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On Sunday, September 18, at the request of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, parishes throughout the Archdiocese commemorated the tragic events of 1922 in which thousands of Greeks in Smyrna lost their homes, their churches, and their lives in a massive conflagration. Countless others fled their ancestral lands, never to return.

Reflecting on both the horrors of almost a century ago and on the humanitarian crises in today’s world, His Eminence urged that all of us “…find strength and guidance in our Orthodox faith, just as many did in those dark days…Through our faith in God and our remembrance of our heritage, we are able to lead in offering comfort and assistance to those in need today…”

HCHC students can explore the rich history and legacy of the once-vibrant Greek Orthodox communities of Asia Minor through the annual summer Asia Minor Travel Seminar. The program is generously underwritten by the New York Life Insurance Company Center for the Study of Hellenism in Pontos and Asia Minor at Hellenic College Holy Cross and by the Dean C. and Zoe S. Pappas Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies of Stockton University.