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Convocation Kicks Off New Academic Year
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology welcomes His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to campus for the Convocation of the 2026-27 Academic Year at 6 PM on Sept. 13 at the Maliotis Cultural Center theater. Convocation is one of numerous events taking place at HCHC that include:
- A meeting of the Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
- Great Vespers for the Exaltation of the Cross and an Archieratical Divine Liturgy
- Rassophoria, Stavrophoria, Tonsure of Readers and a blessing for all new students
- Conference Honoring His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s 35 years of ministry
“There is always a lot of excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the start of a new school year because it coincides with a new Ecclesiastical year too,” said Interim HCHC President Fr. Michael Lambakis. “And it’s a special blessing to welcome His Eminence to campus for the school’s Feast Day. The Exaltation of the Cross is a reminder to look to it for strength when challenged in our studies and our daily lives and to keep in mind Christ’s sacrifice for all of us.”
In the archpastoral address, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros welcomed the largest incoming class in the history of the School and reflected on the deeper purpose of education: not simply to communicate information, but to form persons.
Addressing the rapid development of artificial intelligence, His Eminence reminded the community that our response should be neither fear nor fascination. The Church must continue to remind the world that not everything can be calculated, and that not everything that sounds intelligent possesses wisdom. “You are the image of God,” he emphasized. “No machine possesses the mystery of human personhood.”
Students were encouraged to make use of new technologies and learn from it, but never surrender the work that belongs to them. As His Eminence reminded us, “AI may compose the words of prayer, but it cannot pray.”
On Sept. 14, a two-day colloquium co-sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross will examine and honor 35 Years of Unprecedented Patriarchal Ministry of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. His All-Holiness is a recognized global religious leader whose ministry has shaped contemporary Orthodoxy and influenced inter-Christian dialogue, interfaith engagement and environmental stewardship.