HCHC RECEIVES $2.75 MILLION BEQUEST FROM THEOFILIS ESTATE

Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology has received a $2.75 million bequest from the estate and trust of Helen B. Theofilis of Clearwater, Florida. The bequest is the largest ever received by HCHC.

The Basil and Helen Theofilis Charitable Fund for Hellenic Causes requests that $1 million of the Fund be used to permanently endow room and board scholarships for married seminarians at Holy Cross, and $1 million to permanently endow tuition and book scholarships for non-seminarian Hellenic College students. The remaining $750,000 is earmarked for capital repairs, of which $350,000 is specifically designated for Holy Cross Chapel and its grounds.

A longtime parishioner of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater, Helen first met HCHC President George M. Cantonis forty years ago. “We are extremely grateful to Helen for her extraordinary faith, vision, and generosity,” he says. “This unprecedented gift will benefit our students and our campus immensely and in perpetuity. We are also very grateful to Fr. James Paris, Proistamenos of Holy Trinity, Parish Council President George Mantzaris, and Jim Curtis and John Gargano, Trustees of the Helen B. Theofilis Revocable Trust, for their instrumental role in making Helen aware of our School’s needs.”

Fr. James Katinas, HCHC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, echoed the sentiments of President Cantonis: “Words cannot convey how thankful we are for this tremendous gift and for the support of all our beloved benefactors at every level. It is their generosity that allows HCHC to fulfill its vital mission of preparing students for exemplary service in the Church, their communities, and their chosen professions.” 

HCHC has received many other philanthropic bequests since its inception, including $2 million in just the past two years. Unfortunately, however, it has not often been able to know and thank, in their lifetimes, those who made provisions for the School in their wills or planned giving. Therefore, HCHC will soon be launching its new Legacy Society to thank, recognize, and enjoy fellowship with its beloved benefactors who have included the school in their planned giving.