Holy Trinity Endowment Funds
Through the generosity of a number of benefactors, initiated by Drs. Anthony & Joyce Kales, our Cathedral has set aside funds (separate from operating funds) which have been held in endowment for the benefit of our Cathedral youth, our seniors, and the long term maintenance and beautification of our cathedral. Dr. Anthony Kales passed away in late 2023. Click here to read his Obituary and here to learn more about his professional accomplishments in the area of Sleep Research.
These Endowment Funds are looked after by a board of trustees, under the guidance of our Parish Council.
Please consider these funds in you and your family's planned giving. If you wish to contribute, please contact a member of Parish Council or a member of the board of trustees which currently include: Everette Hamilton, John Peslis, John G. Kotsalos, Dr. Maria Papoutsis, and Dimitri Zozos.
- Three Hierarchs Scholarship Endowment Trust
- Greek School Restricted Endowment Trust in Memory of Anastasia Vgontzas
- Summer Camp Endowment Trust
- Saints Eleftherios and Stylianos JOY Endowment Trust
- Saints Joachim and Anna Senior Citizens Endowment Trust
- Building Endowment Trust
The local AHEPA Chapter 64 maintains a generous scholarship fund which is not one of our endowment funds, but has helped many of our youth in their educations.
Fr. Michael Varvarelis maintains an Agape fund for special needs. You may contribute to the Agape fund by contacting Fr. Michael.
History:
The endowment funds at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral were conceived, developed, established and originally funded by Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales, beginning in 1981. The Drs. Kales were greatly encouraged and facilitated at that time by Father George Daskalakis and Georgia Touloumes, the Parish Council President. Through their planning and funding, Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales established five endowment funds at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral: The Three Hierarchs Scholarship Endowment Fund; Saints Joachim and Anna Endowment (Senior Citizens Fund); Saints Eleftherios and Stylianos Endowment (Joy Fund); Saint Gregory Palamas Endowment(Holy Cross Seminary Fund); and Saint Cosmas Etolos Endowment(Greek School Fund).
Over the years, the Drs. Kales continued to add funds to the various endowments. Also, Dr. Anthony Kales managed these funds for a period of about 20 years, more than doubling the total assets. All in all, the Drs. Kales, through their own funding and conservative management of the funds, are responsible for well over half of the total current endowment funds at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales are to be commended for their generosity as well as their foresight in establishing these endowment funds to provide various benefits to the parishioners of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
John Prokop had a 40 year distinguished career as teacher, counselor, advisor and administrator at schools in Mechanicsburg, Red Lion and Harrisburg. He was a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor's degree in Business Education and a Master's Degree in Vocational Psychology/Counseling and furthered his education at Penn State University with a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology.
He was a past president and life member of AHEPA Chapter 64 and a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral where he served on its Parish Council. John was also a veteran of the US Navy in World War II.
John's sister, Freda Vladyka was also a dedicated steward of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedra. She served her Cathedral in numerous volunteer capacities, including many more years than she would admit teaching Sunday School. Her Sunday School students enjoyed her gentle approach of teaching stories of the Bible, which made learning so much easier.
Freda Prokop-Vladyka’s Last Will stands as monument to the religious and educational values John and Freda shared during their lifetimes. The bequests to the Cathedral providing for improvements and maintenance of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral complex and to Freda’s beloved Sunday School emphasize the importance of religion and education in their lives. The bequests she made to Shippensburg University and the establishment of the John Prokop / Freda Prokop-Vladyka AHEPA Chapter No. 64 Merit Scholarship speak volumes of their love for education.
Since the establishment of the John Prokop / Freda Prokop-Vladyka AHEPA Chapter No. 64 Merit Scholarship, the lives and futures of over 100 children of our Cathedral have benefited from and been enhanced by the generosity of the Prokop siblings, with Scholarships totaling in excess of $70,000.
Youth Funds:
Greek School Restricted Endowment Trust in Memory of Anastasia Vgontzas (Restricted)
This Trust is established by Dr. Alex Vgontzas in memory of Anastasia Vgontzas for the primary purpose of promoting the Greek language, culture and heritage through educational scholarships to Holy Trinity Greek School students and graduates.
Summer Camp Endowment Trust (Restricted)
This Trust is established for the purpose of financially assisting young Holy Trinity parishioners to attend our Metropolis’ annual summer camp.
Saints Eleftherios and Stylianos JOY Endowment Trust (Restricted - 10% annual withdrawal cap)
This Trust is established to help fund activities for young parishioners who belong to the JOY group.
Scholarship Funds:
Three Hierarchs Scholarship Endowment Trust (Restricted)
This Trust is established to recognize and stimulate interest in superior academic achievement among Holy Trinity’s young parishioners. Drs. Joyce and Anthony Kales have provided substantial funding and fund management efforts to the Three Hierarchs Scholarship Endowment which has allowed for several scholarships each year. The later addition of the Constantine and Catherine Costopoulos Family Fund within the overall Three Hierarchs Scholarship Fund provides for an additional scholarship.
Saint Gregory Palamas Holy Cross Seminary Restricted Endowment Trust (Restricted)
This Trust is established to encourage Holy Trinity’s young parishioners to attend Holy Cross Seminary with the purpose of entering the priesthood or providing church service. This Trust is also intended to provide financial support to Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary.
Additionally, the local AHEPA Chapter 64 maintains a generous scholarship fund which is not one of our endowment funds, but has helped many of our youth in their educations.
Senior Fund:
Saints Joachim and Anna Senior Citizens Endowment Trust (Unrestricted - 20% annual withdrawal cap)
This Trust is established to provide financial assistance to activities related to Holy Trinity’s senior citizens. It supports the purpose of keeping the senior citizens actively involved in the church and of having them remain an integral part of the church in their later years. 20% annual withdrawal cap.
Building Fund:
Building Endowment Trust (Unrestricted - 60% annual withdrawal cap)
This Trust is established for the purpose of providing funds for significant repairs, maintenance, improvements and new construction to Holy Trinity’s building and grounds.
Needy Fund:
Agape Fund. While not maintained as an endowment fund, Fr. Michael Varvarelis maintains an Agape fund for special needs. You may contribute to the Agape fund by contacting Fr. Michael.