Partakers of God (Patriarch Athenagoras Memorial Lectures)

The selection of Professor Panagiotes Chrestou to give the Patriarch Athenagoras Memorial Lectures this year is a very happy one. Perhaps more than any other scholar , he can be linked with the great Patriarch. Born in the same village in Epiros , Greece , Professor Chrestou has known Patriarch Athenagoras from an early age. Considering himself a « spiritual child » of the Patriarch , Professor Chrestou has , during his academic career , done more for Patristic studies (a favorite with the late Patriarch) than any other modern Greek scholar. Professor Chrestou's selection was equally felicitous for Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology where he began his long and distinguished teaching career. It is , therefore , with much pleasure and a great deal of pride that the present Patriarch Athenagoras Memorial Lectures are presented to our reading public. The Patriarch Athenagoras Memorial Lectures are under the patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos whose assistance makes these lectures possible , and whom we thank very much. Thanks are also due to President Thomas C. Lelon for his support and hospitality provided to our lecturer and participants. The faculty of Holy Cross , under the direction of its dean , Father Alkiviadis Calivas , has provided invaluable service to the Patriarch Athenagoras Memorial Lectures. Finally , many thanks are due to George and Chrystal Condakes for their generous support of the lectures. An endowment fund established by them in memory of their father , Peter J. Condakes , a Patriarchal Archon , provides the necessary financial support for this series.