Light the Path – A Christmas Reception, benefitting the Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund, and hosted by the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos, was held on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Supporters gathered in a beautiful and festive setting to honor and uplift our seminarians and students of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC). Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas acknowledged with gratitude the individual and chapter participation of this year’s event that helped raise over $160,000. The Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund (BAPSAEF) was established 40 years ago by His Grace Bishop Anthony, of blessed memory, and continues under the spiritual leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, with the purpose of providing financial support to our seminarians and students from the Metropolis of San Francisco attending HCHC.
This year’s program offered our guests inspiring and informative speakers, including His Eminence Metropolis Gerasimos of San Francisco; Dr. Demetrios Katos, President of HCHC; and Metropolis Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas. A special panel of five seminarians and students—Joseph Bosl, Demetrius and Christina Dogias, Kosta Prevas, and Nicholas Prevas—offered heartfelt reflections on their lives at HCHC and their hopes for future ministry. This year’s holiday-themed event also included the Christmas Tree and Collectible Drawing and the Opportunity Drawing for a lovely Louis Vuitton Tote Bag. Guests also enjoyed uplifting Christmas music performed by pianist Nicholas Fettis and the I Cantori di Carmel choir offering festive music for the season.
Metropolitan Gerasimos reflected, “As we celebrate today, let us remember that this season is not about gifts under a tree, but about the gifts we give from the heart. The gift of faith. The gift of love. The gift of ensuring that those who are called to serve the Church are never left without support. You are not just donors, you are light bearers. Together, we are illuminating the path for the future of our faith.”
There are over 46 seminarians and students enrolled at HCHC in the current academic year from the Metropolis of San Francisco. Proceeds from Light the Path help these seminarians and students with tuition and housing so that when they graduate, they will have minimal student loans to repay. The Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos Board is grateful for the generosity of our parishes and faithful who support this important mission of our ministry. Donations may still be made through the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos website or by mailing a check to the Metropolis of San Francisco Ladies Philoptochos Society, P. O. Box 9954, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. May God bless our students, and may your hearts continue to respond with generosity for the future of our Orthodox faith!
Photo Credit: Allen Altchech Photography