An increase in the number of students, encouraging financial results and a new significant donation to upgrade the facilities of the Hellenic College and the Theological School of Holy Cross in Boston were announced during the meeting of the Archdiocesan Council of the Holy Archdiocese of America , which took place on Friday, October 16 in New York.
The data presented demonstrate a positive development for the historic educational institution of the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States, which plays a decisive role in the academic training of young people and, above all, in the preparation of the future clergy of the Archdiocese.
According to the information provided by the interim president of the institution, Protopresbyter Michael Lambakis , the total number of students enrolled in the Hellenic College and the Theological School now stands at 486 , including those attending their courses in person and those participating in distance learning programs.
Of these, 114 students are preparing for the priesthood , a number particularly important for the long-term planning of the Archdiocese, as staffing parishes with appropriately trained clergy is a constant pastoral and administrative priority.
The presence of a significant number of clerical candidates assumes particular importance at a time when the Greek Orthodox communities of the United States are called upon to respond to new needs, both in terms of their pastoral activity and in terms of preserving their ecclesiastical and cultural identity.
The Holy Cross School of Theology remains the central institution for theological education and preparation of the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of America. Strengthening its student body is therefore directly linked to the prospects for staffing parishes and the continuation of the pastoral work of the Church.
The picture presented by Fr. Michael Lampakis regarding the financial situation of the institution was particularly positive, noting that its finances are moving “in a very positive direction” .
This report is of particular importance, given that financial stability is a basic prerequisite for the smooth operation of academic programs, student support, retention of teaching staff, and maintenance of facilities.
At the same time, an anonymous donation of one million dollars was announced, which was made in memory of the late Father Savvas Konstantinos and is intended exclusively for the renovation of the Pappas Auditorium , on the premises of the Hellenic College and the School of Theology.
This specific donation constitutes a significant boost to the effort to upgrade the foundation’s infrastructure and highlights the ongoing support offered by private donors and benefactors to church education.
The meeting of the Archdiocesan Council also included the swearing-in of new members and the formation of the Executive Committee. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America proposed the renewal of the terms of office of key officials, with Ioannis Catsimatidis as vice president, Elaine Allen as treasurer, and Nikolaos Karakostas as secretary.
The meeting was chaired by Stephanie Clark , vice president of the Council of the Immediate Archdiocesan Region, while Metropolitans Savvas of Pittsburgh, Gerasimos of Saint Francis, Nathanael of Chicago, Constantine of Denver, and Athenagoras of New Jersey participated from the Holy Eparchial Synod.
During his intervention, Archbishop Elpidophoros congratulated the newly elected Metropolitan of New Jersey Athenagoras , recognizing the importance of assuming his new episcopal duties.
He also made special reference to the recent repatriation of the holy relics of Saint Gerasimos, Bishop of Abydos , underlining the importance of recognizing the holy life of a hierarch who served the Orthodox Church in America.
As he characteristically pointed out, “for the first time, the venerable life and holiness of a bishop of our Archdiocese, Saint Gerasimos, Bishop of Avydos, who served both in Pittsburgh and Boston, is being recognized.”
This report highlighted a special aspect of the ecclesiastical history of Orthodoxy in America, as the honor of Saint Gerasimos is connected to the spiritual legacy of previous generations of hierarchs and clergy who served in the United States.
A significant part of the Council’s work was also dedicated to the progress of construction of the new facilities of St. Michael’s Nursing Home , in Uniondale, New York .
Manolis Kratsios , member of the foundation’s Ephorate and responsible for supervising the construction project, informed the members of the Council that the new complex, with a total area of approximately 10,100 square meters , is 80% complete.
According to the planning presented, the facilities are expected to be operational by the end of 2027 , offering upgraded hospitality and care capabilities for the elderly.
Despite the progress of construction work, Mr. Kratsios emphasized that the financial viability of the project remains a critical issue for the administration.
“The issue now is not whether we will complete the project, but how we will ensure that we will not find ourselves in a financial impasse six and a half years from now,” he said.
This remark reflects the need to combine the completion of an important ecclesiastical and social project with ensuring its long-term financial operation.
As it became known, an agreement has been reached with a commercial bank to provide a loan of up to $31.5 million in order to finance the completion of the building complex.
A basic condition of the agreement is the continuation of the collection of donations , which makes it necessary for the active participation of the Greek diaspora and the foundation’s supporters in financially supporting the effort.
St. Michael’s Nursing Home is one of the most important social institutions of the Holy Archdiocese of America, with a special mission to care for the elderly and maintain an environment that meets their spiritual, cultural and social needs.
The creation of the new facilities is expected to strengthen the institution’s capabilities, while at the same time placing increased demands on its financial management and long-term operational adequacy.
Treasurer Elaine Allen also referred to the financial situation of the Archdiocese, presenting a positive picture of the course of the financial figures, noting that these results are the product of systematic effort and organized planning.
“Our finances are in good shape,” he said, clarifying, however, that maintaining this image requires consistency in the implementation of decisions, effective cooperation and continuous work.
As he emphasized, “it takes planning, everything we plan needs to be implemented, it takes a capable team and a lot of work.”
Ms. Allen also referred to the collaboration between the Holy Archdiocese of America and the Holy Cross Theological School for the management of the educational institution’s finances, characterizing the positive results presented by Fr. Michael Lambakis as a particularly important milestone.
At the same time, he emphasized that the financial stability of the Archdiocese is directly linked to the trust that the parishes and Holy Metropolises show in the central ecclesiastical administration.
“How well we can do depends on the trust that our parishes and Metropolises show us,” he noted, highlighting the importance of cooperation and financial responsibility at all levels of ecclesiastical administration.
The meeting of the Archdiocesan Council highlighted three main axes of the current course of the Holy Archdiocese of America: the strengthening of theological and academic education, the financial stability of ecclesiastical organizations, and the development of important social infrastructure .
In particular, the increase in the number of students at the Hellenic College and the Holy Cross School of Theology is a positive development for the future of ecclesiastical education in America.
The number of 114 clerical candidates highlights the ongoing need for systematic preparation of new priests, who will be called to serve parishes with different demographic, cultural and pastoral characteristics.
At the same time, the donation of one million dollars and the improvement of the foundation’s financial image create more favorable conditions for its further development.
The Hellenic College and the Theological School of Holy Cross are educational institutions of strategic importance for the Orthodox Church in the United States. Their strengthening is not limited to the academic community, but is directly linked to pastoral continuity, the education of future clergy, and the preservation of the Greek Orthodox tradition in American society.
With 486 students, 114 candidates for the priesthood, positive financial performance and a new significant donation, the School of Theology and the Hellenic College present an encouraging picture, which creates expectations for the further strengthening of their mission in the coming years.
