Jim Kastanis Responds to the Stewardship Committee Letter

January 21, 2008

Reply to the letter to the community from the stewardship committee.

“Responsibility of stewardship to our church.”

Let us start by reviewing 2007 and seeing what our stewardship provided the community.

1. Spring General Assembly: Metropolitan gives approval to hold a General Assembly to sanction Foundation Effort. The largest assembly ever in recent years. (300+) Foundation is approved by the assembly overwhelmingly. Metropolitan rejects the results. Additional correspondence throughout the year and no final approval as yet. CONTINUE TO PAY
   
2. A board member questions the Metropolitan's rejection of the Foundation and is subsequently dismissed from the board and denied his Sacraments. CONTINUE TO PAY
   
3. General Assembly approves and passes a motion to request a third Priest. A letter is to be sent immediately to the Metropolitan requesting that our third priest be Fr. Mario Giannopoulos. Weeks later a letter from the Metropolitan rejects the assembly motion because the community cannot afford a third Priest, with additional reasons mentioned. The letter of request was not written as passed by the assembly, but was written to infer that the community did not have sufficient funds for a third Priest. Thus the Metropolitan rejects the motion. CONTINUE TO PAY
   
4. The Metropolitan then appoints Fr. Mathew as Proistamenos at Holy Trinity. This action was taken prior to sending out a special survey to determine if the community wishes to split into two separate churches, or remain as one united community with two churches. The Metropolitan states he will abide by the decision. Again the result is an overwhelming decision to stay as one community with two churches. We now have one community now with two proistamenoi. CONTINUE TO PAY
   
5. The Metropolitan announces that Fr. Elias is assigned to Prophet Elias Church as an assistant Priest – specifically to Prophet Elias Church and not to both churches. Where and when was this ever discussed with the community for their input? How is it that we do not have enough money for Fr. Giannopoulos to be our third Priest and yet there is enough for Fr. Elias to be an assistant Priest? I want to make it definitely clear that I have nothing against Fr. Elias and his position. It is again the fact that the community has no representation. CONTINUE TO PAY
   
6. Nominations are announced for the upcoming elections for the Parish Council. Two applicants are rejected because of ineligibility. They question their ineligibility and send a protest letter with over 100 signatures to the Metropolitan protesting the elections and requesting new elections. The Metropolitan finds their request “without merit” and rejects their protest. CONTINUE TO PAY
   
7. Jim Kastanis is nominated from the floor at the General Assembly and is rejected because he is not present to accept even though he has given a written consent of acceptance if nominated. Additional candidates may apply for nomination after the General Assembly by submitting an application for nomination to the board of elections up to an announced cut off date. (Administrative Guidelines for Parish Council Elections –Revised September 2006. Regulation # VIII Nomination Process #7). Again rejection even though an application was submitted with the appropriate $2.00 required. CONTINUE TO PAY
   
8. The new board is sworn in and officers elected. A meeting was called to fill the vacant Parish Council seat. To this date, I, Jim Kastanis, who filed an application as per Administrative Guidelines, have never been notified as to the status of my application or the return of the $2.00 fee. The meeting was held and besides my application two other applicants were approached to fill the vacancy. Mr. Pete Giamalakis was asked to be a candidate by the President of the Parish Council, and Ms. Elaine Zambos was asked to apply by Fr. Kouremetis. The vote was taken and the vacancy filled without any official notification to the applicants or the count of the votes. CONTINUE TO PAY

Now to the letter to the Community from the Stewardship Committee. Is the community being told that regardless of the amount of funds raised in 2008 the Archdiocese, Clergy, and staff will receive their allotment and any and all shortages will result in a decrease of youth programs, senior citizen programs and other activities of the community?

I take this as a personal threat; I urge all parishioners to minimize their stewardship until we, as a community, have a voice in the secular affairs of our churches and community.

We have existed for over 100 years with open doors to our churches and we will continue to do so. Our forefathers built this community and these churches for the people of the community to own, prosper and worship within and not for any other entity to control or own.

