Archbishop Elpidophoros Visits Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology

BOSTON – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America visited Hellenic College Holy Cross for the first time as Archbishop and officiated at the Agiasmos Service (blessing of the waters) in Holy Cross Chapel, marking the beginning of classes and the new academic year. After joining the community for breakfast in the Condakes Cafeteria, the Archbishop toured the campus, greeting students in their classrooms and stopping in at the library, the bookstore, and numerous department offices to meet staff and learn about day-to-day operations.

It was especially touching for those present to see Elpidophoros kneel at Archbishop Iakovos’ grave behind the Chapel’s altar and to offer a Trisagion Service for the repose of his soul.

A Synaxis and Convocation of all the members of the School was held at the Maliotis Cultural Center. The Archbishop then offered words of welcome to all assembled, but especially to the new students on their first day of classes.

In his speech he said among other things that, “I am more than happy to be with you today for the first time as your new Archbishop. I am also honored by your presence and your commitment to making this school a place of education and knowledge, but also a place of theology in the sense of a true Christian experience, bearing witness of what the Holy Apostle Peter spoke of as: “the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15) Jesus Christ Himself.”

In another instance he said “during the next few years, you will be shaping your minds, your souls, and your hearts through exposure to a rich and unique variety of disciplines and by building lifelong friendships. But in a place like Holy Cross, the liturgy also plays a crucial role in your training. Chapel is not just for seminarians. It is for everyone who, being aware of his or her Christian vocation to become Christ like, wants the Holy Spirit to be a transformative agent of our Salvation, making each one of us agents of the transformation and transfiguration of our world. This transformation is not only spiritual.”

He emphasized his love for the School, saying that “as you all know, this School has held a special place in my heart since I first came and taught here in the spring of 2004.” He also made clear that he would teach also at the School. “For many years now I have been teaching at the Theological School in Thessaloniki as Assistant Professor of Symbolics, Inter-Orthodox Relations and the Ecumenical Movement, and I intend to continue this crucial part of my personal vocation as a professor and academic here at Holy Cross”.

The Archbishop added that “teaching is also the best way to understand the work of our School, form a special connection with the faculty, and cultivate a direct relationship with our students and seminarians, who are called to serve

the Orthodox Church in America, and our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in particular, in one way or another. Having said that, I wanted to tell each of you that my office door is always open. Should you have any concerns, questions, or apprehensions, I will make it my priority to answer them.”

It is reminded here that Archbishop Elpidophoros has set among his first priorities the salvation of the Theological School which had reached a paralytic condition as The National Herald revealed in its reporting during previous years and months. As a result of this unacceptable withering situation the number of students this year for Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is not expected to exceed 126 – although there is a possibility for them to reach 130. Those who are in charge today are trying to justify the shrinking of the student body, using as an excuse that a large number of students graduated last May.  The Interim President of the School is Metropolitan Methodios of Boston and the Interim Dean of Holy Cross is Fr. Thomas FitzGerald. Both had served in the past in the same positions and have been part of the Board of Trustees for decades. A search committee for a new president has been appointed which should give its findings to the Archbishop by November.

Archbishop Elpidophoros will return to the School on September 10 and will stay for five days to celebrate the Feast Day of The Holy Cross by officiating at the Vesper Service on Friday, September 13 and at the Divine Liturgy on Saturday, September 14. He will also meet with the students, the faculty, and the Board of Trustees.

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