HCHC Mourns the Passing of Dr. Thomas Lelon

Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology mourns  the passing of Dr. Thomas C. Lelon, who fell asleep in the Lord on May 18. Dr. Lelon served with distinction  as President of HCHC from 1976 to 1986 and remained a devoted member of the Board of Trustees for  decades, including many years as Vice Chair. Upon his appointment, he became the first layman to lead the  institution and had the longest tenure until the 15-year tenure of Fr. Nicholas Triantafiliou. 

A man of deep faith and profound love for Jesus Christ, Dr. Lelon dedicated much of his life to the mission  of the school. His more than fifty years of leadership, support, and advocacy helped shape generations of  future clergy and lay leaders in service to the Church and the world. 

“Having just celebrated Commencement at our beloved school, our greatest desire is that every graduate  be the kind of servant-leader Dr. Thomas Lelon was to Hellenic College Holy Cross for decades,” said  Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. “All of us should strive to honor his memory through our service to  the Church, to the school and to our brothers and sisters in Christ with as much faith as Dr. Lelon  demonstrated in his lifetime.” 

Added HCHC President Dr. Demetri Katos PhD., “Dr. Lelon loved this school as though it was his own alma  mater. Over the years, I witnessed him committing his whole self for its advancement. He was a man of  deep and abiding faith that radiated outwards through all his words and deeds. I’m profoundly grateful for  Dr. Lelon’s example his legacy at HCHC.” 

Dr. Lelon was honored for his visionary guidance of the school and is remembered as “the embodiment of  the servant-leader, the kind of person whom we expect every one of our graduates to become in the name  of the greatest servant-leader, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” His life and legacy remain inextricably  linked to the history and future of the school he so deeply loved. 

Dr. Lelon often spoke of the great blessing of his beloved wife Alexis, “who supported my passion and  ministry,” and of his enduring love and gratitude for his children, grandchildren, and fellow Trustees.

Hellenic College Holy Cross extends its heartfelt condolences to the Lelon family. The funeral service will  take place at the Holy Cross Chapel on campus on May 28, at 11:30 AM and will be open to the public. 

May his memory be eternal!