BOSTON– The 73rd commencement ceremony of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC) was dedicated to its retiring President, Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou. The ceremonies began on the morning of May 16 with Matins followed by the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Chapel officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.
The commencement took place in the Pappas Auditorium with the invocation offered by the archbishop. Greetings were offered by Tomas Lelon Vice Chairman of the HCHC’s Board of Trustees, Greek Consul General of Boston Iphigenia Kanara, National Philoptochos President Maria Logus, who gave a donation of $100,000 for scholarships to theological students, and Leadership 100 Chairman George Tsandikos, which gives $1 million per year for scholarships.
Fr. Triantafilou was honored with an honorary degree of Doctor of Theology and he was thanked for his 15 years of service as HCHC President. Appealing to the graduating class, Triantafilou said “you are part of Christ. You have received the spirit of Christ in order to transmit it to the parishes” and he urged the graduates “to continue to study”.
Archbishop Demetrios conveyed the blessing and the wishes of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the graduating classes. He also conveyed the complacence of the Holy Eparchial Synod to the outgoing Triantafilou and read a long letter enumerating his achievements at the School. At the end, the members of the Holy Synod who were present at the commencement ceremony signed the letter of complacence.
Other clergy at the ceremony included Metropolitans Methodios of Boston, Alexios of Atlanta, Evangelos of New Jersey, Savas of Pittsburgh, and Gerasimos of San Francisco. Bishops Antonios of Phasiane, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Sebastian of Zela Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod, Demetrios of Moskissos Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago, retired Bishop Demetrios of Xanthos, Bishop Kyrillos of Abydos, visiting professor of Canon Law from the University of Athens, and Bishop John of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.
Rachel Contos was the valedictorian for Hellenic College and Peter Hasiakos for the School of Theology. There were 34 graduates from the Theological School: 26 received the Master of Divinity, 5 Master of Theological Studies, and 3 Master of Theology, and a20 graduated from Hellenic College.
The choirs of Hellenic College and Holy Cross also participated.
On May 15, a farewell dinner was held in Triantafilou’s honor at the Marriott Hotel in Newton.
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