“Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them,

and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

But it shall not be so among you:

but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,

but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28, KJV)


The word the Athenians used for their Assembly was Ekklesia, the same word used in the New Testament for Church
(and it is the greatest philological irony in all of Western history that this word,
which connoted equal participation in all deliberation by all members,
came to designate a kind of self-perpetuating, self-protective Spartan gerousia -
which would have seemed patent nonsense to Greek-speaking Christians of New Testament times,
who believed themselves to be equal members of their Assembly.)

- Thomas Cahill, Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter




ΦΙΛΟΤΙΜΟ: THE GREEK SECRET


Thursday, June 30, 2011

It Takes a "Given the Threat"???

Please click here to read the original message sent by the SELECTED Parish Council. - The Moderators

Dear Fellow Parishioners,                                                                                                    June 30, 2011

The Special Parish Assembly that had been scheduled for June 22, 2011, was cancelled as a result of a letter received from an attorney representing certain individuals who challenged the scheduled Assembly as not lawfully noticed or constituted. In order to address some of the technical concerns raised, and to preclude the possibility of unnecessary legal costs to the Parish, it was decided to reschedule and renotice the Assembly at a later date.

Given the continued threat (emphasis added) of legal action, it is imperative that the existing rules and regulations pertaining to the determination of membership in good standing for the anticipated Assembly be followed. The relevant portions of the UPR and our own By-Laws are listed below. (without the "threat" such action would not have been necessary? - INTERESTING!)
________________________

Uniform Parish Regulations (2007):
• Article 17, Section 1: “At a minimum, a parishioner in good standing must: be eighteen years of age or over; be current in his or her stewardship and other financial obligations to the Parish, abide by all the regulations herein stated and the Parish Bylaws; and cooperate in every way towards the welfare and well being of the Parish.”

• Article 17, Section 5: “A parishioner in good standing has the right to attend, participate and vote at Parish Assemblies, as well as to vote in Parish Council elections.”

• Article 31, Section 3: “A Parish Assembly consists of parishioners in good standing of the Parish who have met their stewardship obligations to the Parish in accordance with the Parish Bylaws. A person whose name appears on the Stewardship rolls but who is in arrears in the payment of his/her stewardship obligations may take part in the Parish Assembly by meeting such stewardship obligations on or before the date of the meeting.”

Parish By-Laws (1974):

• Article IV(a): “Any person, eighteen years of age or over, who was baptized according to the rites of the Church, or was received into the church through Chrismation, who lives according to the faith and canons of the Church, abides by the regulations herein and the by-laws of the Parish, except that persons under twenty-one, shall not serve on the Parish Council when such service is contrary to local law. A member in good standing is defined as one who has made and fulfilled his pledge in accordance with sub-section b) of this By-Law.”

• Article IV(b): “Membership obligation shall be made through a fair share pledge system, whereby the pledger in faith, prayer and sacrifice wishes to share in the support and work in our Lord’s Church and Parish by contributing according to his conscience and financial ability to cover the needs of the Church. This pledge shall be made on or before March 31 of each year for persons residing within the Parish payable in accordance with the terms of the completed pledge form, as provided by the Parish Council. A member is considered to be in good standing if his membership pledge is fulfilled on a quarterly basis. New members moving into the Parish shall have three months from the time of arrival to make their pledge.”
________________________

By following the above rules and regulations it ("it" is a vague pronoun reference - What/who is "it"?) should preclude potential legal challenges. However, the Parish Council feels that it is very important to have as many parishioners as possible participate in the upcoming Assembly (right! which is why the SELECTED Parish Council were so DILIGENT in making sure they had a LEGAL stewardship form sent out - NOT, and why THAT FORM was properly sent out to ALL parishioners - again, NOT!!) , therefore, the March 31 deadline for submitting the stewardship pledge card, (WHICH PLEDGE CARD? - we NEVER GOT A PROPER ONE!) as required by our By-Laws is waived, and the pledge deadline is extended until July 31. (How generous! WHEN WILL THE LEGAL ONE BE SENT to ALL PARISHIONERS?!)

