Holy Cross Greek Orthodox seminary receives $7.4 million grant for parish-based training

Brookline, Massachusetts, December 8, 2025

Photo: goarch.org Photo: goarch.org     

Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology has received a $7.4 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to redesign its Master of Divinity program with extensive practical pastoral training in parish settings. This is the largest grant Holy Cross has received in recent history.

The five-year project, titled Koinonia: Priestly Formation in Communion, was funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Large-Scale Collaboration Initiative. The grant is one of 45 approved in this competitive round supporting theological schools, seminaries, colleges and universities, and church-related organizations, the school reports.

“This grant represents a transformative opportunity for the parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the clergy who serve them today – and for generations of clergy to come as we revise our Master of Divinity program,” said HCHC President Dr. Demetrios Katos.

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said the renewal of priestly formation through intensive parish immersion is essential for the vitality of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. “This initiative will produce priests who are spiritually mature, pastorally skilled, and ready to shepherd Christ’s flock with compassion and competence,” he said.

The project focuses on collaboration between Greek Orthodox parishes and Metropolises with Holy Cross in establishing an intensive full-time, one-semester parish practicum internship. The program will provide opportunities for developing practical, catechetical, and pastoral leadership skills along with personal and spiritual development.

Two other Orthodox seminaries have also received grants from the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary received $1 million for an educational outreach program that will develop online video content for parish education and continuing education courses for clergy. St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary received $920,000 for a program focused on developing pathways for second-career priestly vocations.

Lilly Endowment launched the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative in 2021 and has since provided more than $700 million in grants to support 163 theological schools in strengthening their educational and financial capacities.

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12/8/2025

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