Fr. Christopher T. Metropulos
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the election of the V. Rev. Fr. Christopher T. Metropulos, as the next president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The HCHC announcement is as follows:
Following a rigorous search process that began in October 2014, the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC) today, May 1, 2015, voted unanimously to elect the V. Rev. Fr. Christopher T. Metropulos as the next president of the institution, in succession of the current president, the V. Rev. Fr. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, who after a fifteen-year tenure will retire at the end of June 2015.
Fr. Metropulos has been serving as the Senior Pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida since 1989. He holds a BA from Hellenic College, a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Fr. Metropulos founded and has successfully directed OCN (Orthodox Christian Network, a radio and internet ministry) and is currently its Executive Director. He has served as Dean of Admissions at HCHC, and thereafter in varying priestly capacities with the Archdiocese, including: Archdiocesan Representative to the UN and US Missions, Archdiocesan Council, Assistant Regional Director of Leadership 100, and President of the Archdiocesan Presbyter’s Council for two consecutive terms. In addition to being a Protopresbyter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, he is also Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne.
“Finding a new president at this particular time was challenging indeed, due to the remarkable accomplishments and tenure of our retiring President, Fr. Triantafilou, who has become the longest running president in the history of HCHC,” said Dr. Thomas C. Lelon, Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The search process commenced with the formation of a seven-member Presidential Search Committee (PSC), in accordance with the by-laws of HCInc. The process yielded a significant number of 41 highly qualified candidates, which after due process was narrowed to 36, following continuous assessment, the number of candidates was reduced to 22, and ended finally with 8 semi-finalists. At the end of March 2015, these 8 candidates were interviewed for two days off-campus by all members of the PSC.
After careful evaluation of the 8 semi-finalists, the PSC determined that two candidates reached the status of finalist. These two candidates were invited to on-campus visits on April 28-29, 2015. During these two days, the two finalists interacted with a cross-section of HCHC’s constituents, including: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Trustees, Faculty members from the School of Theology and the College, Senior Administrators, representatives from the Student Body, and the Alumni Association of HCHC.
The final steps of the process entailed an intense review of the two finalists by the PSC and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Upon deliberation, the PSC and the Executive Committee forwarded to the Board of Trustees the unanimous nomination of Fr. Metropulos for president.
Today, May 1, 2015, the Board of Trustees at a special meeting and after a thorough consideration of the unanimous nomination of both the PSC and the Executive Committee unanimously elected Fr. Metropulos as the next president of HCHC.
In announcing the election of Fr. Metropulos, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America said, “I kindly ask for prayers and support for the president-elect, and I express the need to work by any and all possible means to continue the very important legacy of the retiring president Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou. I strongly believe that by the contribution of all and the help of God, Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology will reach new levels of spiritual enhancement and academic achievement.”
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AXIOS. Father Metropulos understands the needs of the faithful, the role and needs of the clergy, the curriculum required to assist the clergy and the laity to work together for the good order of the Church. His background for the position is extraordinary. He is an outstanding parish priest and yet has accomplished so much more with the support of his Ft. Lauderdale community and the support of the hierarchy. He knows that a priest and the parish community must work in synergy with each other and that the role of priest is to be a servant- shepherd. It would be good for him to re-read the “Project For Orthodox Renewal” and work with his staff to implement the educational components outlined in this study to develop the capacity of the laity to serve the Orthodox Church. Holy Cross could become more relevant if it used the liberal arts – and theological components to prepare church lay, clergy and administrative leaders to serve. We pray that God grant him the strength, patience and peace required to lead the College-Seminary into the new day of Orthodox Christian Unity.