- Jim Kastanis

On the Passing of Archbishop Christodoulos of Greece

January 28, 2008

Message to our Esteemed Clergy

To: spz Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
spaced Clergy Assigned to the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake
spaced Parish Council Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake

On the occasion of the passing of Archbishop Christodoulos of Greece – may his memory be eternal – I heard a very potent message from a metropolitan, a member of the Greek Synod:

“Η έκκλησία δεv είvαι εξoυσία, ειvαι διακovεία.”

The Church's purpose in not that of dominion or power; it is that of service.

And the Bible says it so well. “Ο έχωv ώτα ακoυείv ακoυέτω και o voώv voείτω.”

Best regards,

Nick J. Colessides

Further Thoughts on the Passing of Archbishop Christodoulos

It is a shame that God didn’t grant Archbishop Christodoulos the years that were granted to Mormon President Gordon Hinckley (who died the same day); who knows what he might have further accomplished?

Within the ten years that Christodoulos presided as Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece, he transformed an institution that was largely taken for granted into a vital force in modern Greek life. "Championing a more liberal image for an institution often considered a bastion of conservativism, Archbishop Christodoulos enjoyed a popularity rating of nearly 75 percent - far higher than any Greek politician." (New York Times, 29 Jan 2008, p. A25)

With his perpetual smile, his witty “anegdota” (jokes) and his genuine joy in cheerfully embracing the youth of Greece – allowing and encouraging them to come to church services despite their sleeveless dresses, mini-skirts, jeans, and piercings – he succeeded in revitalizing the church in Greece.

It is hard to imagine that this clergyman would have frowned upon young men, expressing “kefi” (a hard-to-translate Greek word variously described as meaning the spirit of unbridled joy, passion, enthusiasm and high spirits) by dancing “unauthorized” solos at the recent Greek festival.

Christodoulos would have embraced the “élan vital” – the life force so elemental to the Greek spirit – that precipitated the impulse. He would have considered it an expression of “Greekness” – an impulse that now and again breaks with discipline and structure in an expression of individual creativity and the simple joy of being alive. He certainly would have frowned upon the furor and antagonism that the incident has since generated, and undoubtedly would have considered its aftermath as a “tempest in a teapot.” He had balance and common sense.

He was the sort of clergyman who would have brought the kids into the church by any means possible: basketball, dancing, GOYA, the jokes, the smiles. At 2:00 a.m. last night there were long lines waiting to pay their respects as his body lay in state. It was amazing and heartening to see how many youths were among those waiting.

He presided over his flock with LOVE and smiles and tolerance, and all Greeks responded.

ΕΦΥΓΕ Ο ΠΑΤΕΡΑΣ, Ο ΦΙΛΟΣ, Ο ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΣ ...

ΕΚΟΙΜΗΘΗ Ο ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ

ON JANUARY 28 5:15 AM

Ο ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΑΘΗΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΣΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ

ΧΡΙΣΤΟΔΟΥΛΟΣ ΕΚΟΙΜΗΘΗ.

ΜΑΚΑΡΙΣΤΕ,

ΑΙΩΝΙΑ ΣΟΥ Η ΜΝΗΜΗ

ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕ ΠΟΛΥ ΓΙΑ Ο,ΤΙ ΕΚΑΝΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ!

From The National Herald Regarding Priests' Salaries

U.S. Clergy Among Highest Paid Worldwide

By Theodore Kalmoukos
Special to The National Herald

Some Priests Salaries Inconsistent with Compensation Plan

BOSTON – One of the most basic issues that Greek Orthodox parishes are faced with on a daily basis throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is the salaries of the priests. It is common knowledge, however, that the Greek Orthodox clergy in the U.S. are among the highest paid of all the other Orthodox jurisdictions, including the entire Orthodox Church in the world and also those in Greece.

An average salary in Greece for priests who have a Theology diploma from the Theological Schools of Athens or Thessalonica is between 900 to 1,100 euros per month, while a metropolitan’s salary does not exceed 1,500 euros monthly.

