On Thursday, August 24, 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Philipos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church visited Hellenic College / Holy Cross School of Theology at the invitation of Fr. John Chryssavgis, Executive Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute. Abune Philipos is Archbishop of the South Omo Diocese and President of Holy Trinity University. The Tewahedo Church, the largest of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, is in sub-Saharan Africa and originates before European colonization, dating back to the acceptance of Christianity by the Kingdom of Aksum in 330 CE. As a church deeply committed to inter-Christian encounter and unity, it was a founding member of the World Council of Churches. Located in Addis Ababa and founded in 1942, Holy Trinity University educates clergy and monastics, as well as lay students in theological doctrine and religious education.
Archbishop Philipos, who was accompanied by local members of the Ethiopian community, also met with President George Cantonis and Rev. Gary Alexander, Vice President of Administrative Affairs, Operations and Finance. Rev. Patrick O’Rourke, Dean of Students, provided a tour of the campus for the Archbishop and his entourage.