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HJ Clergy Corner: June 2007
OXFORD REVISITED
Fr. Michael Pappas
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
San Francisco, California
Mentors inspire their devotees to aspire to heights never imagined. Long before I ever stepped foot on British soil, Fr. Leon Contos of
blessed memory, took a patient interest in this newly ordained priest and, in turn, offered a sterling paradigm for emulation. Fr. Leon’s
distinct and charming acquired accent betrayed the profound impression, which his studies at Oxford University left on his formation as a
priest and scholar.
Several were the occasions when, in the course of offering sage counsel, he would make reference to a particular Oxford tradition and smile
with nostalgic satisfaction that he’d been privileged to matriculate and take a degree at such a venerable university.
On a trip to England several years ago I made a point to spend time at Oxford and saw firsthand the ancient buildings where some of history’s
finest scholars were educated. Perhaps a dream, if not a prayer, I’d always hoped for the occasion to return to do scholarly work there.
That prayer was answered when I received an invitation to join 34 esteemed academicians for a seven-day symposium at Oxford University’s
Pembroke College to debate the merits of public versus parochial education in the United States. The symposium was orchestrated and
facilitated by the prestigious Oxford Round Table.
The lone Greek Orthodox at the symposium, I came to realize that the benefit of making this transatlantic journey, just a week before Holy
Week, was closely tied to the very reason I was selected to participate, because of the other hat I wear in ministry, Principal of the Holy
Trinity Orthodox School. I saw in this invitation a rare opportunity to glean from other highly trained educators cutting edge ideas and
skills that would enhance and enrich our precious parochial school. Indeed the superior caliber of the participants and exceptional content
of the papers presented did not disappoint.
Along with my colleagues, I was called to rise to the task of researching, preparing and defending a thesis. Interviewing administrators of
parochial schools in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese as my sample, as well as those of Trinity Charter Schools, I endeavored to examine the
financial, credential and staffing challenges which parochial schools face juxtaposed to those of emerging charter schools. In the course of
research many fascinating revelations surfaced. The final presentation elicited from my peers encouragement to recommit to furthering the
noble goals of Holy Trinity Orthodox School’s educational vision and mission.
In addition to the academic dimension, the other intent of the symposium was to immerse the participants in the Oxford Experience. As such,
like the students who for centuries matriculated at the University, we ate in Pembroke¹s Great Hall, slept in the historic dormitories,
deliberated and debated at venerable Lincoln College, and were given walking tours, which themselves proved to be fascinating lectures of
the history and academic life of the University. As Fr. Leon's venerable alma mater, Christ Church College, was located just across the
street from Pembroke, I was blessed to attend Evensong worship at the University¹s magnificent Cathedral Chapel and listen to the angelic
voices of the student choir.
In a small way, this rich and unique experience gave me an acute insight into a force, which powerfully shaped my mentor. More importantly,
as we deliberated on these hallowed grounds I could not help but be thankful that Fr. Leon continues to inspire in my heart and mind a desire
to pursue excellence and truth.
Fr. Michael Index
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