According to the official Clergy Compensation Plan for 2008 that was sent to parishes by the Office of the Chancellor and the Archdiocese Benefits Committee, a priest with service of up to 5 years is paid about $45,408-$61,488 annually. Other payment plans include: priests with service of 6-10 years are paid $61,488-$68,520; service of 11-15 years are paid $68,520-$78,528; service of 16-20 years are paid $78,528-$87,288; service of 21-25 years are paid $87,288-$93,480; service of 26-30 years are paid $93,480-$99,480; service of 31-35 years are paid $99,480-$105,240; and service of over 35 years are paid $105,240-$111,048.

The Clergy Compensation Plan also provides that: “The annual minimum increase in a clergyman’s remuneration must include an annual cost of living increase beginning January 1 of each year. When using these remuneration ranges, the Parish Council should factor in the relative cost of living for its geographic area. In the event a parish provides ‘housing’ by making available a parish owned home, then an equitable and reasonable ‘deduction adjustment’ should be made from the Salary and Housing Allowance figures above, based on the local fair market rental value of the home being provided.”

The plan also provides that “in addition to the above, the parish must provide: an automobile (which the parish purchases or leases) for use by the priest, with all related expenses paid by the parish.

Social Security/Medicare taxes (FICA/SECA equal to the maximum self-employment Social Security/Medicare tax each year, currently 15.3% of Salary and the Housing Allowance (or rental value of a parish home).

The monthly health insurance premium for the Archdiocese-sponsored and approved Orthodox Health Plan, either single or family coverage, as appropriate. All clergymen of the Archdiocese are required to participate in the Orthodox Health Plan.

A minimum annual vacation of fifteen days (2 weeks) to a maximum of five (5) weeks, taking into consideration the clergyman’s cumulative years of service to the Archdiocese.

A three (3) month sabbatical leave for each six (6) years of service with the same parish.”

It is stated in the Compensation Plan that “all parishes are obligated to pay the monthly Archdiocese Benefits Contribution, which for the year 2008 is $450. This includes parishes without a full-time priest. Those parishes with more than one clergyman are required to pay $450 for each assigned clergyman…The Archdiocese Benefits Contribution is not a part of a priest’s remuneration package.”

The above scale is not always observed by the local Metropolises and in many parishes there are huge differences of salaries and benefits. The National Herald found out that there are priests with 50 years of continuous service in the same parish whose salary doesn’t exceed $50,000 annually, while there is the case of a two-year ordained priest who was appointed into a prominent good size parish with a starting salary of $81,000 and in the seven week period he has been pastoring in the parish he requested a $10,000 bonus.

There is also a priest who was appointed fairly recently in a cathedral with a $200,000 base salary and full benefits, while there are other clergy who really live below the poverty line.

The priests are appointed to the parishes supposedly by the Chancellor of each Metropolis, but actually it is the Metropolitan who makes the selection. In many cases, the unwritten law of friendships and favoritism prevails over education, experience and talents.

It is also true that the salary of many priests is much higher and in some instances double and triple than the Metropolitan’s which is around $70,000 per year.

One of the most basic reasons that so many converts are trying to get into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese as priests is the fact that the Archdiocese is considered the golden fish of Orthodoxy, in other words, the parishes pay lofty salaries.

As far as the salaries of Greek school teachers is concerned, the difference is dramatic. First of all, according to Office of Education of the Archdiocese, there is no salary scale for teachers. The average monthly salary of an afternoon Greek schoolteacher is from $250 to $350 and for the day school teachers from $15,000-$22,000 annually. Teachers also have no health plan, neither pension plan of any kind.

Sending Mixed Messages

Only 21 days into the new year and we've already received our first "send your money now, or else" letter.

Can things be that bad? All we can do is to ask rhetorically, since any detailed information explaining our actual financial condition is unlikely to be forthcoming.

Instead, we read that salaries will remain "unchanged", Archdiocese commitment and utilities will not be "reduced" or "lowered", but youth programs, senior citizens, religious and Greek education programs will suffer. In addition, capital expenditures will also face the same fate.

All this agony because it is perceived that there are those who are "not pledging or giving only a minimal amount" to "send a message". (Interestingly, we were told at the last General Assembly, November 18, 2007, that stewardship was "slightly up". What happened?)

