Mitch Manousakis Speaks from the Heart
Xristos Anesti to all. May the light of our Lord God & Savior Jesus Christ intercede and bring peace, love, and the true faith taught us by our beloved Orthodox faith back to us.
My family emigrated to this country in 1947 which was the era of the civil uprising in Greece. One reason we emigrated was to get away from the dictators and the "Prodotes" that were trying to take over our country and our lives. My father, while very poor, brought one thing to Price, Utah with him. It was a beautiful Icon of our Lord with the Panagia which he was able to hide from the Germans. He, upon arrival, gave this icon to the church in Price and is still displayed in the altar. I believe that most of our ancestors had this kind of love for our faith, the Orthodox Church. Indeed, they would not be very happy or proud of what is going on here today.
Suddenly I feel the same frustration and fear here in our community as I did during the 1940's in Greece.
Reading the Metropolitan's letter, I just cannot believe that such hateful, vengeance, and threatening words can come from the people that are supposedly teaching us forgiveness, love of our fellow man, repentance etc. To attack the character of the people the Metropolitan is threatening with excommunication is just beyond my ability to even remotely understand. These people for the most part are and have always been pillars of our parish. They have given so much in both service and financial support that makes it unthinkable to slander them in such a fashion. How dare anyone accuse them of taking anything from our church and of all things, calling them robbers of the parish. These accusers should hang their head in shame.
I have held the fast during this past preparation for the resurrection of our lord. When it came time to take Holy Communion, I could not bring myself to approach and receive the healing of the body and blood of our Lord because I was so troubled with the people administering it and the terrible things they are perpetuating in our community. I know that I am wrong in doing this but being the weak sinner that I am, I felt I was approaching fire instead of salvation. I pray for forgiveness because I blame my spiritual leaders partially for this feeling.
In closing, I believe that if people like the Skedros Family, the Bapis Family and the HCF Board of Directors who are being considered for excommunication, then even though I may be of a much lesser value to this parish and may have done far less, I would like and consider it an honor to be added to this list for excommunication. At any rate the environment that has been created in our parish here has no resemblance to the church that my parents brought me up in and that I have belonged to for over seventy years.
- Mitch Manousakis
1 comment:
My Dear Brother in Christ Mitch:
DO NOT in any way think there is anything wrong with the Church. Remember, we have the Chruch, the Scriptures, and the Church Fathers that are still very much alive and are present at each and every service. As for those administering the gifts, they too like us are human and made of clay: Sinners. The thing to remember is to have your conscience right through confession and be right with your fellow man. Despite what I have written, I still must LOVE these minsters and adminsters of our Faith so we need to think of them as a liek a piece of conduit used in electrical work. Conduit does not provide the actual power but insulates it and and brings it to the recipient. The gifts are changed by God into Christ through the minstry of the priests and are the conduit which brings the power from the source to you. Go and commune with God! I hope this helps you.
Sincerely,
Joe Kalodimos
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