BOSTON, MA – George Grinis of Melrose, MA bequeathed large amounts of funds to various churches and other institutions, but the lion’s share went the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, which received the sum of $1,183,486.14 There are no terms as to how the money can be spent.
Grinis, died in Boston on Nov. 11, 2013 at age 79. He prepared his will five days prior to his death. The will was opened a few weeks ago. with Docket number MII3P5704EA was open a, few weeks ago.
Grinis was born and raised in Athens and came to the United Sates in 1951. He lived in Medford, MA until 2001 and in Melrose for the last 12 years of his life.
Besides the bequest to the Metropolis, Grinis also left funds to other beneficiaries, including: Gately Funeral Home, $12,214; McAvoy & MacAvoy LLP, $4,200; Demetroula Gkrini, $100,000; Hellenic Women’s Benevolent Association, Inc.; $100,000
Children’s Medical Center, $100,000; Constantinos Mavrommatis $50,000; Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn, MA $25,000; and Veteran Service Office of the City of Melrose $10,000.
Because the Metropolis did not issue any announcement regarding the bequest, TNH sent a written request to His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, requesting answers to the following questions:
- How and for what purposes the Grinis donations will be used?
- Are you going to issue an official announcement to inform the parishes that the Metropolis has received this donation?
- Did you make any announcement during the recent Clergy Laity Congress of the Metropolis?
- This is the second big donation to the Metropolis in one year. The previous one came from the late Kathryn Pappas. Were these funds included in the financial report to the delegates of the recent Clergy-Laity Congress?
- How much of this money do you plan to use for the Greek Paideia?
Methodios did not respond to TNH’s questions, but instead on October 21 issued a general statement informing his congregants of the huge donation, as follows:
“I am happy to announce that our Metropolis is one of the beneficiaries of the estate of the late George Grinis. I am deeply grateful for the very generous legacy donation in the amount $1,183,486.14 from the Estate of George Grinis to the Metropolis of Boston, surely a manifestation of his visionary faith. This donation will ensure the seeding and advancement of our Metropolis Ministries for years to come. May the memory of George Grinis be eternal.”
The Metropolis Council, comprised of 24 clergy and laity, will convene shortly to discuss, among other issues, how this legacy donation will best be utilized for the advancement of the spiritual, philanthropic and educational outreach to future generations. Among the Ministries that are directly supported by the Metropolis of Boston are: The Metropolis of Boston Camp, the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, the Philoxenia House, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Marriage and Family Ministries, the Metropolis Radio Ministry, College Campus Ministries (OCF), Greek Education Programs, Catechetical Education, Hospital Ministry, Leadership Training for Parish Ministries, Academic Scholarships, and Philanthropic support to those in need.”
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