From the earliest Christian community (Acts 6:1-6) to the present, deacons have played an integral part in the life of the Church. The ministry of the diaconate is an integral part of the Church’s ecclesial identity, being one of the three ordained offices of the Church. As the name implies (διάκονος = “servant”), the diaconate is the office of service par excellence, and the deacon serves at the behest of the local Metropolitan both liturgically and pastorally in the life of a community.
Through an intensive mentoring program, distance learning offerings, and a total of three summer sessions on the campus of Holy Cross, the Diaconate Program introduces candidates to the theology, history, liturgical practices, pastoral approaches, and canonical tradition of the Orthodox Church. The program provides candidates with a cohort of like-minded individuals seeking to prepare themselves for service to the Church.
The on‐campus certificate program is designed to prepare a candidate for the ordained diaconate within 3 years. However, the program is open to candidate for up to 6 years. The candidate must be a committed and mature Orthodox Christian who has been active in a parish, and who senses a calling from the Lord to serve the Church in the diaconal ministry. The program is the basis for other meetings and studies required by the local Metropolitan, and complemented by service in a parish under the mentorship of the local priest.
The program is designed especially for persons who are members of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and who have the blessing of their Metropolitans to participate. Persons from other Orthodox jurisdictions may also apply to participate in the program. This program is not designed for persons who sense a calling to the priesthood.
Candidates will receive a Certificate of Study from Holy Cross upon the successful completion of the Diaconate Program. Applicants should be aware that admission into and successful completion of the Diaconate Program is not a guarantee for ordination. It is understood that the Holy Synod will determine the final criteria for ordination to the diaconate and that diaconal assignments to a particular parish or ministry are made by one’s Metropolitan.
Program Goal
To educate, train and test diaconate candidates for service in the Orthodox Church. Instruction in diaconate teleturgics are based on service in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates will:
1. Demonstrate competency of Orthodox theology and history and with the writings of the major Church Fathers.
2. Demonstrate competency in the teleturgical responsibilities of an Orthodox deacon.
3. Demonstrate competency in the yearly liturgical cycle, the various feasts and liturgical services of the Orthodox Church and the diaconate roll in those services.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of how to support the local Priest with pastoral visitations and other pastoral needs of the community.
5. Demonstrate a willingness to offer their God given gifts, beyond pastoral care, to the Priest so he may direct them in ministry to support the needs of the parish.
Each of the four educational and formational components of the program has its own supervisory framework.
Administered by Holy Cross faculty
Over a three year period the program provides a hybrid of 9 online/in person classes, three summer on campus sessions, and has a requirement for six term papers.
Click here for latest Flyer and info:
Administered by the assigned Metropolis priest
The Clergy Mentor is responsible for a minimum of 12 hours of individual guidance on the parish level in the areas of liturgical practice, and pastoral care each year. The mentor is the person that communicates the candidates progress in the program to their respective Metropolitan and the faculty of Holy Cross via the Clergy Mentor Forms 1 and 2. These forms are the same and are intended to track improvement and identify candidate weaknesses/strengths so when they come to the program session the DP Instructors can focus better on their individual needs.
Required Clergy Mentor Forms:
While the mentor works as an enabler rather than informer, he is also responsible for the training of the candidate as to how they will conduct their liturgical and pastoral responsibilities if they have the blessing to be ordained to the Diaconate by the Hierarch.
The mentoring requirements for the candidate include both the recording of ten Pastoral Visitations done with the mentor and the specific mentoring outlined in the two candidate Journal forms. These forms outline what HCHC DP Staff refers to as the Clergy Mentor shadowing experience.
Required Candidate Forms:
Requirements for formal re-admittance into the Diaconate Program after a candidate has indicated withdrawal to HCHC within the 6 year max or after the 6 year program max duration has been exceeded.
Administered by the local Metropolitan and his Regional leaders
Each Metropolitan is responsible for designating two types of Metropolis Groups.
Administered by Holy Cross faculty
Deacon Alumni and candidates are afforded several opportunities to continue their education and spiritual growth, as well as their service to their parish and community. They are encouraged to participate in Clergy-Laity, APC events, Video conference Guest speaker opportunities, and the Metropolis Fellowship/Regional Groups whenever possible and as appropriate.
HCHC Diaconate Program 2022 includes a celebration 15 year Anniversary Retreat: This retreat is open to all Diaconate Program Clergy, Mentors, Alumni, DP Staff, Regional Leaders and instructors. Please click on the link to Flyer-NOTE it includes Payment method on Flyer via QR code.
HCHC DP15YR RETREAT 2022 Flyer
See DP 2022 Session Flyer and Schedule for more details
HCHC Diaconate Program Patches Available
Attendees of the DP 15 Year anniversary shall receive one (1) Patch as a gift!
All others please contact George.
For Orders Contact: George Fekaris
HCHC Diaconate Program-Golf Shirts and Sweat Shirts Available
Contact: Dr Spiro Xydas
Click here to order Diaconate Program Shirts and Sweat Shirts
For DP 2022 Candidates the deadline to order is June 3rd, 2022.
This way we can hand deliver your order at HCHC in person at session in July.
(Diaconate Merch Model Luke Twito with Diaconate Program Mentor Fr Peter Chamberas)
Individuals who are interested in applying to the Diaconate Program should contact the Hellenic College Holy Cross diaconate program coordinator Dr. James Skedros jskedros@hchc.edu and the Diaconate Program Director of Outreach Rev Dn. Sal M. Fazio sfazio@hchc.edu cell phone 978-551-2169. The online application process will be explained, and any questions about the program application process answered. Applicants must upload a scanned copy of the the completed application and all other checklist items 1-10 listed below via the Electronic HCHC Application Process.
Note: The Hierarch’s Evaluation and Priest Recommendation forms, Checklist items 11 and 12, will be emailed directly to HCHC Admissions office bbeck@hchc.edu and DP Directors sfazio@hchc.edu and jskedros@hchc.edu. The candidate is not responsible for uploading these forms.
First year applicants must upload a scanned copy or PDF of the the completed application and all other checklist items 1-10 listed above via the Online HCHC Application Process. The Priest and Hierarch Evaluation will come directly from them to HCHC for check list items 11 and 12. Upon receiving a email confirmation the application is in progress, the candidate shall pay the non refundable Program fee of $1,775.
ALL candidates are required to pay a tuition of $1,775 for the online classes, in-person session, and regional group coordination, one month prior to the first online class start on May 7th,2022.
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