HC HC Back

Published by The National Herald, October 25, 2005

HC/HC Back To Searching For Deans

BOSTON – Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology are searching for new academic Deans according to a report by HC/HC President Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou to the Holy Eparchial Synod.

On the first page of Father Triantafilou’s report, and under the chapter, "Goals and Challenges," it states that "searches for deans for both Hellenic College and Holy Cross to be completed by the end of the academic year 2005/06."

Dr. Lily Makrakis is dean of Hellenic College, and Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis is dean of Holy Cross. The National Herald has learned that Father Clapsis has already emptied his office. He will remain at the Theological School as professor of Systematic Theology.

In a telephone conversation with the National Herald, Father Clapsis clarified that he is not resigning: "I am not resigning. My three-year term had simply expired from last year. I will remain one more year honoring the request of the administration of the School. I do not want my term (as dean) to be extended, nor to be renewed."

Dr. Makrakis did not return the Herald’s calls. Neither did Father Triantafilou.
Dr. Makrakis was appointed to the deanship of Hellenic College three years ago after she retired from her teaching position at Regis College. Two members of the Board of Trustees, professor Nicholas Patrikalakis of MIT and Theoharis Theoharides of Tufts University School of Medicine, in a memo they sent to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, who is chairman of the School’s Board of Trustees, in May of 2004 (and to the Board), itemizing the academic irregularities of the School, has also requested not to renew Makrakis’ contract as dean of Hellenic College. The Herald had reported the contents of that memo.

Despite boasts by the School’s officials – to include the Archbishop, Father Triantafilou and others – that the number of the students who are studying to enter the Priesthood has increased, the president’s report to the Holy Synod states the opposite: "Numbers of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Archdiocese men preparing for the Priesthood must increase substantially."

According to Father Triantafilou’s report, out of a total of 106 students who are enrolled in Holy Cross, only 60 are studying to enter the Priesthood for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

Dividing 60 by 4 (in a four-year program at Holy Cross) translates to an average of 15 students per year graduate as candidates for the Priesthood, at best (this does not account for those who fail to graduate or who, for various reasons, refrain from seeking ordination upon graduating).

In his report, Father Triantafilou stated in disclosed that "11 Holy Cross GOA Seminarians are graduating this coming Spring."

The Metropolis breakdown of students at Holy Cross is as follows: "Atlanta – 13, Boston – 6, Chicago – 10, Denver – 11, Detroit – 8, New Jersey – 2, New York (Archdiocesan District) – 3, Pittsburgh – 2, San Francisco – 5."

A good number of students are married and are at an advanced age, according to the report. They enrolled at Holy Cross after they have been in other vocations or professions before seeking a possible career change.

There are also students who have converted to Orthodoxy from the Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations, and from other traditions. The seminarians are getting the Leadership 100 revolving scholarship program. The Organization has given the School $10 million for the next ten years to help attract more candidates for the priesthood to HC/HC.

But the statistics for Hellenic College are not reflecting Father Triantafilou’s publicity campaign to groups such as the Archdiocesan Council or the Clergy-Laity Congress: "Hellenic College overall members should reach 125-140 by September 2006."
According to the Triantafilou’s report, only 34 students at Hellenic College are enrolled in the pre-Theology Program and plan to be admitted to Holy Cross in order to study for the Priesthood.

The Hellenic College seminarian breakdown by Metropolis is as follows: "Atlanta – 3, Boston – 4, Chicago – 4, Denver – 2, Detroit – 5, New Jersey – 3, New York – 6, Pittsburgh – 4, San Francisco – 3."

HC/HC’s annual operating budget is $10 million. The budget for the entire Archdiocese is around $13 million (the Archdiocese is presently struggling to resolve a $10-12 million debt).

The School’s debt is $9 million, which includes its line of credit, as well as the recent purchase of the Barletta property for $5.4 million (seven acres and a home adjoined to the HC/HC campus in Brookline; the home might be used as the presidential residence).

The School has spent $1,504,628 for improvements to its buildings and grounds, including Holy Cross Chapel.



Volume 7 Number 43 - Tuesday, October 25, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY