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His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver warmly welcomed Rev. Fr. Christopher T. Metropulos, President of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC), to his Metropolis for a weekend of prayer and celebration of the sacred institution on September 17 and 18. Select administrative staff and students joined Rev. Fr. Christopher.

Commenting on Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, His Eminence referred to the school as “the most important project in our faith today.”

The two-day visit was marked by several key events.

On Saturday morning, the Metropolis of Denver Council welcomed Rev. Fr. Christopher with the affirmation and witness that HCHC’s mission to educate ordained and lay leaders for the Orthodox Church and society will never fail as long as the faithful continue to support it.

Later in the evening, Dr. and Mrs. James Maniatis opened their home to over sixty people for a benefit reception for the school. Speaking at the gathering with Rev. Fr. Christopher were Hellenic College Holy Cross alumni Gregory Floor and Peter Koulouris of the Admissions Office, as well as current students Bailie Henry, Seraphim Ramos, and Fotini Dorrance, all of whom conveyed their love for the school and its unique sense of community.

On Sunday, Rev. Fr. Christopher was blessed to concelebrate Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with His Eminence at the Assumption of the Theotokos Cathedral in Denver, where the local congregation was joined by parishioners from St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church of Greenwood Village, CO. He further delivered a homily that spoke of the progress and bright future of the school.  

Following the service, HCHC Admissions staff fielded enrollment inquiries about both Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, as well as the school’s CrossRoad summer program for Orthodox Christian high school students of all jurisdictions.

Reflecting on the weekend, His Eminence said, “It was a very, very good experience. We had a beautiful Divine Liturgy and all the free-will offerings on that day were given to benefit the school…I hope the amount raised was significant because the school needs funds continually to be the school we want it to be.”  

His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah is a 1960 graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary (renamed Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology). He had the distinction to serve as Dean of Student Life, Dean of Students and Dean of Administrative Affairs prior to his election as Bishop of Aspendos in 1986. He was appointed President of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1997, and served a one-year term.

“We thank with deepest gratitude His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah and the entire Metropolis of Denver for their incredible hospitality and generosity,” said Rev. Fr. Christopher. “We are humbled by their love and dedication to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and their prayerful participation in our sacred school and the future of the Orthodox Christian Church in our country. We ask Almighty God for his continued blessings upon them, and look forward to seeing them soon.”

Rev. Fr. Christopher will next travel to the Metropolis of Detroit with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, for engagements with the community.