MyHCHC
Dr. Michael Billys, HC 1971, SOT 1981
Dr. Billys taught Emotional and Learning Support in the Harrisburg School District for 18 years. Dr. Billys then became a family and individual mobile therapist working for the Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. of Pennsylvania serving the many diagnosed at-risk children including many on the autistic spectrum of diagnosis. Dr. Billys retired after serving in this capacity for 15 years. Throughout his secular career, Dr. Billys also served the Church in a number of capacities, including spending 5 years as the Youth Advisor for the YAL of the Metropolis of Chicago as well as Lay Assistant and Youth Director for St. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL. In retirement he continues to participate in ministry through his involvement with the St. Nicholas Tele-Santa Program. He has also demonstrated ongoing dedicated service to Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology. His Zoom meetings held every Monday for all HCHC alumni from the 60s and 70s are described as a blessing by those who attend, and many find his daily emails informative, uplifting and enlightening to all who receive them. Now he is partnering with the Department of Religious Education to create a kids complete Nativity series. He also founded the DR. HARRY KIMON VOYAGES COVID-19 MEMORIAL GRANTS, which is now into the 5th year. The memorial grants have awarded 7 recipients so far, each receiving $500 checks.
Fr. Barnabas Powell, SOT 2010
Fr. Barnabas Powell is the priest at SS. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA. Fr. Barnabas was a successful Evangelical pastor in Georgia, who converted to Orthodoxy in 2001 after a 9-year internal struggle, leading 20 families from his former congregation with him. In 2007, he received a blessing to study at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2010 and assigned to his current parish after graduation. Fr. Barnabas has been very active in outreach and evangelism since the beginning of his ministry. Among other activities, he has written a book called A Faith Encouraged, and produced a 16-part video series called “Journey to Fullness” which has been used by over 200 Orthodox parishes in the United States as a catechetical resource. Fr. Barnabas maintains an active web presence preaching and teaching through his Faith Encouraged Ministries, which have 2k subscribers on Substack, 3k on Facebook, and 14k on Youtube. Fr. Barnabas also regularly gives talks and leads retreats across the US and even in Greece. Fr. Barnabas is married to Presvytera Connie and they have two daughters.