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Michalel Psaros Donates $3 Million to Georgetown University for the Establishment of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Chaplaincy

By NEO Magazine on October 28, 2021

On October 25, 2021, Archon Michael Psaros announced the establishment of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Endowed Orthodox Chaplaincy at Georgetown University, endowed by the Psaros family. The announcement was made at a dinner at Georgetown University held in honor Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. This gift ensures that the Orthodox ministry at the university will be in perpetuity.

PHOTO: MIKE MANATOS

Introducing the Ecumenical Patriarch at the dinner, Mr. Psaros, a graduate of Georgetown, stated the following:

“Five years ago, Georgetown University asked me to donate an Orthodox Iconostasis and Icons for the “Sacred Space” of Copley Crypt.

I was overwhelmed by the ecumenical overture from Georgetown to the Orthodox Community, and therefore this symbolic ecumenical overture from the Western Church to the Eastern Church.

I cried when I got the call, but was not surprised – this is Georgetown, a truly global university which celebrates faith and service, grounded in the Roman Catholic and Jesuit tradition. This is Georgetown at its best. This is who we are.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with Michael Psaros and Metropolitan Bishop Methodios at the Copley Crypt Chapel of Georgetown University. PHOTO: GOA/D.PANAGOS

I am who I am today because of my family, the Holy Orthodox Church, and Georgetown University. All share and reinforce the same values and value system.

The crucial Icon in the Copley Sacred Space is the Icon of St. Andrew embracing his brother, St. Peter. I specifically requested the creation of this Icon because when His All Holiness met Pope Francis in Jerusalem, they greeted each other with “My Brother Andrew, My Brother Peter”. I was there. Many of you were there.

Today, on this historic visit by His-All-Holiness to Georgetown University, my family is honored and humbled to announce the creation of “The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Endowed Orthodox Chaplaincy, Endowed by the Michael Psaros Family.” The Orthodox Ministry at Georgetown will now last forever.

This Endowment is the opportunity for my family to give back to the Church and the University, a blessing of blessings.

It is fitting, that Georgetown University, is now in possession of a true Patriarchal Seat, in the name of Bartholomew.

His All Holiness is the longest serving Ecumenical Patriarch in history, and the greatest in modern history.

PHOTO: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WEBSITE

The creation of this Patriarchal Seat is also in recognition of the recent 30th anniversary of His-All-Holiness’ momentous Enthronement.

I now have the great blessing and privilege to invite the 270th Successor to the See of the Holy Apostle and the First-Called Andrew, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to the podium, for us to receive his Patriarchal blessing and wisdom.”

According to Georgetown’s website, the first service of the Orthodox Chaplaincy is the one for the Beginning of the Academic year and includes all present being individually blessed with Holy Water. Liturgy is the primary expression of the Orthodox faith, and the Orthodox Ministry at Georgetown centers on liturgical services. During most of the academic year they gather weekly for vespers in Copley Crypt Chapel. Vespers, an evening prayer service, reflects the Orthodox Liturgical calendar and marks Holy Days and Saints days. During Great Lent they hold the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts so that students have an opportunity to receive communion on campus. On Sundays students are encouraged to go to one of two local Orthodox churches. For Pascha the university provides transportation to and from those churches for midnight services.

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