In examining the areas that we are told by our Stewardship Committee will "suffer" if the "message-senders" have their way, we might come to different conclusions as to what (or who) might "suffer".

We offer the following for consideration:

• The senior citizens are financially self-sufficient and require no financial commitment from the community.
  
• The Greek education program charges tuition to those who participate, making the community's commitment negligible.
  
• Our youth programs purportedly receive 10% of the festival net income. Further, youth attending the recent GOYA convention in Houston footed their own air fare, hotel and transportation bills.
  
• That same festival income funds capital expenditures.

Not much here impacting the operating expenses.

On the other hand, our commitment to the Archdiocese has been increased $20,000 for 2008 and salaries have also increased. These are the actual increases directly impacting the operating expenses and rely solely on our stewardship. We might well wonder if some of this increase is to cover the shortfall from the Dallas community's "message-senders".

WHO Worships the "Almighty Dollar"?

We now know where our kids and old people stand in the "pecking order", don’t we?

Imagine the outcome had our metropolitan, our clergy and the stewardship committee of our parish council (see previous blog article) been the decision-makers on the Titanic!

Letter to the Community from the Stewardship Committee

Moderator's Note: the following letter was sent to parishioner's homes from the Stewardship Committee. As always, we've kept the exact wording, including any typos, when formatting to html.

January 11, 2008

Dear Parishioner and Fellow Orthodox Christian:

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

As a new year begins, we have a unique opportunity to reassess the many responsibilities in our lives. One of those responsibilities is our stewardship to our Church. Stewardship takes many forms. It can be time, it can be talent, and it can be financial.

In a few days, a brochure discussing Stewardship and a pledge card for 2008 will be mailed to every member of the community. We hope that you will carefully and prayerfully consider this opportunity to give to the Community. While financial stewardship has continued to increase slightly, it certainly has not kept up with our needs and expenses.

The cost of maintaining basic services at their current level is $1,200 per family, per year, which equates to $3.30 per day. Our average pledge in 2007 was $649, which means that 58% of our annual operating budget it covered by Stewardship, the balance comes mostly from parking lots and apartment rentals. Furthermore, at the direction of the General Assembly the operating budget cannot and does not include any Greek Festival proceeds.

We realize that some can not afford to pledge $1,200 annually. Those who cannot afford this pledge should give as they are able. However, others believe that not pledging or giving only a minimal amount will send a “message” to communicate their dissatisfaction with someone or something. Nothing could be further from the truth. The salaries for clergy and staff will remain unchanged; our commitment to the Archdiocese will not decrease; our utility bills will not be lowered. What will suffer are the youth programs, the religious and Greek language education efforts, senior citizen programs, and certainly our capital expenditures, just to name a few.

We have taken the first steps necessary to bring our community into a new level of excellence so that we can achieve our primary responsibility, that being the Glory of God and the perpetuation of our Faith. Please fulfill your Christian obligation and pledge today so that we may continue on this path..

In His Service,

Stewardship Committee

One Apology Not Good Enough

At this past festival, a small number of young men performed solos without the permission of the dance instructors. These young men were required to apologize to their peers and the instructors before being allowed to continue participating in the dance program. After having fulfilled the requirements outlined, one would think these young men would have paid their debt to society for their heinous crime. Not so if you are a part of our community.

Two of these young men are now being required to apologize AGAIN if they want to participate in the upcoming Metropolis basketball tournament. Our assigned clergy, in their continued wisdom, seem to want to exact their pound of flesh for reasons only known to them. If this is an attempt to show their ultimate and absolute authority, we can stipulate to that and save these young men the trouble of having to repeat something they have already done.

Who requested the latest apology and why? Was the first apology invalid? Is it our ultimate goal to run our youth off (which is happening already) or do we want them to be involved in the community? One has to wonder what the current regime is thinking or really IF they are thinking what they are doing to our youth.

More Prevarications, More Banana Republic Governance

On Friday, January 4th, one of our moderators called the Denver Metropolis to inquire why the newly elected parish council members were going to be sworn in on January 6th. This was to occur without first having Metropolitan Isaiah's inquiry concerning protests regarding the parish council elections held on December 2, 2007.

