Archbishop Outlines Vision at Commencement Ceremony

Orthodox Observer - May 20, 1997

HELLENIC COLLEGE graduate Maria Kirkinezou of Athens. Greece, deli- vers the salutatory and valedictory address at the May 17 commence- ment ceremony. Ms. Kirkinezou, who majored in human development, spoke eloquently in both Greek and English.

(D. Panagos photo)

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Archbishop Spyridon called for a return to the Church's "spiritual center" and for an increased emphasis on religious education in his first graduation address on May 17 at the 55th annual commencement of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology.

By Jim Golding

In his address to the graduating students, His Eminence expounded on the vision which he first articulated eight months ago upon becoming Archbishop: to administer the Church according to Orthodox faith and tradition, sanctifying the faithful through the Divine liturgy and holy sacraments, and edifying their religious life according to the holy scriptures, decrees and canons of the apostles and seven ecumenical councils, "as interpreted by the practice of the Great Church of Constantinople."

"You are the first generation of seminary and college students that will help me build upon that vision," he said.

The Archbishop noted that, while the ecclesial life of the faithful in this country is more vibrant than in the Orthodox countries, where various temptations and hardships have apparently sapped the vitality out of everyday practice of the Faith," there is not the same "ethos" here that has for centuries sustained the Orthodox faith in those other countries.

"I believe that, as a Church, we have forgotten our roots ... we have lost the sight of what we could be, and thus have settled for stunted growth"

He said the faithful suffer from a weakness of will and mind when it comes to standing up and proclaiming the Faith because of a lack of proper religious education. "The bulk of this responsibility falls on the shoulders of those who are ordained," said the Archbishop.

The previous evening, the baccalaureate service followed evening vespers. The Rev. George Papadeas, a member of the first graduating class of Holy Cross and the first to be ordained, addressed the faithful at the Holy Cross chapel.

He praised the leadership of Archbishop Athenagoras and Bishop Athenagoras Cavadas who, despite the opposition of many naysayers and the fact that the nation was still in the Depression, founded the seminary "so that our faith could be perpetuated in America."

Fr. Papadeas told the graduates that one fundamental attribute they should seek to acquire is Christian maturity, which he said is understood as having dependability, humility, patience, perseverance, unselfishness and decisiveness.

He continued, "maturity is the ability to control anger, and settle differences without violence or destruction; it is the ability to face unpleasantness, discomfort, frustration and defeat without complaint or giving up... If we were truly mature individuals in Christ, the whole face of the Church would be incomparably better."

Following Fr. Papadeas' address, Archbishop Spyridon presented each graduating seminarian with the cross of the school. In this remarks, He said that "people thirst to hear the word of God. They want the simple truth of the Bible, the Truth which is Christ" and the Church's message "is the only message that can save the world." He also said the school has prepared them to transform the world through the message of the gospel."

After Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, commencement ceremonies for the 44 graduating seminarians and collegians took place at Pappas Gymnasium.

In his salutation, the Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas, president, noted that this is the first class to graduate under the pastoral leadership of Archbishop Spyridon and their graduation coincides with the 60th anniversary of Holy Cross and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese.

"Both of these anniversaries underscore the visionary idealism of our ecclesial leaders and bear witness to the commitment of our immigrant fathers and mothers to establish a thriving spiritual presence in this country. Honor their memory and their significant achievements by perpetuating their legacy of excellence through your good and noble works."

Archbishop Spyridon and school officials also presented the Three Hierarchs Medal to the Order of AHEPA for its humanitarian efforts in the areas of senior citizens housing, support of medical research and human rights, and to Mr. Ernest Villas, for his involvement in the work of the Church over a period of five decades, beginning as the first national chairman of GOYA, then as director of the Archdiocese Department of Laity for 20 years, and as Religious Education Department director since 1982.

Steve Manta, AHEPA's supreme vice president and a grandson of pioneering clergyman Fr. Mark Petrakis of Chicago, accepted the award for his organization.

Mrs. Vicki Villas accepted the award on behalf of her husband, who was recuperating from a recent illness and could not attend.

Holy Cross School of Theology had 26 graduates in its three masters programs. Hellenic College had 18.

[ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 62, No. 1129 - May 20, 1997 - pp. 1, 24 ]