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Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology has received a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow initiative to establish an interactive media studio to serve as a hub for preaching, digital engagement and continuing education. The studio helps advance the mission of The Scriptorium Initiative: Preaching and Teaching the Word of God Beyond the Seminary. Holy Cross Dean Fr. Eugen J. Pentiuc authored the proposal that led to the winning grant.
“This grant extends our educational impact beyond the physical confines of campus. The possibilities it provides Holy Cross are boundless and exciting as we engage clergy and laity in new and meaningful ways” said HCHC President Dr. Demetrios Katos. “I am grateful for the hard work and vision of Dean Fr. Pentiuc and everyone involved with The Scriptorium Initiative.”
The studio will have live-streaming and recording capabilities for Masterclasses, webinars, podcasts, and other media-rich offerings – enabling Holy Cross to serve current clergy, seminarians and lay leaders, and Orthodox faithful around the world. “The studio will also play an important role in strengthening the current online degree programs (MTS, ThM) by creating high-quality video lectures, and in advancing the Continuing Education Program at Holy Cross,” added Dean Fr. Pentiuc
The grant supports a five-year implementation plan that builds capacity, scales programming, and positions the studio for long-term sustainability through continuing education, philanthropy, and content partnerships. By reviving the ancient spirit of the scriptorium for the digital age, Holy Cross will become a leading center for digitally enabled pastoral formation, serving the Church across more than 500 Greek Orthodox parishes in the United States and beyond.
A grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative is funding the studio. The initiative helps theological schools across the United States and Canada strengthen their educational and financial capacities to prepare and support pastoral leaders for Christian congregations today and in the future.
Holy Cross is one of 163 theological schools that have received grants since 2021 through the Pathways initiative. These schools serve a broad spectrum of Christian traditions including evangelical, mainline Protestant, nondenominational, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic, Black church, Latino, Asian American, Indigenous and historic peace churches.
“Theological schools have long played a central role for most denominations and church networks in preparing and supporting pastoral leaders who guide congregations,” said Christopher L. Coble, the Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These schools are paying close attention to the challenges churches are facing today and in the foreseeable future. The grants will help these schools engage in wide-ranging, innovative efforts to adapt their educational programs and build their financial capacities so they can better prepare pastors and lay ministers to effectively lead the congregations they will serve.”
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in the United States and around the globe.
About The Scriptorium Initiative
Established in October 2023 through a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. The Scriptorium Initiative (TSI) at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology was created to preach and teach the Word of God in the digital age. Through a hybrid delivery network of offerings both in-person and online, in a variety of forms, ranging from courses, workshops, and conferences to online audio-video podcasts, webinars and shows, TSI advances the school’s commitment to compelling preaching from the pulpit and to continuing education aimed at reaching traditional churchgoers as well as non-churchgoers who seek truth and meaning in a world of rapid and continuous change.
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