In sum, IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING FOR PURPOSES OF THE ANTICIPATED ASSEMBLY, ONE MUST HAVE FILLED OUT A STEWARDSHIP CARD (which one? the one this SELECTED Parish Council sent out is ILLEGAL - it does not bear the PROPER, LEGAL NAME OF THIS COMMUNITY!!!) BY JULY 31 AND PAY A PROPORTIONAL AMOUNT OF THAT PLEDGE ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THE ASSEMBLY. All pledge cards (the illegal ones?) that parishioners previously submitted will remain valid for purposes of determining membership in good standing.

The exact date of the rescheduled Special Assembly will be determined in consultation with Metropolitan Isaiah, and in consideration of the availability of the Metropolis Chancellor and our own Parish events. In no event, however, will the Assembly be schedule prior to the July 31 pledge deadline.

(Wow, how considerate! Thanks a lot - this should have been done some time ago and by a DULY CONSTITUTED PARISH COUNCIL!!!! In the meantime, guys and gals, send out a PROPER STEWARDSHIP FORM, FIRST-CLASS MAIL, TO ALL PARISHIONERS OF THIS COMMUNITY, that reads properly, with the LEGAL NAME OF THE COMMUNITY: THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF GREATER SALT LAKE - just in case you and our erstwhile clergy and hierarch have forgotten it!!!)

In His Service,

The Parish Council (The SELECTED one!)

Monday, June 27, 2011

Andrea Kastanis Orton Responds to James Derby

Mr. Derby:

And yes, I will refer to you as "Mr." because I was raised to always be respectful. I find it utterly disgraceful that a parish council member could write such a one-sided, derogatory letter to such a hard-working, long-time servant of our community. Have you even been around long enough to know exactly what Nick Colessides has done for our community?

At least you have one thing right...yes!! Our church is in a crisis and there is no money for expenses to keep the church operating. Did you, the priests, or anyone else on the parish council ever stop to ask why? I've been waiting a long time and no one's ever approached me. No, because you all choose to ignore the truth! And unfortunately the only way we can seem to get your attention is by initiating legal action. When will you learn that we care immensely about the welfare of our community and we won't roll over and back down? I was taught to stand up for what I believe is right, and this, my friend, is one of those times.

The parish council, clergy, and metropolis are not here to serve our parish. They're here to conquer and divide. This is obvious given their actions over the past year. Your letter mentions that all "elected" parish council members from HT boycotted the swearing in, when what was the best time to be represented and heard in the form of a full parish council. Did you personally ever contact any of these individuals to ask why they did not attend? First of all, these HT members were not elected, they were appointed by Father Matthew as dictated by the Metropolitan. You mention to this day you'd like anyone to explain this bizarre behavior. What you have failed to mention was that of the five appointees from PE selected by Father Michael, only two accepted - you and Jim Priskos. You two were then added to the existing council, and Ron Steele was appointed, again by Father Michael, afterward. As a current member of the parish council, I'm appalled you even have to ask this question! The individuals who declined knew this wasn't in accordance with the precious UPRs that are continuously thrown at us. Have you forgotten the "cease and desist" order that was issued to ALL parties by the Holy Eparchial Synod until a formal decision was reached?

An audit committee submitted their 2009 findings over one year ago at our last General Assembly. Has the parish council done anything to enact recommendation made by this audit committee? It is any wonder why we believe the priests and parish council are "wolves in sheep's clothing"? You are here to deceive and manipulate. You only care about the money! And YES there IS money! Money was the whole purpose behind the recently cancelled Special General Assembly. Why else would the parish council write a demand letter to Nick Bapis regarding the signatories on the funds managed by The Bapis Group on behalf of High Tower Advisors? Why else would there need to be a vote for formal acceptance of the UPRs of the Archdiocese?

WE ARE STRONG AND WE ARE UNITED!! This is evidenced by the 613 signatures on the Call To Action Petition. We will not back down! Please tell your attorney that!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Who Are You?

