Accidentally, on Purpose

From his bully pulpit Father Kouremetis once again holds forth. He castigates those who are irritated by the recent listing of youth basketball teams from this community as “throwing Prophet Elias ‘under the bus’ “ for what is claimed to be an honest error.

The “accidental” listing of our community’s teams as being SOLELY “Prophet Elias, HOLLADAY, Utah”, rather than as Holy Trinity / Prophet Elias, or Prophet Elias / Holy Trinity (depending on whether or not one lists alphabetically), at the recent Metropolis GOYA Basketball tournament is but one in a series of “accidents”. (Note: It is interesting that in recent memory this recurring “mistake”, “oversight,” “honest omission” has NEVER occurred where Holy Trinity, Salt Lake City, Utah is listed and Prophet Elias is not.)

• First, this “accident” did not occur at last year’s tournament where the community’s teams were listed and/or announced as Holy Trinity / Prophet Elias. Was it so difficult to copy over that name to this year’s application and acknowledge youth who attend at one church, the other or both?

• Second, the recent honor accorded to Dr. Charles Beck , who has been invested as an archon, lists his home parish as Prophet Elias, Holladay, Utah.

• Third, when Nick Varanakis and Fr. Kouremetis attended the Metropolis Clergy Laity Congress in Dallas, May 2009, they were listed on the agenda as representatives from Prophet Elias, Holladay, Utah.

The Proistomenos-of-PE-only doth protest too much! He is fully aware of what he and/or his minions are doing, as are we – he and they fool no one. He has instructed administrators of these programs HOW to register. At best, he has failed to instruct them in how NOT to do so.

This is DELIBERATE. Just as it was DELIBERATE to deride Holy Trinity to the Holy Eparchial Synod as being near a “needle park”. Just as it has been DELIBERATE to defer and delay needed repairs at Holy Trinity. Just as it has been DELIBERATE to suspend fundraising efforts through the HCF in order to fulfill the Skedros’ family dream of building the Anthony G. Skedros Memorial Gymnasium, along with needed upgrades to Sunday School facilities, at Holy Trinity. Just as it has been DELIBERATE to build pavilions and gardens, or upgrade office facilities, at Prophet Elias that were NOT approved by any General Assembly. There is NO “accident” here. This is ALL deliberate so that the Proistamenos-of-Prophet-Elias-only and his lackeys can claim that Holy Trinity is little-used, outdated, dilapidated and moribund.

These statements and actions are continually taken to escalate frayed tempers and to further the dissension he has sown since his arrival. If we protest, the claim goes forth that the atmosphere has become aggravated and that Prophet Elias is being "dissed". If we don’t, Fr. Kouremetis has pulled off a fait accompli – the done deal. Heads he wins; tails our community LOSES!

Oversight? Omission? Accident? Please.

A follow-up postscript: TOCB has been informed that our youth, when registering for this year's tournament, were asked by the registrars in Oklahoma City to indicate whether they were with HT or PE.  WHO told the OKC registrars to ask THIS question? We're fairly confident they would NOT have asked this on their own.  Yet another "accident"? Or just another divisive ploy using our youth as pawns! Appalling is the ONLY word that comes to mind.

Metropolis Basketball: Only "Holladay" Is Represented! Holladay?

Why the deception? Who is responsible for submitting the information? Do we have only one church in SLC ?   What about all the kids who attend church at Holy Trinity?  Is the proistameno from Prophet Elias only, trying to paint a picture that does not exist?  Did the proistameno of Prophet Elias only, purposely submit inaccurate information ? - An expert on the fifth amendment! Participating Teams
	Junior Girls
Annunciation W—Houston	Holy Trinity‐Dallas
Annunciation B—Houston	St. George‐Albuquerque
Annunciation‐Kansas City	St. John the Baptist –Euless / St. Demetrios‐Fort
Assumption Gray‐Denver	Worth
Assumption Silver‐Denver
	Junior Boys
Annunciation W—Houston	Prophet Elias—Salt Lake City
Annunciation B—Houston	St. Basil—Houston
Assumption W—Denver	St. Catherine—Greenwood Village
Assumption B—Denver	St. George—Albuquerque
Holy Trinity W—Dallas	St. George—Oklahoma City / Holy Trinity—Tulsa
Holy Trinity B—Dallas	Annunciation—Kansas City
	Senior Girls
Annunciation W—Houston	Holy Trinity B—Dallas
Annunciation B—Houston	St. Basil—Houston
Annunciation Blue—Kansas City	Prophet Elias—Salt Lake City / St. George‐
Annunciation White—Kansas City	Albuquerque
Annunciation—Little Rock	St. Catherine—Greenwood Village
Assumption W—Denver	St. Sophia—San Antonio / Holy Trinity—Tulsa
Assumption B—Denver	Transfiguration—Austin
Holy Trinity W—Dallas	St. Sophia—San Antonio
	Senior Boys
Annunciation W—Houston	Prophet Elias—Salt Lake City
Annunciation B—Houston	St. Basil—Houston
Annunciation —Kansas City	St. Catherine—Greenwood Village
Annunciation—Little Rock	St. George‐Albuquerque
Assumption Blue—Denver	St. George—Oklahoma City / Holy Trinity—Tulsa
Assumption White—Denver	St. John the Baptist—Euless
Holy Trinity W—Dallas	Transfiguration—Austin

Yannis Armaou

A Tale of Two Meetings

On October 24, 2010 nearly 350 parishioners gathered at the Sheraton Hotel to have their voices heard regarding the proposed forced split of our community.  The organizers of this gathering mailed some 1200 letters inviting anyone interested to attend.  Those in attendance discussed issues related to the WHOLE community.  Everyone was encouraged to voice their opinion and many opinions were heard.  The proistameno of Prophet Elias was quick to denounce the gathering as "non church sanctioned."

On January 9, 2011 at the Cottonwood Country Club, another gathering was held.  It has been referred to as a "private party" consisting of "like minded" concerned members of Prophet Elias who wish to see Prophet Elias succeed.  Allegedly, no church business was discussed, no votes were taken and no clergy attended.  An effort was made though to gather supporters to assist with the financial solvency of Prophet Elias only. 

Unlike the first gathering, there has been deafening silence from proistameno of Prophet Elias only.  We would be happy to contact the newspapers for him (just in case he didn't know about the "private party") and give him the opportunity to show his love and concern for ALL members of our community. 

The alleged purpose of the "private party" was to find ways to raise funds for Prophet Elias ONLY.  The exclusivity and secrecy of this event is in stark contrast to the first gathering.  It is ironic though that in addition to being allergic to the truth, exclusivity and secrecy have been trademarks of the proistameno of Prophet Elias only since his arrival.  

The Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod in his letter of October 28, 2010 writes:  "All involved in this matter are advised to refrain from any further action whatsoever related to issues raised, pending review and resolution of the matter by the Holy Eparchial Synod."  Both priests of our community received this letter.  The "private party"  is yet another instance where the directive of the Holy Eparchial Synod has been ignored.  If we recall, color coded stewardship materials were mailed to the community after the above directive.  It seems that the proistameno of Prophet Elias only adheres to the directives when they suit his needs.  He and his hand picked board have told us many times they are following the directives of the Metropolitan.  Apparently, when the Holy Eparchial Synod issues a directive the proistameno of Prophet Elias only and his board can ignore it. Sad indeed.

Πατερ Μιχαηλ:  Καθε θαυμα τρεις μερες,το μεγαλο τεσσερεις.
                          Η αληθεια ειναι μια και τα ψεματα πολλα.