Attending the event were Archbishop Demetrios of America and Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, as well as members of the board of trustees, local clergy, invited guests, faculty and students.

In his remarks, Archbishop Demetrios referred to his collegial relationship with the honoree, dating back to the time of his own tenure as a member of the faculty of Holy Cross. He expressed gratitude for the years

of service Patsavos has given to Holy Cross as a professor and to the Archdiocese as a consultant on canonical affairs.

Also offering remarks were the Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College, and the Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald, dean of Holy Cross School of Theology.

Patsavos expressed appreciation for the event in his honor. He then spoke on the theme of his book, A Noble Task, which takes its title from the instruction of St. Paul to his spiritual son Timothy: "If anyone aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task" (l Tim 3:1). Patsavos stressed that although the words speak of the office of bishop, all ministry exercised in the name of Christ is noble.

Patsavos' purpose in writing the book was to give those aspiring to the office of the priesthood an account of the virtuous life that should be their goal.

Patsavos began his full-time teaching career at Holy Cross School of Theology in 1974 after years of study in Greece, Germany and Italy. He has taught Orthodox canon law and directed the practical training of students through the field education program at Holy Cross.