Student Anti-Vax Revolt in HCHC Exposes Once Again A Failing Leadership

By Nick Stamatakis

AB Elpidophoros has not missed an opportunity for the past two years to ask (to beg is the proper word) community leaders and organizations to help in increasing the number of students in Holy Cross / Hellenic College.  Yet for the past few days, the troubled Seminary is faced with a new serious episode of losing enrollment. What’s the reason? The revolt that is brewing among its students and some of its teachers regarding vaccination.

Instead of dealing with the subject using common sense, love, and the teachings of the Church, GOARCH and the Seminary’s administration followed the harsh “deep state” guidelines which have resulted in failure anywhere they were applied –  Greece, France and the “blue”, democrat-lead American states – are prominent examples. Instead of unity, AB Elpidophoros chose once again division and conflict. “Maybe those are not the kind of students we want at Holy Cross”, AB Elpdidophoros said at a recent meeting of the HC Board of Trustees, when he was told that there were a number of students who did not want or need to be vaccinated.

Things became much worse because of the callousness of Th. Kalmoukos’ reports at TNH.  The universally despised for his underhanded ways “theologian” raised his ignorant voice in judging those who refused to vaccinate as “unworthy” to be students of the Seminary… For one more time in his disgraceful career as a “journalist”, he chose divisiveness instead of inclusion and put first the globalist priorities supported by the Patriarchate instead of supporting basic human rights.  (You can link to a sample of his evil advice here).  Here is how he ends his “jewel” of a pathetic report, where he questions the anti-vax students’ character: “….what sort of students are attending and entering the School. What are their mindsets and their pasts? The situation brings to mind the well-known aphorism: “the wrecks of life become liturgies of the highest God.”  With pride, he explained that he sent a letter to the Archbishop to report the problem and demand action… Well, if the Archbishop listens to the advice of people like Kalmoukos, his remaining days in America are really not many…

About 20 students (OR BASICALLY HALF THE SCHOOL!!!) have been reported to refuse to vaccinate and some of them live near the campus with their families – and we all understand they are faced with additional dilemmas if they are asked to vaccinate their underage children.  In clear contrast, both St.Tikhon’s and St.Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminaries (operated by OCA) not only did not impose any such requirements but they stayed open with in-person teaching during the pandemic!  HCHC did not see it fit to consult with any students before “issuing orders”…

But in GOARCH we follow the globalist way, the road taken by Mitsotakis, Macron and recently by Biden: universal vaccination with NO exceptions as if we are managing a cattle farm.  We do not care if someone is so young that it would be ridiculous to vaccinate them, we do not even have the decency to ask if someone has any medical conditions. We do not even ask if someone has had covid and overcame it. No, the cattle attending HCHC have to be vaccinated one by one…

AB Elpidophoros’ compatriots, the Turks, always preferred force, and what did they get in return? Universal hatred and continuous revolts.  What did Mitsotakis and Macron get for their forceful hands in the pandemic? Just search the recent news and watch hundreds of thousands of people demonstrating in the streets… Wait a few weeks and you will see the same photos here in America if Biden and his team keep acting in the same fallacious way.  Let’s me re-iterate the fallacy:

• If we count the millions vaccinated already (70% of the total US population) and the even more millions who overcame naturally a covid infection, then we are well past “herd immunity”.  This fact alone should put a STOP to any further forced immunizations anywhere in the US.
• People have every right to refuse a vaccine that is experimental and does not have proper authorization by the CDC. It’s their undeniable human right.

I could go on and on but these two basic tenets should have been enough for GOARCH to make the correct decisions.  What is GOARCH planning to do next? Ask for Covid passport at the entrance of all Churches? Go ahead, chase the remaining few faithful away… They have many reasons to abandon the Church, this would be the final straw… Then you can sell the buildings and pocket the money from the properties built by the sweat of millions of Greek immigrants…

Helleniscope congratulates the HCHC students for their courageous and heartfelt response and applauds their defense of basic human rights. We expect that GOARCH and the administration of the School will moderate their unscientific (to say the least) positions.

BELOW YOU CAN SEE AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELVES THE POSITIONS OF THE TWO SIDES

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Email from a Student Representative to the President (Mr. Cantonis) and Deans of the School:

Dear President Cantonis, Vice Presidents Dn. Alexander and Dr. Demetrulias, Deans Fr. Parsenios and Dr. Patitsas, and Dr. Beck,

I hope this finds you all well.

As you are no doubt aware, the decision to impose a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine has been met with considerable resistance among both students and staff. In my conversations with members of the Hellenic College Holy Cross community, they communicated to me that their concerns are not being heard and they are at a loss as to how their Orthodox Christian school could treat them in this manner.

In my capacity as Student-Faculty Representative, I conducted a survey among students and staff who are opposed to the imposition of the vaccine, and I am writing to convey to you the findings of this survey. The survey includes not only numbers but also personal testimonies.

The respondents feel that these testimonies are important. As one put it, “Our students are good, loving, faithful, and thoughtful; they have legitimate concerns about their health, their families, and their personal medical decisions.” As you will see, many of our students are seriously considering not returning to Hellenic College Holy Cross in the fall. Sadly, some have already made this decision. Their loss is more than a matter of finances or accreditation status; these students are worth fighting for. Unfortunately, the actions of the School have left her children feeling like orphans. 

As Student-Faculty Representative, I would like this report to be shared with the faculty of our School, whom the students feel are unaware of their concerns. 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

(Student Representative – Name Withheld

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Email from Presidents Office to Students

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

As we prepare to reopen the campus for the fall semester, I must remind you that
all of you are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against
COVID-19 no later than August 17. This requirement is to ensure the continued
safety of our campus and community to the greatest extent possible. Most people
in the United States receive either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in two injections
several weeks apart, and are not considered to be fully protected until two
weeks after the second shot. This means that anyone in our community who has
not yet been vaccinated should schedule the first injection no later than
mid-July in order to meet the August 17 deadline.

A clear photo of each individual’s vaccination card should be submitted to compliance@hchc.edu as the necessary proof. Anyone with a medical or other legitimate extenuating condition that precludes vaccination should contact me at galexander@hchc.edu as soon as possible to discuss possible options for special accommodation.

You are also reminded that July 7 is the deadline for securing campus housing.
Please send your housing-related information to Marcie Moline at mmoline@hchc.edu. September 1 is the official move-in day for new students and for those moving in to married student housing. September 2 is the move-in day for all returning students who
will be living in Polemanakos Dormitory. Students with holds on their accounts
in the Finance Office will not be given keys until their accounts are in good
standing.

The past year has been a difficult one for everyone in our HCHC community, but with
God’s help and your cooperation, we have made it through and can look forward
to being together again very soon on our beautiful campus as long as we
continue to work towards the common good.

On behalf of the entire Administration, I thank you all for your patience and
understanding as we move forward. Please feel free to contact me with any
questions.

With love in Christ,

Dn. Gary D. Alexander
Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Operations and Finance