2019 -- S 0804

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENTHRONEMENT OF HIS

EMINENCE METROPOLITAN METHODIOS ON APRIL 8, 1984

     Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Gallo, Cano, Euer, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: April 23, 2019

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, On April 8th of 1984, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios was enthroned

by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos as the Bishop of the historic Diocese of Boston, following

his election to that post by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Phanar,

Constantinople, Turkey; and

     WHEREAS, The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston includes all of Massachusetts,

Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont and the Connecticut Towns of Danielson,

Enfield, New London and Norwich, and consists of 63 parishes which minister to the needs of

approximately 200,000 Greek Orthodox faithful; and

     WHEREAS, Metropolitan Methodios was born in New York City, the third child of the

late Stavroula and Vasilios Tournas. He graduated from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral Parochial

School and the McBurney School, and received a Bachelors' degree from Hellenic College and a

Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He later

earned a Master of Sacred Theology from Boston University and was awarded Theological

Accreditation from the University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He was also awarded an Honorary

Doctor of Divinity Degree from Boston University, an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters from

the American International College, and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from his Alma

Mater, Hellenic College-Holy Cross; and

     WHEREAS, In 1985, beginning his ministries in Boston, Metropolitan Methodios

oversaw the construction of a magnificent Center which now serves as a focal point of the

Metropolis in New England, and in 1986, he established the Philoxenia House which offers

hospitality to patients and their families who have come to Boston from all over the world to

receive medical treatment; and

     WHEREAS, From July of 1989 through 1995, Bishop Methodios also assumed the

Presidency of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in

Brookline, Massachusetts, and in 1997, he was elevated to the office of Metropolitan; and

     WHEREAS, A renowned theologian, spiritual father, and a man of deep and abiding

faith, Metropolitan Methodios has been inspired and strives to daily grow and progress the

Diocese for the glory of Almighty God, to foster close civic and ecumenical ties in the City of

Boston and throughout the Diocese, and manifest the presence and contribution of Orthodoxy in

the most positive and meaningful manner; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby celebrates the 35th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan

Methodios on April 8, 1984. We moreover wish him many more years of good health and

spiritual fulfillment; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, The

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston.

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