Huffington Ecumenical Institute To Be Established at Hellenic College Holy Cross

Michael Huffington at the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced on April 1, 2022, a gift to Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology by Michael Huffington, a faithful member of Leadership 100. The $2.5 million dollar gift, and a matching gift by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for $2.5 million, will establish the Huffington Ecumenical Institute on the campus of HCHC in Brookline, MA. The contribution by the Archdiocese was funded from the proceeds of the estate of Suzanne Mados whose bequest provided, in part, for funding of Greek Orthodox schools operated by the Archdiocese.

Upon receiving the donation, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America stated, “Mr. Michael Huffington, a devoted Greek Orthodox Christian, has again answered the call of our Church. He has offered a very generous gift that, buoyed by the matching grant of our Holy Archdiocese, will establish an Institute that will foster ecumenical dialogue into the future. I deeply value my close relationship with Michael and am grateful for his vision and commitment to our Archdiocese and to Hellenic College Holy Cross.”

HCHC President George M. Cantonis said, “This sacred and unique institution can now expand its academic and spiritual outreach thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Michael Huffington and our Archdiocese. We look forward to repaying their faith in the mission of Hellenic College Holy Cross by making the Huffington Ecumenical Institute an internationally recognized center of scholarship dedicated to greater understanding and cooperation among Christians.”

The Huffington Ecumenical Institute will develop and conduct programs and studies regarding the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church that are intended to foster dialogue among the three Churches. Hellenic College Holy Cross will solely determine the programs and studies that will be part of its academic programs and will consult with the Huffington Ecumenical Institute located at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. The Huffington Ecumenical Institute at HCHC will be located on campus at what was formerly known as the Barletta property, which includes a building suitable for office and meeting space, as well as the housing of visiting speakers. A search will begin shortly for an Executive Director, who will be full-time faculty reporting to the Dean of Holy Cross.