Time To Act

In 2007, we were directed by the Metropolitan to conduct a survey regarding the splitting of our community.  An overwhelming 87% responded to remain united.  In his letter of December 6, 2007, the Metropolitan writes:  "After much discussion with Mr. Bapis, I told him that I would not force the community to become two parishes.  I like to believe that I am faithful to what I say.  In my forty-five years in the clergy, I have never forced anyone to do my will."  He later continues, "I challenge anyone to say that I forced someone to do or not do a particular thing.  In keeping my word to Mr. Bapis and to myself, I will not force the recognition of two parishes."

Since this letter, we have received many more and experienced many disappointments at the hands of the Metropolitan and the proistameno of Prophet Elias only.  It seems the Metropolitan forgets what he writes and listens to the fabrications of the proistameno of Prophet Elias only which suits their desires.  The March 24, 2011 letter from the Holy Eparchial Synod has been ignored.  The TWO new ILLEGAL corporations that were to be dissolved remain active and were renewed after the Synod's letter.

Not only have the appointed parish council, the proistameno of Prophet Elias only and the Metropolitan disregarded the directive of the Synod, they have also ignored every request for a return to normalcy that existed before the arrival of the proistameno of Prophet Elias only.  The only letter that received a response was the letter from the law offices of Anderson & Karrenberg regarding the proposed  ILLEGAL special general assembly this past June.  Letter

Obviously this is the only language they understand.  Please attend the October 2 meeting, at the University Park Hotel at 3:00 p.m.  We have waited and been IGNORED long enough.  It is time to now take action.

Follow-Up Letter to Archbishop Demetrios

Moderator's Note: Mr. Colessides sent us this letter that he faxed and e-mailed yesterday. The original of this letter, along with the May 20, 2011 letter sent to the Archdiocese, may be viewed by clicking here. (The earlier letter is appended to the latest one.)

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NICK J. COLESSIDES
ATTORNEY AT LAW
466 SOUTH 400 EAST, SUITE 100
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84111-3325
USA
___

TELEPHONE: 801-521-4441
FAX: 801-521-4452
E-MAIL: nick@nickjcolessides.com

September 15, 2011

Via fax: 1.646.519.6514
Hard copy via US mail

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
Office of the Archbishop
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
8-1 0 East 79"' Street
New York, NY 10021

Dear Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios,

We hope that the new Ecclesiastical Year brings you health and the Lord's Blessings as you shepherd and guide our Greek Orthodox Church through the reefs of life.

We are approaching 7 months since the issuance of the Synodal Letter dated March 24, 2011, addressed to Metropolitan Isaiah. On May 20, 2011, the enclosed letter was mailed to your office. There has been no movement in the intransigent attitude exhibited by the Denver Metropolitan and his assigned clergy.

The Denver Metropolitan has chosen to totally disregard the Synodal direction concerning our parish: The Prophet Elias corporation has not been withdrawn; as a matter of fact its corporate existence was renewed (in March 2011) by papers signed by the present appointed parish president with the Utah Division of Corporations. We have been refused the list of names and addresses of all current and last year's stewards. We have not had a general meeting of the membership of our parish. We have not had an accounting of how the collected stewardship and other parish funds are authorized to be spent, and/or how the funds are actually being expended. We have not had elections in approximately 2 years. Rumors abound about Fr. Michael Kouremetis' secret accounts. The most recent IRS regulations require that non profit corporations/organizations file annual reports for the last three years, or face the penalty of
losing their tax exempt status. Upon information and belief it is respectfully submitted that the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake is in danger of losing its tax exempt status, due to its failure to file.

No one cares; and no one is doing anything about it. For reasons unknown Metropolitan Isaiah intentionally disregards the Holy Eparchial Synod in implementing Its directives.

Metropolitan Isaiah and his assigned clergy have hijacked our community; there is total lack of accounting; and, there is no transparency whatsoever.  There does not exist a modicum of good will by the Clergy in terms of compliance with the Synodal Letter in our parish.  ALL METROPOLITAN ISAIAH AND HIS ASSIGNED CLERGY CARE ABOUT IS MONEY. Greek Orthodoxy in Salt Lake City Utah is in jeopardy; its survival is not aided by the Greek Orthodox Church Clergy. The Holy Eparchial Synod and/or His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew must take immediate steps to correct this abysmal situation.

Unless immediate remedial action is taken by the ecclesiastical  authorities as per the Synodal Letter, the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake will seek its legal remedies in the civil courts of our state.

Sincerely,

/s/

NICK J. COLESSIDES

enclosure:  Letter dated May 20, 2011 (3 pages)

cc: His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch via fax:
His Grace Bishop Isaiah, Metropolitan of Denver, via email
The Very Rev. Sebastian  Skordallos, Archimandrite
Chief Secretary of The Holy Eparchial Synod, via email
Fr. Matthew Gilbert, via email
Fr. Michael Kouremetis, via email
Mrs. Cathy B. Walsh, Esq., via email

"Don't expect the people who caused the problem to solve it." Einstein

It has been ten plus days since the posting of the proistameno of Prophet Elias only having access to a secret checking account.  Some time ago, the then treasurer and now secretary of the appointed "parish council," expressed an opinion about the internet in general and specifically our blog.  He had stated, "You can't believe everything that shows up on the internet.  The TOCB site is a perfect example of that."

Can the past treasurer and current secretary of the appointed "parish council" refute the existence of this checking account?  Was the announcement of this account a surprise to him or has he known about it and said nothing in an attempt to cover, yet again, for the proistameno of Prophet Elias only?  If this account is non existent, we stand to be corrected.

Maybe the proistameno of Prophet Elias only could use his new found weekly message to explain his secret checking account.  That might be asking too much from someone who believes he answers to no one and is allergic to the truth.  After his Thursday expression of displeasure in having to attend the sponsor luncheon, he is best reminded that he is paid by one community with two churches.  We don't want to hear "I hate going down there" from you ever again.  If that is how you feel, the time has come to pack your bags and leave.  Salt Lake City is not the best city for your retirement.

Wake up Salt Lake City!!

Yannis Armaou