(NY)
The National Herald [Long Island, NY]
December 7, 2025
By Evelyn Karatzas
BOSTON – A Greek-American allegedly a victim of abuse at St Basil Academy in Garrison, NY, Christopher Bowen is set to take his case to trial after years of discovery and delays post-COVID.
From the ages of 12 to 17, (1982 to 1987), following the passing of his mother, Christopher Bowen was a resident of Saint Basil Academy – a place designed to provide a home, and a safe and supportive environment to children in need, run by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
His experience there, however, was not one that made him feel safe, nor supported, after suffering what he claims were years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse from mentors, and people he trusted at the residential institution.
In November of 2024, Bowen spoke in an interview with The National Herald, revealing his alleged abuser as Finley Everett Eubanks – a former music and religion teacher, dorm supervisor and office administrator at Saint Basil Academy (between 1981 to 1987), who passed away in 2002.
He recalled his traumatic experiences at the Academy as some that would “take too long to list… In the older boys’ dorm, it was a regular Friday night event for Everett to put a porno tape on in our TV room for all of the boys to view. There were many instances of inappropriate comments, touching, fondling,” Bowen previously told TNH.
Bowen additionally alleged how Everett Eubanks had no teaching qualifications, nor experience working with children prior to his employment with the Academy.
The National Herald recently reached out to Saint Basil Academy for a comment on Bowen’s ongoing cases. They replied in a statement that they take “allegations of sexual misconduct with the utmost seriousness, particularly those involving children.”
“While we cannot comment in detail on pending litigation, we can state unequivocally that the Academy – both today and in decades past – absolutely condemns any form of sexual abuse and remains committed to the safety, dignity, and well-being of every child entrusted to its care.”
Now, one year on since sharing his story with TNH, at the age of 55, a major breakthrough has been made in Bowen’s case.
In a recent interview, Bowen explained “after a year full of delays, we finally finished the discovery phase… So, we filed what’s called a Note of Issue and a readiness for trial on October 29, and we’re hoping to get a court date, a trial date in the very near future.”
He explained how opposing counsel then had up to 20 days to file any kind of motion to indicate why they have to continue the discovery phase following this.
It was then revealed following November 18, that the opposing council did not extend discovery, meaning Bowen and his legal team can now expect to receive their trial date within the next two months.
The Greek-American St Basil Academy abuse victim stated how he initially decided to come forward with his experience of abuse and contact his attorney in 2017, after years of battling complex PTSD and trauma, and living with severe anxiety and depression following his abuse.
“When I was younger, there were weeks where I couldn’t get out of bed, and the insidious thing about childhood sexual abuse is that the person who perpetrates it on you makes it seem like it’s normal, and it’s something that’s your fault, and it kind of gets into your brain that something’s wrong with me and it’s my fault… it’s really hard to explain,” Bowen told TNH.
“The grooming process is really what normalizes the abuse, and in 2016, I got to a point where I had a suicidal episode…and that led me to give a suicide hotline a chance, and I called them, and I promised them that I would stick around long enough for my daughter because she needed me, and I didn’t have anybody there for me when I was a kid.”
Bowen later underwent intensive outpatient therapy, involving three hours of therapy, four days a week, where he finally realized what he had endured, and how he could work through it. The year after, he came forward with his experience.
He shared what encouraged his decision to speak out. “Honestly, it was anger. It was, ‘I’m bearing this cross that’s not mine to bear, and this s*** is living rent-free in my head, and I’m not going to let it hurt my child [his 19-year-old daughter],’” Bowen expressed.
“My attorney sometimes has a problem with me because he’s like, ‘you need to stop being an advocate and start being a victim,’ and I was a victim for 40 f****** years, and now – I’m a survivor, and I’m not going to let this control me. I’m not going to let them dictate the things that happened to me, or dictate who I am.”
Bowen explained how coming forward for him is an “act of defiance.”
“It’s an act of me saying, ‘see, you couldn’t f****** kill me, you couldn’t get me to keep your secrets, and I’m still here, I’m still on the face of the f****** planet,’ and that has been what’s kept me going,” he said.
Christopher Bowen further revealed how he felt to be so close to trial, after years of advocating for himself and the pain and trauma he experienced.
“Honestly, right now, at 55 I’m exhausted – so I’m glad that it will hopefully be coming to a close soon,” he said.
“I’m happy that I was able to diagnose what was wrong with me personally and mentally earlier, so my daughter could not be touched by any of this, but really just relieved and excited to hopefully go to trial and tell the story.”
He said his goal is that “the truth will come out, and then it’s out of my hands and in God’s hands.”
Bowen and four other former students, who wish not to be named, are now involved in a legal case to seek justice for the years of abuse they say they endured as young children and teens, while living at Saint Basil Academy in Garrison.
The full statement made to The National Herald from Saint Basil Academy follows:
“St. Basil’s Academy takes all allegations of sexual misconduct with the utmost seriousness, particularly those involving children. While we cannot comment in detail on pending litigation, we can state unequivocally that the Academy – both today and in decades past – absolutely condemns any form of sexual abuse and remains committed to the safety, dignity, and well-being of every child entrusted to its care.
The claims at issue relate to events alleged to have occurred more than forty years ago. We believe we have strong defenses to these allegations, and we will address them respectfully and appropriately through the judicial process. Out of respect for that process and all involved, we will not be making further comment at this time.”