This week, from February 17-20, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America welcomed the senior seminarians from Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology for the annual visit of the Holy Cross’s graduating class.
During their visit, the seminarians were greeted by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, and enjoyed private time with him as well as a luncheon in their honor.
The seminarians also attended services in the Chapel of Saint Paul and toured the Archdiocese, meeting with Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, National Chancellor, as well as directors of the Archdiocesan departments: Fr. Nicholas Kazarian, Assembly of Bishops & Ecumenical Relations; Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Holy Eparchial Synod and Religious Education; Elaine Allen and Fr. Soterios Baroody, Finance; Theo Nicolakis & Arist Athanasopoulos, Information Technologies and National Ministries; Fr. Steven Klund, Ionian Village; Vicky Yotides, Benefits Program; Fr. Louis Nicholas, Registry; Jamil Samara, Internet Ministries; Fr. Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos, Office of the Archbishop; Fr. Peter Spiro, FREEDOM Ministries; Eva Konstantakos, Y2AM; Rhea Ballas, Youth Safety; George Tsougarakis, Risk Management/Insurance & Clergy Sexual Misconduct; Menios Papademetriou, Archives; Dr. Stratos Safioleas, Communications; and Fr. Jim Kordaris, Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism.
The seminarians also visited the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, National Philoptochos headquarters, Leadership 100, St. Michael’s Home, St. Basil Academy, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate/Order of St. Andrew, and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine.
Seminarians attending were: Eric Ambrosius (Metropolis of Atlanta), Angelo Bruno (Archdiocesan District), Andrew Constantinou (Metropolis of Boston), Demetrius Dogias (Metropolis of San Francisco), Andres Duran (Palestinian/Jordanian Vicariate), Aidan Garfield (Metropolis of Boston), Marko Kapetanov (Archdiocesan District), David Karle (Metropolis of Denver), S. Christopher Kostopoulos (Metropolis of Boston), Dn. Vasilios Panagopoulos (Metropolis of Boston), Damian Paschalides (Metropolis of Boston), Michael Pollatos (Metropolis of New Jersey), Heathcliffe Shin (Metropolis of San Francisco), and Logan Taylor (Metropolis of Detroit). They were accompanied by Fr. Bartholomew Mercado.
Photos by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
