On May 15, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Great Vespers and Stavrophoria at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.
The service marked the beginning of the school’s graduation celebrations, which will culminate in tomorrow’s Commencement Exercises.
Other hierarchs in attendance included Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, Metropolitan Constantine of Denver, Bishop Joachim of Amissos, Bishop Theophanis of Philomelion, Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, and Bishop Anthony of Synada.
Interim HCHC President Fr. Michael Lambakis also served, alongside several additional priests.
At the service’s conclusion, Archbishop Elpidophoros presented graduates with their school crosses, offering a prayer for the students’ future ministries.
“Tonight, dear Graduates, you are clothed once more with the Cross of our Lord. It is your Way into the Mystery of God,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said in his homily. “Venerate It deeply in your consciousness–with your breathing, speaking, thinking, walking and with your prostrations–unceasingly, even to the rhythm of your every heartbeat.”
“Be faithful to the Truth, which is your remembrance of the balance of the Sacrifice of Holy Friday and the Triumph of the Holy Pascha, and your life will be the mirror of the Life of the World, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
