Today, April 2, 2024, the Seniors from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology were welcomed to the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The students are attending a multi-day seminar to introduce and explain the programs and projects of the departments and ministries of the Archdiocese and its various institutions.

After an enjoyable Lenten lunch with His Eminence, the students had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the Archbishop and offer their personal reflections on how Holy Cross has prepared them for serving the Church in America. Chris Katerinakis, President of the Student Body, directed his remarks to His Eminence, thanking him for his leadership, guidance and support and for “showing us how to illuminate these darkest of times by showing us how to share the light of Christ with the world. This sharing of Christ’s light has in turn ignited the faith and hope in all those around us. What a powerful and inspiring example you have provided for each of us as we work to minister to our own flocks one day.”

Addressing the group, His Eminence offered his thoughts and reminded them that it is not only their decision to become a priest; it is their response to the “call” and that they have been chosen by God. The Archbishop also reminded the students that God will prepare them to serve, as the Holy Spirit will guide them. His Eminence stressed that when they begin their service they will be serving not only their parish and their Metropolis, but they are united and one with the Archdiocese of America and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the first throne of the Orthodox Church worldwide.

Also meeting with the students after lunch were Chief Secretary to the Holy Eparchial Synod and Director of the Department of Religious Education His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District Fr. Elias Villis, Dean of Holy Cross Fr. Eugen Pentiuc and Treasurer of the Archdiocese Elaine Allen.

Earlier the students attended Matins at the Archdiocese Chapel of St. Paul; During their time at the Archdiocese they will hear presentations from the Departments of Communications, Finance, the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations, Registry, Religious Education, the Holy Eparchial Synod, Ionian Village, Y2AM and the Youth Protection Policy, Risk Management and Insurance, the Assembly of Bishop and Ecumenical Relations, the Order of St. Andrew Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archives Stewardship Outreach and Evangelism, the Center for Family Care and the Center for Clergy Care.

In addition to presentations by the departments and ministries, the students visited the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, National Philoptochos Headquarters, and St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria. During the remaining days they will visit the office of Leadership 100, and Saint Basil Academy.

Leading the seminarians this week is Associate Dean of Students Archimandrite Bartholomew Mercado. Students participating are: Deacon Walter (Demetrius) Belsito from the Archdiocesan District; Spyridon Costidis, Luke Erdahl and John Tsamutalis from the Metropolis of New Jersey; Nicholas Dafulas from the Metropolis of Boston; Alex Demos, Chris Katerinakis and Michael Pagonis from the Metropolis of Denver; and Jacob Sparks from the Metropolis of Atlanta.

Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos