Congratulations to the 15 students from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco that graduated from Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Students on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The Maliotis Center was filled with family, friends, faculty and supporters who were present to offer their support and encouragement to all the men and women who were part of the class of 2026.

The Metropolis of San Francisco students included:

Master of Divinity

• Gabriel Braskett*** (Assumption Greek Orthodox Church – Scottsdale, AZ)
• Rev. Deacon Demetrius Dogias* (Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church – Sacramento, CA)
• Rev. Fr. Basil McAfee*** (Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church – Beaverton, OR)
• George Miller** (Assumption Greek Orthodox Church – Scottsdale, AZ)
• Heathcliffe Nicholas Shin** (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church – Long Beach, CA)

Master of Theology

• Rev. Father Constantinos Economos*** (Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral – San Francisco, CA)

Bachelor of Arts

• Pavlos Blankenstein (Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church – Beaverton, OR)
• Matthew Carroll** (Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church – Redondo Beach, CA)
• Geoffrey Dyer** (Saint George Greek Orthodox Church – Eugene, OR)
• Joseph Fararji (Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church – Anaheim, CA)
• Andrew Hadweh*** (Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church – Modesto, CA)
• Andrew Moreno (Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church – Chandler, AZ)
• Konstantinos Prevas* (Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church – Northridge, CA)
• Nicholas Rakos* (Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral – San Francisco, CA)
• Peter Vagelatos* (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church – Long Beach, CA)

For the 2025 – 2026 academic year, the Metropolis of San Francisco had a record 52 students enrolled in various degree programs as well as the Semester of Faith. Special thanks are extended to the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos who awarded nearly $180,000 in scholarships to these students encouraging them in their ongoing pursuit of academic and ministerial excellence. For over 40 years, the Metropolis Philoptochos has been supporting HCHC students through the Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund which has provided over $4 million in support for hundreds of students from the Metropolis of San Francisco. Philoptochos chapters from across the Metropolis also participate in the “Adopt A Student” program where they are matched with an HCHC student from the west coast, keeping in contact through notes of encouragement and care packages sent throughout the academic year.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Graduation Designations
*With Distinction
**With High Distinction
***With Highest Distinction