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His Eminence '''Methodios (Tournas), Metropolitan of Boston''', is the spiritual leader of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Orthodox]] Metropolis of Boston , which includes all of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, and the Connecticut towns of Danielson, Enfield, New London, and Norwich. The Metropolis, whose offices are located in Brookline, MA, consists of 63 parishes [[parish]]es which minister to the needs of approximately 200,000 Greek Orthodox faithful.

==Hierarchical backgroundEarly life==[[Metropolitan]] Methodios (''né'' George Tournas) was enthroned as the [[Bishop]] of Boston born on [[April 8November 19]], 19841946, in New York City, following his election to that post by the Holy Synod third child of the late Stavroula and Vasilios Tournas. He graduated from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral Parochial School in New York City and the McBurney School in Manhattan. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree from [[Ecumenical PatriarchateHellenic College (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Hellenic College]] in PhanarBrookline, ConstantinopleMA, Turkey. In July 1989 Bishop Methodios also assumed in 1968, and the Presidency Bachelor of Hellenic College and Divinity Degree from [[Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology]] in Brookline, MA. He held that position till 19951971. In 1997 1972 he earned the Holy Synod Master of Sacred Theology from Boston University and in 1975 the Ecumenical Patriarchate elevated Bishop University of Thessaloniki, Greece, awarded him Theological Accreditation upon completion of further studies there. Boston University awarded Metropolitan Methodios to the office Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in May 1985. In June 1995 the American International College in Springfield, MA, awarded MetropolitanMethodios the Honorary Degree of Humane Letters. His alma mater, Hellenic College-Holy Cross, awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree on [[May 19]], 2001.

A ==Hierarchical service==Metr. Methodios was [[hierarchenthronement|enthroned]] of vision, Metropolitan Methodios inspired as the faithful of the Metropolis [[Bishop]] of Boston on [[April 8]], 1984, following his election to support him in that post by the construction [[Holy Synod]] of a magnificent center located at 162 Goddard Avenue in Brookline. Groundbreaking for this edifice took place on the [[September 14Ecumenical Patriarchate]]in Phanar, 1985. It was completed a year later, on September 14Constantinople, 1986Turkey. From this center, In July 1989 Bishop Methodios also assumed the focal point Presidency of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of the Metropolis Theology in New EnglandBrookline, many programs emanate which serve and enlighten MA. He held that position until 1995. In 1997 the faithful and share Orthodoxy with the public-at-large. These programs include Holy Synod of the Marriage Preparation Seminars, instituted by Metropolitan Ecumenical Patriarchate elevated Bishop Methodios in 1987, for all couples who are getting married in to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis office of Boston. It is a most successful program which is being adapted nationallyMetropolitan.

In 1986 Metropolitan A [[hierarch]] of vision, Metr. Methodios established inspired the Philoxenia House which offers hospitality to patients and those who accompany them who come to faithful of the Metropolis of Boston for medical reasons and cannot afford to stay support him in the construction of a magnificent center located at 162 Goddard Avenue in hotelsBrookline. Guests to the Philoxenia House have come from GreeceGroundbreaking for this edifice took place on [[September 14]], Cyprus1985. It was completed a year later, South Americaon September 14, South Africa1986. From this center, Egypt, Russia, Yugoslavia, Bulgariathe focal point of the Metropolis in New England, many programs emanate which serve and enlighten the faithful and throughout share Orthodoxy with the United Statespublic-at-large. Metropolitan These programs include the Marriage Preparation Seminars, instituted by Methodios is assisted by the Philoptochos women and the faithful throughout in 1987, for all couples who are getting married in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis in this ministryof Boston. It is a most successful program which is being adapted nationally.