To our surprise we were told that the Metropolis received the results and a signed copy of the protest on Friday, January 4th, via FedEx.

(In fact the protest was also sent SEPARATELY by Mr. Colessides within 72 hours of the election. This was sent (via overnight mail, with a receipt signature required) in the timeframe stipulated by the Uniform Parish Rules. A copy was also sent to Bishop Savas of Troas at the Archdiocese.)

Our moderator pointed out to the Metropolis' representative that on the 20th of December the two proistamenoi and the parish council president said that the parish council election results, along with the protest, had been sent to the Metropolitan on the 7th of December!

Once again the ongoing dissembling - in FLAGRANT disregard of the UPRs - has come to light.

What a Travesty!!!!

Somebody is playing with a marked deck.

On January 4, 2008, Yanni Armaou asked the secretary working for the Denver Metropolis “why they [the newly elected parish council] were being sworn without a response about the “protest.”

The response was that the Denver Metropolitan “just received the results today” [January 4, 2008].

Another great example of leadership from our assigned clergy and the president.

Callous disregard for the UPRs; they provide that “not earlier than 5 and not later than 8 days after the election is held, the Priest shall forward the results to the respective Hierarch.”

The obvious question: Why did both proistamenoi fail to timely “forward the election results” to Denver.

Whose ulterior motives?

Why the failure to follow the rules?

Was it willful?

To what end?

Who gains from not following the rules?

Good faith demands transparency and accountability.

What a great example of leadership at the local level!

Maybe we ought to be thankful that our assigned clergy prays for us! Apparently you can disregard the rules if you pray.

Or, maybe this is another example of following the leader. Some more “bull dung” for the parish’s consumption?

Happy New Year.

Nick J. Colessides

"Protest Found to Be Without Merit..."

So says our Metropolitan in his letter ratifying the recent elections of our community. Without the courtesy of notifying those who filed the protest, he announces his unilateral decision in one of his all too familiar "Beloved in the Lord" letters.

If he truly believed we were "Beloved in the Lord", he might have had the decency to contact either Mr. Gus Colessides or Mr. Jim Sifantonakis and inquired why they filed their protest. As we have seen with other, especially recent, "Beloved in the Lord" letters though, treating human beings from his flock with decency and respect escapes his thinking. Instead, his two assigned proistamenoi lackeys provide all the information necessary and the people be damned.

When will we finally come to the realization that "pray, pay and obey" must stop? We must always continue to pray. We can only offer to pay when our clergy leaders treat us with appropriate respect, and until that time, the payments ought to stop. Finally, how can we obey when those leading us do so only with their own best interest in mind?

"Individuals of Good Reputation..."

"The Holy Apostles asked the first Christian community to choose individuals of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom,..." (emphasis added)

This line comes directly from the Metropolitan's latest letter, posted on his Web site, regarding the ratification of Parish Council elections held on December 2, 2000in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Metropolitan mentions in that same letter that protests received regarding those elections were found "to be without merit".

Fascinating! The Metropolitan receives a protest, actually more than one, and deems these to be without merit without EVER initiating ANY inquiry into the matter? He does not bother to contact those who filed the protest to examine or analyze what the issues might be? He asked no questions of any of the principals involved?

The three gentlemen, Mr. Colessides, Mr. Sifantonakis and Mr. Kastanis, who were not allowed to run, have over a century of service to the church between them. It is odd that all these years they have been considered by their peers and previous clergy "individuals of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom." Yet they are now not eligible. They are wrongfully denied a simple, honest and open inquiry by our Metropolitan or by his proistamenoi. It should be remembered, that these "men of God" are here to serve, not to be served.

It should also be noted that in the true spirit of "pay, pray and obey" the Metropolitan closes his curious ratification letter with the following: "I thank you for being current in your financial commitment to the national ministries of our Church in America which includes your Metropolis and for fulfilling your 2007 Total Commitment assessment." In the final analysis, it always boils down to the money, or so it would seem.