Moderators' Note: Mr. Derby sent the following e-mail to Mr. Nick Colessides with a request that it be posted on the blog. Mr. Colessides forwarded the note to us, asking that we oblige Mr. Derby.
===========================================================

Nick,

Excuse the familiar introduction, but using Mr. seemed inappropriate. Having read you correspondence over the last few days and your reference to the metropolis, clergy and PC as idiots, cowards and incompetent I feel inclined to express my feelings. One more derogatory reference to me ,my fellow parish council members or the clergy shall result in a law suit of my own. I kid you not because there is nothing worse than f….king with someone that has nothing to lose. Rest assured I have nothing to lose…….you arrogant son of a bitch………All you have achieved is to weaken the great church you propertied to support. Please put THIS on your blog…..or by the way, hmmmmm what is the parish council doing to keep the church operating during this crisis, what and who is paying for all the expenses to keep the church and all associated operations running without adequate stewardship, because they don’t trust the PC the Priests?

Please be advised that as Treasurer the programs, activities, social events and church services that normal occur during a prosperous time let alone a recession shall be terminated or severely cut in order to maintain a balanced budget let alone pay for your legal fund.

Who are you to make these accusations and slander, then accuse me of slandering you and listing me in a lawsuit against the church???? At the very least you could get my mailing address correct…see below………..

The parish council, clergy and the metropolis are here to serve the parish, in this case parishes. How dare you threaten to sue anyone who spends any money without proper approval or a properly elected PC, less one properly appointed by the metropolis. Shall we all just forget that all elected PC members from HT boycotted the swearing in, when that was the best time to be represented and heard in the form of a full PC Council. To this day I would like ANYONE to explain this bizarre behavior. Nick, how do you explain the spending of funds to try and cover over $150,000 in payables every month by me, as treasurer, with only $30 to $50 thousand dollars in revenue. Please sue me so I can stop trying to make this parish work financially. Please replace me with someone that can make all the vendors, that in some case have not been paid for months, get paid and that all utilities, insurances, activities that you seem to cherish can continue without stewardship!!!!! Several vendors are on a COD basis now and have threatened to cease providing services altogether. Please continue to live in your secular world and watch as the CHURCH spiral into debt, disorder and chaos.

Thank you very much…

Imagine, Liturgy once at week at only one church, no liturgy for feast or any other special days. No memorials, No funerals, No baptisms. God forbid no basketball or youth activities, no support of any church organizations, church offices at only one church open from 10 to 4, Tuesday thru Thursday. No after hours activities because there is no money to pay the utilities, no ongoing maintenance of church facilities, garbage, snow removal, lawns, etc. Nick, please tell me how long the church will survive?

Do you all really believe the Priests and PC are “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing?” Here only to deceive and manipulate?? Concerned only about money, when there is none???????? Who are you?

Your attorneys, excuse me, the attorneys, seem as confused as I. Please lets cancel the assembly because the postage was not “first class” so Doug and you can be back in town for a more appropriate time!

Who are you?

Please sue me because I despise everything unchristian you stand for.

I respectfully await all your bullshit responses and please know that not only do I have nothing to lose I don’t care a damn about you and your responses, except Bill R. could you please make another reference to Marshall Dillion……………..that was precious!

Best Regards,

/s/


1006 E Indian Springs Rd.
Bountiful, Utah 84010

P (801) 298-1358
C (801) 680-1385
F (801) 298-1395
jdarchitectpc@msn.com

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

A Time for Reconciliation, Reflection, and Positive Action

Dear Parishioners,

I just spoke to our attorneys who informed me that the special general assembly which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday June 22, 2011, has been canceled/postponed without date.

You will all recall that late last week, our litigation firm of Anderson & Karrenberg has emailed a letter to the addressees referenced therein.  The insurance defense firm of Richards Brandt responded to the demand letter of the Anderson & Karrenberg firm.

By agreement, both of the law firms have agreed to the cancellation.  The two law firms are meeting later on today to work out the details.

Our representatives [lawyers] will keep us abreast and we in turn will notify you of the progress of the negotiations.

We want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who got personally involved, and advised and consented [to] all of us, with your talent, treasure, and time.   Your encouragement to forge ahead has been absolutely phenomenal and unprecedented.

We are confident that this is the time for reconciliation, reflection, and positive action for the betterment of our entire Parish.

The ad hoc New York Committee:

Nick J. Colessides
Douglas Anderson
Nick Bapis
Kostas Katsohirakis
Vasilios Priskos
Constantine Skedros

P.S.  Please feel free to distribute this email to as many people as possible.

