and literature, taught in the public school system for two years, and then attended a semester at Holy Cross Greek
Pres. Stephanie's love of education began its formation at St Hermon of Alaska Orthodox Christian school, the K-8 school at her home parish in Allston, MA. She went on to graduate from Gordon College with a degree in English and literature, taught in the public school system for two years, and then attended a semester at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where she took both modern Greek and theology classes. Pres. Stephanie married Fr. Alexey in 2010, and has been busy assisting with the youth ministries of their parish and raising three active boys. She is the primary faith teacher at St Nicholas Academy, where the student love her engaging lessons.
Our Teachers
Pres. Stephanie Petrides
Our Assistants
St Nicholas Academy is blessed with six wonderful full time teachers. Mrs. Saemer, picture above, has been with the school for 17 years! Each teacher brings a warm and welcoming feeling to their classroom. While all are certified in early childhood development, their uniqueness lies in their personalities, which the children love. All
St Nicholas Academy is blessed with six wonderful full time teachers. Mrs. Saemer, picture above, has been with the school for 17 years! Each teacher brings a warm and welcoming feeling to their classroom. While all are certified in early childhood development, their uniqueness lies in their personalities, which the children love. All our staff are focused on the same goal, educating and developing the whole child. We provide an accepting and loving atmosphere in which children may grow, experiment, and reach their highest potential without fear of failure.
Our Assistants
Pres. Stephanie Petrides
Our Assistants
Every classroom has an awesome assistant! Our six assistants are one of our keys to success. Our assistants are more than an extra set of hands to help out, they become a dynamic part of the teachers' ability to engage all their students in learning and community. Many of our assistants have had their own children pass through the Academy, and bring a family feel to the program!