Letter of Protest and Request for New Elections to Metropolitan Isaiah

Moderator's Note: This letter was sent within 72 hours of the parish council elections in December, priority overnight, with signature required, to Metropolitan Isaiah at the Metropolis of Denver's address. Another copy was given to the chairman of the election committee; a third went to Bishop Savas. No response was ever received, nor were the principals ever contacted.

1 December 2007

PROTEST AND REQUEST FOR NEW ELECTIONS

To: Metropolitan Isaiah
Metropolis of Denver

4550 East Alameda Ave.
Denver, CO 80246

From: Constantine “Gus” J. Colessides

CC: Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Bishop Savas of Troas
The Chairman of the Election Committee of
The Greek Orthodox Community of Greater Salt Lake City

RE: Unjust Barring of Nominated Parishioners for Parish Council Elections

I hereby protest my unjust barring as qualified parishioner who was prevented from running for the Parish Council of our Community. I was declared ineligible on specious grounds, and false, unsubstantiated claims.

Further, the chairman of the election committee was the first to notify me. I believe that the use of the election committee for this purpose is completely inappropriate. The election committee is assigned to set up and oversee the election process, not rule or inform nominees as to their eligibility status. The proistamenoi need to take this task upon themselves and not delegate it inappropriately.

I am in fact an eligible and qualified candidate. I have been arbitrarily and unjustly barred – based upon accusations that are unfounded and untrue. I have been forced to adhere to a standard that has never been heretofore required from other nominees. As such, I request that this election be declared null and void and that new elections be held with my name, and that of other qualified candidates also unjustly barred, on the ballot.

Respectfully,

{signature}

Constantine “Gus” J. Colessides

Ratification Letter Posted!

Moderator's Note: the following letter was found on the Metropolis' Web site ratifying the recent Parish Council elections. As always, we've kept the exact wording (including the obvious typo for the letter's date) when formatting to html.

Greek Orthodox Metropolis - Denver


February 4, 2008

Reverend Michael Kouremetis, Proistamenos
Reverend Matthew Gilbert, Proistamenos
and the Esteemed Parish Council Members
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and
Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church

5335 Highland Drive
Holladay, UT 84117

Beloved in the Lord,

Having received the official report of the Parish Council election held on December 2, 2007, and finding the protest received to be without merit, we hereby ratify the results of the elections in accordance with the Special Regulations and the Uniform Parish Regulations of our Holy Archdiocese.

The following newly-elected members:

Phillip Floor whitChris Mantas whiJim Mylonakis
Steve Oneida whitJoe Sasich white Ron Steele

together with the remaining Council Members, are hereby approved as members of the Parish Council for2008. You may administer the Affirmation of Office to them, and to the continuing members, following the Divine Liturgy on the first Sunday after receiving this ratification.

The new Parish Council will keep the Book of Minutes, the treasury, and all real and personal property of the Parish, which shall be transmitted to it with a letter of transmittal, signed by both the retiring and the newly-elected officers of the Parish Council.

Prior to this act, the new Council – including those newly elected as well as the continuing members– must receive the Affirmation of Office from the Parish Priest at the end of the Divine Liturgy on the first Sunday after receiving this confirmation. Following the Divine Liturgy, the Parish Priest will conduct the first meeting of the new Parish Council, at which the new officers will be elected for the year 2008.

The Holy Apostles asked the first Christian community in Jerusalem to choose individuals of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom the Apostles could appoint to administer the extended ministry of that community (cf. Acts 6:3). In like manner, the Parish Council members are coworkers with the Priest, who is the head of the parish, in the sacred task of administering the temporal affairs of Christ's Holy Church at your parish in Salt Lake City and Holladay.

I thank you for being current in your financial commitment to the national ministries of our Church in America which includes your Metropolis and for fulfilling your 2007 Total Commitment assessment.

With Paternal Blessings,

Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
___________________________________________________________________
4550 East Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO 80246-1208 • Telephone (303) 333-7794 •
FAX (303) 333-7796 web: www.denver.goarch.org • e-mail: metropolis@denver.goarch.org