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Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC) announces today that the School of Theology has received a $7,466,083 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to redesign its Master of Divinity program and priestly formation, ensuring that seminarians receive extensive, practical pastoral training in real parish settings. This is the largest grant that Holy Cross received in its recent history.
The five-year project, titled “Koinonia: Priestly Formation in Communion,” is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Large-Scale Collaboration Initiative. The grant awarded to Holy Cross is one of 45 approved in this competitive round to support theological schools, seminaries, colleges and universities, and church-related organizations.
The successful proposal was primarily written by Rev. Eugen J. Pentiuc, PhD, Dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Archbishop Demetrios Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Origins. Fr. Eugen will oversee the initiative and manage all aspects of the grant’s implementation, which is the third major grant he secured on behalf of Holy Cross from Lilly Endowment.
“This grant represents a transformative opportunity for the parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the clergy who serve them today – and for generations of clergy to come as we revise our Master of Divinity program,” said HCHC President Dr. Demetrios Katos. “I am grateful for the diligent work and vision of Dean Fr. Pentiuc, the metropolitans, chancellors, clergy and all who assisted in developing a winning proposal, and especially to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros for his encouragement and support of this novel and ground-breaking grant.”
Added His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, “The renewal of priestly formation through intensive parish immersion is essential for the vitality of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. I am deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment for this historic investment and to Fr. Pentiuc, for his leadership. This initiative will produce priests who are spiritually mature, pastorally skilled, and ready to shepherd Christ’s flock with compassion and competence.”
The focal point of Koinonia is the collaboration of Greek Orthodox parishes and metropolises with Holy Cross in establishing and supporting an intensive full-time, one-semester parish practicum internship, with intentional opportunities for developing practical, catechetical, and pastoral/leadership skills along with continued personal and spiritual (ethos) development.
Lilly Endowment launched the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative in 2021. Since then, it has provided grants of more than $700 million to support 163 theological schools in an effort to strengthen their educational and financial capacities and to assist 61 schools in developing large-scale collaborative endeavors.
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.
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