His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros Saint Basil Academy Board of Trustees Opening Remarks

November 24, 2020

Via Zoom

 

Dear Father and Beloved Trustees,

Thank you for coming together in this virtual call as the Board of Trustees of Saint Basil Academy. 2020 has been an exceedingly challenging year, and I am proud of how you have managed and given the proper oversight to the Academy in these difficult days of the pandemic.

The Academy, founded by the ever-memorable Patriarch Athenagoras during his Archiepiscopacy of America, and which is also the resting place of the Archbishop Michael of blesséd memory, is an institution of great historic and ministerial importance to the Holy Archdiocese.

Together with the National Philoptochos, whose dedication and resourcefulness provided the funding to purchase this magnificent property, we must always be searching for new opportunities of diakonia.  I know that this is your mission and vision as well.

As you all know, in two years we will celebrate the Centennial of our Archdiocese, a time of reflection upon the good work of the past, but even more importantly, a moment to dream for the future. You, the Board of Trustees of this marvelous institution of our Archdiocese – an institution treasured by all, must bear this in mind as you make your plans.

The Academy has served many aspects of the vision of education through the decades, but always with the charitable and philanthropic character exemplified by its patron Saint, the Great Basil of Caesarea of Cappodocia. As we approach the next century of our Holy Archdiocese, let us seek to expand and augment its mission to the pleroma of the Church.

You all bring wisdom, institutional memory, skills and above all, good will to our endeavors. I am proud to work with all of you. 

May Saint Basil himself bless our work and our labors. 

Thank you, and may God bless you and grant unto you and your families a joyful Thanksgiving.