A message from Archon George M. Cantonis, President

Dear Brother Archons,

I am forwarding a letter from brother Archon George M. Cantonis, President of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology that appears below, whose beloved family I have had the privilege to know since 1984 when Maria and I went on an Archon Pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Pilgrimage led by National Commander Dr. Anthony GB Borden, included Archon and Mrs. Michael G. Cantonis, the parents of Archon George, now all of blessed memory. The Cantonis family has long been respected pillars of support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Archon Michael+ having served on the GOA  Executive Committee, the National Council of the Order of St. Andrew, the Corporate Board of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology and many other church institutions. When His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros appointed Archon George Cantonis to assume the Presidency of HC/HC he wisely chose a humble, hardworking servant leader who leads by example. Archon George knowing the urgency and dire crises facing HC/HC saw fit to actually leave his Florida home and live on campus since last summer, and now in a two bedroom married student housing unit where he is confined during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am told this extraordinarily successful businessman and former chair of the BayCare Health System, Tampa Bay’s largest health system has been home a mere 3 weeks in the past 6 months….. that says a lot about the Cantonis Family and in particular of Brother Archon George, President of HC/HC.  

Please review Archon George’s letter below and join Maria and me in responding to his call to donate at least $1,000 to Holy Cross.

In the Service of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD

Archon Aktouarios

National Commander

Hellenic College

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

50 Goddard Avenue · Brookline, MA 02445

(617) 850-1280 · fax (617) 850-1455 · www.hchc.edu

Office of the President

April 2020

Dear Brother Archon:

I pray that this finds you and your family safe and well at this time of anxiety and uncertainty. I asked our mutual friend, Dr. Anthony Limberakis, to help me reach out to our brother Archons to seek both their counsel and their support for our School.

Our campus, which was full of students attending classes just a month ago, is now very quiet, with minimal activity due to the pandemic. Yet our School remains strong in spite of this unprecedented situation. Classes have continued seamlessly online and our faculty, students, and staff are working harder than ever to ensure the viability of Hellenic College Holy Cross.

Nevertheless, we are dealing with circumstances that no one could have foreseen. It is imperative that we sustain our School during this crisis. Knowing your commitment to the Mother Church and the Archdiocese, I humbly ask that you consider offering a donation of at least $1000 to assist our Seminary at this critical juncture. Your charitable support will benefit our students directly, funding programs and services for them as we prepare for the fall semester.

Every year, Hellenic College Holy Cross relies upon the generosity of our alumni and friends to support our mission to educate future priests and lay leaders. Right now we need your help more than ever. Please visit www.hchc.edu/give/give-online/ and give as generously as you are able or feel free to send a check by mail.

I began this letter by saying that we need you to be generous with your treasure AND with your precious talents and counsel. I would very much appreciate hearing from you and welcome any recommendations, insights, or questions that you may have. We must strive together to make our School reach its potential as envisioned by our beloved Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory, and being advanced by our current Archbishop Elpidophoros, who has been very supportive. Please contact me via email at gcantonis@hchc.edu, or call me at 617-850-3500 (office) or 727-639-3598 (cell).

Thank you very much for your consideration. May God keep you and your loved ones safe and well, now and always.

Faithfully,

George M. Cantonis, Exarchos

President

Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology