FR. CALIVAS RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas, Professor Emeritus of Liturgics at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and past President of HCHC, was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The honor was bestowed upon the unanimous recommendation of the faculty of the Department of Social Theology and Religious Studies of the University’s School of Theology and by the unanimous consent of the Senate and Chancellor of the University.

In accordance with custom, Fr. Calivas as honoree delivered an academic address in Greek. The title of his talk was “Liturgical Renewal and Reform: Some Initial Reflections.” In his opening remarks, Fr. Calivas said, ” I receive this great honor not for myself but as an acknowledgment of the mission and work of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and its faculty.”

A 1956 graduate of Holy Cross, Fr. Calivas went on to further study at General Theological Seminary and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary before earning his Doctor of Theology degree at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He returned to Holy Cross in 1978 to teach liturgics and sacramental theology. By the time he retired in 2003, Fr. Calivas had served the School in a number of vital roles: as Chaplain, as Dean of Holy Cross, and as President. In 2009 HCHC bestowed upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the academic and spiritual life of the School.

Fr. Calivas has represented Holy Cross, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate on several regional, national, and international ecumenical and pan-Orthodox commissions, consultations, conferences, and symposia, including several of the World Council of Churches. A prolific author, he has published numerous works, including Great Week and Pascha in the Greek Orthodox Church (Holy Cross Orthodox Press), continuously in print for almost thirty years. His latest book, Ιεροτελεστικον—A Handbook on Orthodox Liturgical Practice: History, Meanings, Challenges, will be published this summer, also by Holy Cross Orthodox Press.

Axios, Fr. Calivas!