in 1897, the school was transferred at 4 sina street in central athens. despite its accommodation in a fully equipped building, lycée léonin underwent a decline from 1897 until 1907. in order to save the school, the catholic bishop of athens invited monks of the marist brothers to take over as they had successfully ran similar schools in istanbul. after the marist brothers undertook the management of the school on september 15, 1907, the number of students was tripled.