In 1986 Methodios established the summer of 1998, through Metropolitan Methodios' tireless efforts Philoxenia House which offers hospitality to patients and his ability those who accompany them who come to translate his vision Boston for medical reasons and enthuse cannot afford to stay in hotels. Guests to the faithfulPhiloxenia House have come from Greece, Cyprus, South America, South Africa, Egypt, the Diocese of Boston acquired Camp Merrimack in ContoocookRussia, NHYugoslavia, a largeBulgaria, picturesque property which will serve as a Camp and Retreat Center offering enriching programs for allthroughout the United States. Metr. Methodios is assisted by the Philoptochos women and the faithful throughout the Metropolis in this ministry.

==Life==Metropolitan Methodios (in In the world George Tournas) was born on [[November 19]]summer of 1998, 1946, in New York City, the third child of the late Stavroula through Methodios' tireless efforts and Vasilios Tournas. He graduated from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral Parochial School in New York City his ability to translate his vision and enthuse the McBurney School in Manhattan. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree from [[Hellenic College (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Hellenic College]] in Brookline, MA, in 1968faithful, and the Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1971. In 1972 he earned the Master of Sacred Theology from Boston University and in 1975 the University of Thessaloniki, Greece, awarded him Theological Accreditation upon completion Diocese of further studies there. Boston University awarded Metropolitan Methodios the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in May 1985. In June 1995 the American International College acquired Camp Merrimack in Springfield, MA, awarded Metropolitan Methodios the Honorary Degree of Humane Letters. His alma materContoocook, Hellenic College-Holy CrossNH, awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree on [[May 19]]a large, 2001picturesque property which will serve as a Camp and Retreat Center offering enriching programs for all.

Metropolitan Metr. Methodios served as a member of the National Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultations Board. As a member of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an organization devoted to the cause of worldwide religious freedom for all denominations, Metropolitan Methodios traveled to Hungary in 1981, and in the fall of 1982 he was a member of a three-man religious delegation that visited the Soviet Union. A second visit to the Soviet Union was made in September of 1984. Metropolitan Metr. Methodios is a member of the Holy Synod of the [[Greek Orthodox Church in Archdiocese of America]], served on the Executive Board of the [[National Council of Churches]] and is a member of the Massachusetts Commission on Christian Unity and the New England Consultation of Church Leaders. He is listed in ''Who's Who in Religion'', is a member of the Commission of the [[Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas]] and serves on various other religious boards and organizations.

Metropolitan Metr. Methodios is [[ecumenism|ecumenical]] with an open mind and heart. "We must witness to what we believe," he says, "but that should not separate us from those who disagree. We should concentrate more on those things that unite us and let the [[Holy Spirit]] guide us in issues that separate us."

Metropolitan Metr. Methodios often quotes the parable of the Final Judgment recorded in [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 25. Calling it one of the most meaningful passages in the [[Holy Scripture]], Metropolitan Methodios reminds all that "in it our Lord and Savior [[Jesus Christ]] identified Himself with the hungry and thirsty, the stranger and the maimed, the sick and the prisoner ... to underscore a principle which many of us, caught up in the daily whirl of our own selfish routine, tend to forget or ignore. Specifically, that our dealings and treatment of one another are actually dealings with Christ Himself, and upon this reality our own judgment will be based." "This is a truth of the greatest magnitude upon which we must reflect most seriously," emphasizes Metropolitan Methodios. The bishop, who walks at the annual Walk for Hunger sponsored by Project Bread, Inc., is a frequent visitor to area soup kitchens where he serves food to those who are in need. For his "unique contribution in the crusade against hunger and homelessness," Metropolitan Metr. Methodios has been honored by the Quincy Community Action Organization, Inc., in Quincy, MA. He has also been awarded the "Good Neighbor" Award by the Jewish Brotherhood Congregation Mishkan Tefila in Chestnut Hill, MA.

Metropolitan Metr. Methodios' message is a simple one. "Christ did not preach theology," he reminds. "His theology was written on the cross, in His own Blood, a theology of love and forgiveness. At the end, we will not be asked to voice a holy formula but we will be judged on how we treated our neighbors."

title=Metropolitan of Boston<br> ([[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Archdiocese]])|