In the summer of 1994, Christal Chaney approached her spiritual father, Fr. John Chakos, with a dream. As a new convert to Orthodoxy, she was enthusiastic about her faith. But one thing was missing. In spite of the rich traditions and history of the Orthodox faith, there were few Orthodox Christian schools in the country and no Orthodox schools in the Pittsburgh area. Christal, a Professor of Education at Point Park University, had a dream to establish a school where her future children, along with other Orthodox children, could be exposed to academic excellence in a nurturing Orthodox Christian environment.
With strong commitment and enthusiasm, Fr. John and Christal called together a group of devoted clergy and parents. Three Hierarchs Eastern Orthodox School (known as THEOS.) was born. Four long years later, after countless hours of planning and praying, THEOS opened its doors at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania with eleven preschool children, modest teaching materials, and a very limited budget. Taking a tremendous leap of faith, a small group of clergy, board members, teachers, and parents helped to make the dream of an Orthodox school come true!
Through the grace of God, the school quickly thrived. By January of the first year, the enrollment grew to thirteen, and by the following year, the enrollment had tripled. By the end of the first year, news of this extraordinary Orthodox school had reached the ears of a small but determined group of parents in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. As a result of the hard work of Fr. Nicholas Palis and Ellen Kaffenes, the graciousness of Fr. Elias at the St. George Byzantine Catholic Church, and the generosity of Fr. John and Christal, the Aliquippa Center miraculously opened its doors in the fall of 1999.
Progressing one grade per year, THEOS outgrew the space of its host parish, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church. In August of 2006, the THEOS Board located a new home for the school community. By God’s Grace, THEOS Preschool through Eighth Grades relocated to 1819 Ellsworth Avenue, Heidelberg, PA in September of the 2007-2008 school year.
Throughout the past 14 years, amidst hard work and financial challenges, one thing has become evident. At every turn, when there has been a need, God has consistently provided. Now in our midst is the realization of a dream. The modest little school is a seed from which other Orthodox schools around the country are beginning to take root. THEOS is the handiwork of God, a gift our children will forever carry in their hearts.
Listen to Dr. Christal Chaney, Director of Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian School, speak on the history and philosophy guiding THEOS.
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Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio.
The original teaching team of T.H.E.O.S. – 1998
Mrs. Mary Jo Wienheimer, Dr. Christal Chaney, Fr. John Chakos, Presbytera Sandy Chakos, Mrs. Yvonne Doncic
The Early Years at T.H.E.O.S.
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Founding Families Picnic
