Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Video: A Vision for Orthodox Christianity’s Future in North America
    • Another Attempt to Break the Silence: Why Orthodox Christians in America Must Stand with the Persecuted in Russia
    • Assembly of Bishops Newsletter – Q1 2025
    • Opinion: The Theological School’s Experiments
    • New Icon of All Saints of North America to Debut at 21st All-American Council
    • IOTA Future Leaders Program
    • Reimagining Orthodox Campus Ministry
    • His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Presides at Services in Anchorage Celebrating the Canonization of the Righteous Olga of Kwethluk
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Governance & Unity News»New Crisis Boiling at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

    New Crisis Boiling at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

    0
    By Webmaster on December 15, 2022 Governance & Unity News, Governance Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Source: The National Herald

    By Theodore Kalmoukos

    His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros after the Divine Liturgy in Amman, Jordan, where he announced the provision of full scholarships to all Jordanian priests and deacons who wish to study at the Hellenic College-Holy Cross Theological School. Photo: GOA

    BOSTON – A new crisis is boiling at Hellenic College – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC) in Brookline, MA, after a post on Facebook by Archbishop Elpidophoros from Amman, Jordan promising to give full scholarships to all of that country’s priests and deacons who want to study there.

    The Archbishop made that announcement and commitment through his Facebook account while visiting the Holy Land and Jordan and acting as a tour guide for a group of Greek-Americans, including Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

    The leaders of the School, its president George Cantonis, the members of the Board of Trustees, and the faculty, were surprised when they were informed about it from Elpidophoros’ post on Facebook since no consultation preceded, nor was any kind of notice given to Cantonis and the Trustees.

    A meeting of the Board of Trustees which had been scheduled for Friday, December 16 was canceled by the President of the School George Cantonis. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Vice Chairman is Protopresbyter John Magoulias of California.

    Elpidophoros’ post on Facebook follows:

    “Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is in Amman, Jordan.

    After the divine liturgy at the metropolis of Amman, I announced that all priests and deacons in #Jordan are welcome to pursue their theological education at @helleniccollegeholycross with a full scholarship. This initiative manifests our active support towards the @jerusalem_patriarchate.”

    The National Herald spoke with HCHC President George Cantonis by phone and the following was said:

    TNH: Mr. President were you aware that Archbishop Elpidophoros announced that he is going to give full scholarships to Jordanian students, all priests and deacons who want to study at Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology?

    Cantonis: No, I wasn’t aware until the Facebook post was forwarded to me by a priest. 

    TNH: Did you attempt to communicate with the Archbishop to ask him what is going on, to ask about the announcement?

    Cantonis: Yes.

    TNH: What did he say?

    Cantonis: I have no comment.

    TNH: Does the School have the money to provide scholarships for all those Jordanian priests and deacons?

    Cantonis: Without discussion with the Archbishop, I can’t comment. 

    TNH: Was the Board of Trustees aware of the Archbishop’s announcement?

    Cantonis: I am unaware of any information that they may have received. 

    TNH: Do you have any further comment? 

    Cantonis: I can’t make any further comment until I have an opportunity to speak with the Archbishop.

    TNH: Why haven’t you spoken to him? Why has it taken you so long?

    Cantonis: No comment.

    It is reminded here that in the past Archbishop Elpidophoros has made similar interventions which led Cantonis to resign in May of 2021 as TNH has reported, but a few weeks later he recalled his resignation after discussions with the Archbishop. Cantonis had reacted then about the involvement of Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos in the affairs of the School, and the plan of Elpidophoros and Athenagoras to make the School of Theology a monastic community like the School of Hakli, with monks and novices.

    FILE- George Cantonis, President Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. (Photo by HCHC)

    In the meantime, students who read the Archbishop’s post on Facebook became upset and communicated with TNH asking if we had known about it, but they declined to make any comment for publication because they are afraid of retaliation.

    Hierarchs from the Phanar told The National Herald that “Elpidophoros displays special care and favoritism to clergy and students of Arabic origin because he is half-Arab himself, on his mother’s side.” 

    It is emphasized here that the money for scholarships for the students of the School of Theology is provided by the Leadership 100, specifically for Greek-American students enrolled in the Master of Divinity Program leading to the priesthood in order to serve in the parishes of the Greek-Orthodox Archdiocese of America. 

    It became known from the Phanar that among the ultimate plans of Archbishop Elpidophoros is the direct submission of the Leadership 100 endowment to the Archdiocese so that its portfolio of approximately ninety million dollars could go to the Archdiocese. The current chairman of Leadership 100, Jim Logothetis, is connected by ties of friendship with Elpidophoros, a fact that causes many members of its Board to be concerned, as The National Herald is in a position to know.

    TNH has also learned that Rev. George Parsenios, the Dean of the School of Theology who was appointed almost two years ago, has expressed to the members of the faculty his intent to resign from the Deanship for which he was hired, but will remain as a professor. The School’s officials indicated to him that he should stay a little longer as Dean to avoid sending a wrong message to the academic authorities of Massachusetts and the Church and the Greek-American Community, that is to say, that the School changes its Deans very often. In the meantime, Fr. Parsenios a few weeks ago was appointed presiding priest at the St. Nicholas Parish in Lexington, MA. A telephone call and a written message from TNH to Fr. Parsenios went unanswered.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleSpecial Convention to Nominate Candidates for Metropolitan of Antiochian Archdiocese Set for January 13
    Next Article CONTENTMENT: A VALUABLE HOLIDAY PERSPECTIVE

    Related Posts

    July 5, 20251 Min Read

    Video: A Vision for Orthodox Christianity’s Future in North America

    July 5, 20259 Mins Read

    Another Attempt to Break the Silence: Why Orthodox Christians in America Must Stand with the Persecuted in Russia

    July 4, 20251 Min Read

    Assembly of Bishops Newsletter – Q1 2025

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Register for OCL's Annual Conference - October 11, 2025

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    Jul 16
    12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

    John Zizioulas’s “Remembering the Future” (Virtual)

    View Calendar
    Recent Comments
    • Lou Gaviras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • pERRY tORMAS on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Perry Tormas on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Myron Kaleras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • Levantios on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jerry Maras on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • John on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jupiter's Son on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Timothy Mulligan on Ethno-Phyletism: A Problem for the American Church
    • Angela Skinner on Orthodox Christian Unity in America – Papers in Support (New: See Paper No. 5)
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2023 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.