Published by The National Herald October 29, 2004 Metropolitan Methodios Assesses his 20th Anniversary By Theodore Kalmoukos Special to The National Herald

BOSTON, Mass. – Metropolitan Methodios of Boston has completed 20 years of episcopal ministry in Boston this year. An official luncheon is being organized in his honor on Saturday, October 30 at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Fairmont by the Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Society. Archbishop Demetrios of America is also expected to attend.

In an exclusive interview with the National Herald, Metropolitan Methodios reflected over the passing of those 20 years and the events which marked his ministry. He spoke of the "countless happy days" of his ministry. He also singled out one very sad day in 1995, the day he was forced to resign from the presidency of the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline.

During the interview, Metropolitan Methodios said he believes the Greek Orthodox community in America needs to both preserve and enhance its bonds with both the Mother Church of Constantinople (i.e., the Ecumenical Patriarchate) and with its ancestral homeland, Greece.

He also said he has not regretted the fact that he declined the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s offer in August of 1999 to become Archbishop of America: "I have no regrets whatsoever," he said.

He also expressed surprise over the fact that Rev. Robert Daly, a Roman Catholic priest of the Jesuit Order, was selected as chairperson of the Orthodox Patristic Institute at the Stephen & Catherine Pappas Patristic Institute at Holy Cross (see The National Herald, October 23, 2004 issue, page 4).

The full text of the interview is published below: 

TNH: Your Eminence, what thoughts come to your mind upon the completion of twenty years of archpastoral ministry in Boston?

METHODIOS: The first thought that comes to mind is, how fast time flies in one's life.  It's hard to believe that 20 years have passed since I came to Boston.  Glory be to Almighty God. It also calls to mind the priests and laymen who, over these last 20 years, have come into my life.

TNH: Did you ever imagine during your years as a student at Holy Cross that, one day, you would become the shepherd of this local Church of Boston?

METHODIOS: No, of course not. When I studied at Hellenic College/Holy Cross, my only prayer was to get ordained and serve the Church in some capacity. I was blessed to be ordained by Archbishop Iakovos and be assigned as his deacon.  For six and a half years, I had the opportunity to study in the "University of Life," so to speak. I experienced and learned much during those years. I accompanied Archbishop Iakovos to parishes throughout the Archdiocese and also traveled with him to Australia and South America. I met many dedicated priests and devout laymen during those years.  Those experiences surely influenced my life.

TNH: Can you be more specific? Which events and experiences have impacted your life during these past 20 years?

METHODIOS: Where do I start? The very first great project was the construction of our Administrative Building at the Cathedral Center. I remember the great enthusiasm and generosity of our people at that time. As I look back over the last 20 years, I remember the 1988 Clergy-Laity Congress, which we hosted in Boston; I recall the historic Patriarchal visit of (the late) Patriarch Demetrios of blessed memory and the Divine Liturgy attended by more that 6,000 faithful at the Hynes Convention Center. I remember the two Patriarchal visits of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew; I recall my assignment as President of Hellenic College/Holy Cross from 1989-1995 and the difficult days I experienced when I was forced to resign. I bring to mind my heart operation ten years ago, the establishment of the Philoxenia House, and the joy we all experience when we open our arms to embrace those in need. I remember the establishment of our Camp and Retreat Center and my weekly visits to the Camp during the camp sessions in the summer…

TNH: Have all your dreams been fulfilled since your enthronement, and if not, which ones remain unfulfilled? 

METHODIOS: I am thankful to God for all that has been accomplished. I am saddened that many of my dreams have still not been fulfilled. Among them is the establishment of parochial schools in the Greater Boston area. God knows I have tried to encourage several parishes to start such schools, but I have failed to convince them to proceed. I have not yet given up hope, however.

TNH: Which was the happiest day of your archpastoral ministry thus far, and which the most sorrowful?

METHODIOS: There have been countless happy days during my tenure. I don't know if I can pick one in particular. Certainly the saddest days were those involved with my departure from the presidency of Hellenic College/Holy Cross.

TNH: Living the omogeneia (i.e., Greek American community) of New England for 20 years, where do you think it is heading?

METHODIOS: The composition of the omogeneia is changing day by day. We are not the same Church of the 1950’s, or even the 1980’s for that matter. The people who worship in our parishes are dedicated men and women who labor to transmit our faith and heritage to the younger generations. The Church must continue to reach out and re-evangelize those who remain inactive for various reasons. We must become evangelists of our Orthodox Christian faith, as well, to the community at-large.

TNH: Where do you see Hellenism in America heading? Is it going to survive, or is it going to have an expiration date?

METHODIOS: As you know, migration from Greece basically ended 30 years ago. The majority of the faithful are third- and fourth-generation American Greek Orthodox Christians.  This is the reality that we have to recognize.

TNH: Do you think that the omogeneia should continue its ties between the Mother Church and the motherland of Greece?

METHODIOS: I certainly believe that our ties with the Holy Mother Church and with Greece must not only be maintained, but also strengthened.

TNH: Will smaller parishes survive? Could two or three that exist in the same vicinity be unified into one?

METHODIOS: One of the great problems we face in the Metropolis and the Archdiocese is the reality of small parishes that are experiencing problems surviving. It is questionable if in the future they will be able to afford the services of a priest. I have encouraged several such parishes to merge in order to survive and provide a more effective ministry to our people.

TNH: On what course is our Church in America today, and what point of development do you think it has reached at this point in time?

METHODIOS: Our Church in America is in a long period of transition from a community established and supported by immigrants to a Church primarily comprised of third- and fourth-generation American-born members, and an ever increasing number of converts to the Orthodox faith. There are growing pains in this process, but in the end, prayerfully, we will be a strong presence in American Church life.

TNH: Do you think, after all, that it was a mistake that you declined to assume the archiepiscopal throne of America when the Ecumenical Patriarchate offered it to you in August of 1999?

METHODIOS: Absolutely not.  I have no regrets whatsoever.  I am happy to be the Metropolitan of this historic Metropolis. 

TNH: Do you have any thoughts on Hellenic College and Holy Cross?

METHODIOS: My only hope for Hellenic College/Holy Cross is that it fulfills its primary purpose; that is, to attract and provide the finest education and spiritual preparation for the future priests of our Archdiocese. I have always advocated for the School to look outside its confines and seek advice on how to run an academic institution, and how to provide the very best education for our students.

TNH: Would you comment on the appointment of a Jesuit as chairperson of the Orthodox Patristic Institute at the Theological School?

METHODIOS: I was surprised that a non-Orthodox was selected as chairman. I was also surprised that Professor George Bebis, who taught entire generations of our priests over the years at Holy Cross, was not included. Moreover, there are a number of other Patristic Scholars from the Universities of Athens and Thessaloniki who could have been invited to be a part of the Patristic Institute.