Retiring Hellenic College Holy Cross president, Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, honored at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel

Brookline, MA – On Friday evening, May 15, members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, dignitaries, donors, friends, and family from around the United States and North America gathered to pay tribute to the Reverend Nicholas C. Triantafilou for his 15 years of stellar leadership as president of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The event, entitled “Reflect, Honor, and Celebrate,” inaugurated the Presidential Scholarship Fund established in honor of Fr. Triantafilou. The fund supports scholarships for students, a cause which he championed throughout his tenure.

Following the invocation given by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, Helen A. Carlos and Christine Karavites, co-chairs of the event and trustees of Hellenic College Holy Cross, acknowledged the work and dedication of the Office of Institutional Advancement staff, led by the Reverend Dr. James S. Katinas in staging such a memorable event.

Front row, left to right: Presvytera Diane Triantafilou, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Reverend Nicholas C. Triantafilou. Standing left to right:  His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, His Grace Bishop John of the Antiochian Archdiocese, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, His Grace Bishop Kyrillos of Abydos, His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela

Dr. Thomas C. Lelon, Vice Chair of the Hellenic College Holy Cross Board of Trustees greeted the capacity crowd, and thanked Fr. Triantafilou for his many contributions to the institution. “Father Nicholas significantly influenced, contributed to, and enhanced the well-being of Holy Cross,” he stated. Addressing him directly, Dr. Lelon said, “You have made an everlasting mark on this institution.”

Fr. James Katinas, Director of Institutional Advancement, thanked the attended guests and sponsors for their generosity, which generated over $480,000 in donations to the Scholarship Fund, the largest amount ever raised by Hellenic College Holy Cross at a single event. Hellenic College Holy Cross Presidential Scholarships are awarded to students who possess exceptional achievement and potential in the areas of academics and leadership. During his tenure, Fr. Triantafilou has made it one of his primary missions to attract and assist high-caliber students with funding based on merit and need.

Among the many speakers who paid fitting tribute to Reverend Triantafilou was his son Constantine Triantafilou, Executive Director and CEO of International Orthodox Christian Charities. Mr. Triantafilou ended his heartfelt remarks with lyrics from a song by Josh Groban that he said best described how he felt about his father: “You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; you raise me up to walk on stormy seas, I am strong when I am on your shoulders, you raise me up to more than I can be.”

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios related highlights of Fr. Triantafilou’s tenure at Hellenic College Holy Cross. His Eminence noted the beloved outgoing president’s tireless efforts by saying, “He always has time to worship, spend time with students, all while flying around the country for critical fundraising. He has no personal agenda, but rather total personal commitment. He is an ambassador of God.”

Fr. Triantafilou expressed his gratitude to those gathered by first thanking his wife of 52 years, Presvytera Diane, saying “Thank you for your love, support, and selflessness.” He also congratulated the new president-elect, the Reverend Dr. Christopher T. Metropulos, and praised him as a “skilled communicator” who will take Hellenic College Holy Cross to the next level of excellence in fulfilling its mission.

Hellenic College Holy Cross is the intellectual, educational, and spiritual center of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. Hellenic College is the only fully accredited, four-year Orthodox Christian college in America. Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, founded in 1937, is the oldest and largest Orthodox Christian school of theology in America. Hellenic College Holy Cross is situated on a 52-acre campus overlooking downtown Boston.