About

Published by The National Herald, March 4, 2005

About Orthodox Education in America: The Late Rev. John Zanetos Had an Idea

In your February 5th editorial ("The Archdiocese Should Let Go"), you asked, "If the Archdiocese does not care to continue its role as the central promoter of Greek education in America, should not this responsibility be transferred directly to local communities, or even to a new organization which is truly empowered to run our educational system?"

In the early sixties, a priest named John Zanetos was Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral in Boston. He formed a committee of educators to discuss his idea of forming a secondary school for Greek Americans with Orthodoxy as a base. After a few meetings, it became evident that there was little interest in forming an Orthodox secondary school.

Here we are 40 years later, and many sense a feeling to revive the idea of forming an Orthodox secondary school. First, there are many Greek Americans attending Catholic high schools, at least in the Metropolitan Boston area.

Second, there has been an emergence of stressing Hellenic-Christian-Byzantine heritage, which appears is lacking in public schools today.

Third, we must admit that the undergraduate program at Hellenic College has not grown as anticipated, so why not phase it out and replace it with a secondary or preparatory school? Leave the Holy Cross graduate school alone, for it has grown tremendously. The graduate students could be used to teach and/or tutor prep school students.

These three reasons together might suggest that there is a possibility for establishing an Orthodox Christian secondary school.

The National Herald recently stated that the Archdiocese is about $10 million in debt, owing about $500,000 to Hellenic College, while many parishes are barely making ends meet. So realistically, could the Archdiocese support a secondary school?

Perhaps the bigger question is, will the Greek American community support a secondary or preparatory school?

You would think that, after 68 years, our only institution, HC/HC, would be financially secure. As Greek Americans, we have built churches and community centers; however, we can not seem to resolve this issue. Every year for the past eight years, the National Herald publishes its special 50 Wealthiest Greek Americans issue, and you would think that there would be more support for HC/HC.

When you compare fund drives from other institutions with fundraisers from HC/HC, there appears to be a very basic difference. For example, Boston University, of which I am a graduate, offers choices which one can select to have his or her donation directed. But when HC/HC seeks money, money is often contributed to the institution in general, which implies that the school can use the finances in its own manner. Could this be a reason why the support has not been there?

In retrospect, the late Rev. Zanetos’ idea was noble, but it was fell on deaf ears.

Suppose an Orthodox secondary school is opened, would those people who currently send their youngsters to a Catholic parochial school start sending them to an Orthodox secondary school? At this point, it must be said that the Orthodox secondary school did not have to be at Hellenic College: that was just a thought considering the existing circumstances at that time.

So in trying to answer the Herald’s question, two things are reasonably clear:

First, the Archdiocese is not in a position to support an educational system, and the parishes are too involved with their own communities. Second, Greek Americans are not the givers they think they are. But can you blame them?

The National Herald reported that the Archdiocese is $10 million in debt. Where has the money gone? Is this due to over-spending? Is it because the Ecumenical Patriachate demands more money? Whatever the reason is, it certainly spurs doubt, creates cynicism and fosters a negative attitude towards the Church.

Finally, unless things improve, then a private organization should step forward, take charge and establish the leadership policy for operating the educational aspect of the Archdiocese. This group must work independent from the Archdiocese, however, or it will otherwise end up like HC/HC – after 68 years, still in the red.



Volume 7 Number 10 - Tuesday, March 8th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY