JULY – AUGUST 2011
HC/HC NEWS
Hellenic College Participates in Orthodox Higher Education Conference by John Papson
CRESTWOOD, N.Y. – Hellenic College administrators and faculty members participated in a conference on Orthodoxy and higher education June 8-10 at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. The delegation included HC Dean Dr. Demetrios Katos, Cantonis Professor Dr. James Skedros, Office of Vocation and Ministry Director Dr. Ann Bezzerides and Dean of Students Deacon Nicholas Belcher. Participants explored a wide range of topics relating to Orthodoxy and higher education, including curriculum, pedagogy, student body and student life, faculty and administration, the broader Orthodox community and the global community. These were discussed at three plenary sessions: “Orthodox Intellectual Life and the Mission of an Orthodox College;” “What Would an Orthodox College Look Like?” and “Maintaining the Orthodox Character of the Orthodox College.” While participants strove to reach a consensus on the mission and identity of an Orthodox college, Hellenic College representatives provided a unique perspective based on the institution’s 40-year existence as an Orthodox college, given that they are leaders in academics, ministry and student life at the only accredited Orthodox four-year college in the Western Hemisphere. They provided vital information con-
cerning both successes and challenges. Participants were impressed and excited about recent developments at the college and the progress that is being made to realize school President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou’s vision. Dr. Katos’ talk was titled “Starting from Scratch? Designing a Program in Theology or Religious Studies at an Orthodox College.” Dr. Bezzerides’ presentation was “Career, Calling and Vocation at the Orthodox College.” Dr. Skedros spoke on “The Church and the Orthodox College.” Deacon Belcher discussed “Challenges of Student Life at an Orthodox College” and Jennifer Nahas’ presentation was “Bringing Orthodoxy to the Non-Orthodox College: the Mission of OCF.” Dr. Katos, reflecting on his experience at the conference, stated that “It was very exciting to see a burgeoning interest in the role of Orthodox Christianity in higher education.” Deacon Belcher said that it gave him great pleasure to speak on the “balancing of judicial and pastoral approaches to discipline” as well as describing “what we have found to be the best practices for building a worshipping community on campus.” The conference was recorded by Ancient Faith Radio and is available at: http:/ancientfaith.com/specials/orthodoxy_and_higher_education
Summer Programs Abound on Campus by John Papson
BROOKLINE, Mass. – Although most students have left for the summer, Hellenic College–Holy Cross continues to be a hub of activity during June, July and August with academic, ministerial and vocational programs. Holy Cross offers courses in Hospital Ministry, Liturgical Greek, Preaching and Biblical Hebrew. Hellenic College once again will offer the Kallinikeion Intensive Greek Program from Aug. 8–Sept. 2, under the sponsorship of The Kallinikeion Foundation. It will consist of an average of five hours a day, five days a week of classroom instruction with a substantial amount of preparation work for the next day’s class. Students have the opportunity to explore Greek culture, music and literature, combining their academic studies with museum visits, traditional Greek music concerts, Greek poetry recitation and other educational events. The CrossRoad program, offered by the Office of Vocation and Ministry, brings Orthodox high school juniors and seniors to campus in two sessions, one in June and one in July. The program immerses students in an exploration of what it means to be Orthodox by experiencing daily a full liturgical life with matins at Holy Cross Chapel and vespers at different Orthodox churches in the Boston area, by studying their faith in an Orthodox academic setting with two mini-courses taught by seminary professors, by serving their neighbors through service projects at different
outreach ministries in the Boston area and by forming lasting friendships as they discern their life callings, matching their personal gifts with the needs of the world. The Special Program for the Diaconate, now in its fifth year, brings 35 men to campus for two weeks in August as part of an educational and formational process established by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese. Dr. James Skedros, Cantonis Professor at Hellenic College and Holy Cross, heads the program on campus where participants receive instruction from Holy Cross faculty in aspects of Church life, including theology and liturgics. Participants must also work with their parish priest and local metropolitan before requesting diaconal ordination. The program does not meet the requirements for ordination to the priesthood, which is accomplished through the Master of Divinity program at Holy Cross. The Summer Program in Patristics, sponsored by The Pappas Patristic Institute at Holy Cross, provides a unique opportunity to students, clergy and interested lay people to study and discuss classic texts of the early Church through small study groups and brief lectures. The program will run from July 18-23. All of these programs have become very popular and bring a wide cross section of Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike to the HC–HC campus. Anyone interested in any of the programs visit www.hchc.edu.
11
Holy Cross, Archdiocese Develop Marriage Program A collaboration between Dr. Philip Mamalakis, assistant professor of pastoral care at Holy Cross School of Theology and a licensed marriage and family therapist, and the Rev. Dr. Charles Joannides, a licensed marriage and family therapist and director of the Archdiocese Department of Interfaith Marriage, has resulted in a unique program for couples who will marry in the Archdiocese to better understand the sacrament and their roles and responsibilities as leaders of an Orthodox family. The program was developed in two steps. The first was the preparation of material, which has been completed. The second step is the training of clergy and appropriate laity to implement the program across the Archdiocese. The goal of the program is to support and enhance the priest’s role in preparing couples for marriage and their continuing journey together. The Metropolis of Boston has completely adopted this program and played a critical role in piloting the program in its developmental phase through the vision and support of Metropolitan Methodios. Dr. Mamalakis offers this program in Boston. The program presents an Orthodox understanding of marriage in
simple terms, using vivid examples of the daily struggles of married life encountered by couples today. Fr. Joannides and Dr. Mamalakis use the most current research in marriage to help couples understand and prepare for their life together. The program is divided into three parts: The couple first meets with the priest, then participates in a one-day seminar, then meets with the priest again. Feedback has been extremely positive from couples who have participated in the program and from priests who have used the materials. The program is already being used in other parts of the country besides New England. Dr. Mamalakis and Fr. Joannides are confident that the program will become an integral part of marriage preparation throughout the Archdiocese as clergy and trained laity become familiar with it. Information on training is available from the Archdiocese’s Center for Family Care or from Dr. Mamalakis directly. The manual for this program, The Journey of Marriage in the Orthodox Church, has been sent to every priest in the Archdiocese. It is available for purchase from the Archdiocesan Department of Religious Education or Holy Cross Bookstore.