Nick J. Colessides
Attorney at law
466 South 400 East, Suite 100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111-3325

Voice:  801/521-4441
Fax:      801/521-4452

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Latest News.

The community has hired the firm of ANDERSON & KARRENBERG.
Please click  HERE for details.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

NOT About the FAITH; IT'S ABOUT THE $MONEY$!

Moderators' Note: We have been asked by Mr. Nick Bapis to put this communication he received yesterday afternoon on the blog. We are also adding the text, verbatim, from the letter Mr. Floor attached to this message. The original of that document may be viewed HERE.
================================================================================

From: Phillip S. Floor [mailto:phill@mapconmapping.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 4:28 PM
To: Bapis, Nick
Subject: GOCGSL Accounts
Nick,
Please find attached a letter and resolution directing a change to the signers on the Campaign account at HighTower.
These documents were drafted some time ago but I have held back from sending them to you as I am aware of your concerns regarding Parish Council elections. Since it was announced today that elections will be held, it is my hope that you will honor the directives of our Hierarchs and execute this change.
Thanks for your help,
Phill
--
Phillip S. Floor, C.P.
Mapcon Mapping Inc.
President
Tel: (801) 277-9853
Cell: (801) 450-5146
www.mapconmapping.com

================================================================================

Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake

May 11, 2011

Nick M. Bapis
Partner and Managing Director, The Bapis Group
HighTower Advisors, LLC
2725 Parleys Way
Salt Lake City, UT, 84109

Dear Nick,

Enclosed herewith is a corporate resolution from the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake requiring the signatories on all of the accounts held by the Church or any of its committees, groups or organizations and managed by The Bapis Group on behalf of HighTower Advisors, LLC to be immediately changed to include only the following officers of the Parish Council:

Jim Mylonakis, President
Jim Priskos, Vice President
Jim Derby, Treasurer
Joseph Sasich, Asst. Treasurer
Phillip Floor, Secretary

As set forth in the resolution, the signature of at least three of the above referenced officers shall be required to take any action on any of these, and any signatories other than the above identified officers are to be immediately removed from the accounts.

Please send any required change forms immediately to the attention of Jim Derby, and please call if you have any questions.

Regards,

/Signatures/

Fr. Matthew Gilbert Fr. Michael Kouremetis
Proistamenos, Holy Trinity Cathedral Proistamenos, Prophet Elias Church

Jim Mylonakis Phillip S. Floor
President Secretary

*************************************************************************

CORPORATE RESOLUTION OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF
GREATER SALT LAKE

WHEREAS, a duly noticed meeting of the Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake was held on May 9, 2011;

WHEREAS a quorum of the Parish Council members were present at the meeting;

WHEREAS a majority of the Parish Council members present at the meeting determined it to be in the best interest of the Corporation for all HighTower Advisors accounts currently held in the name of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake or any committee, organization or group thereof (hereinafter, the "HighTower Accounts") to be under the sole control of the Parish Council, that the signers on such accounts to be the duly elected officers of the Parish Council and for no other signers to be on those accounts, and that the signature of at least three of the above identified officers shall be required to take any action on any of the HighTower Accounts;

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the currently elected Parish Council officers (Jim Mylonakis. President, Jim Priskos, Vice President. Jim Derby, Treasurer, Joseph Sasich, Asst. Trcasurer and Michael Petrogeorge, Secretary) shall be the sole signatories on all HighTower Accounts, that any other signatories shall be immediately removed from all HighTower Accounts, and that the signature of at least three of the above identified officers shall be required to take any action on any of the HighTower Accounts.

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and qualified Secretary and the custodian of the books and records and seal of the Greek Orthodox Church or Greater Salt Lake, a corporation duly formed pursuant to the laws of the State of Utah and that the foregoing is a true record of a resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake, and that said meeting was held in accordance with state law and the Bylaws of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake as set forth above, and that this resolution is now in full force and effect without modification or rescission.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed my name as Secretary and have hereunto affixed the corporate seal of the above-named Corporation this 11 day of May, 2011.

Secretary:

/s/

Phillip S. Floor

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wolves in Shepherds' Clothing

Well, well, well ...
Our SELECTED Parish Council sent out an e-mail today with the following notice:
The Parish Council would like to announce that His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah will allow a departure from our current By-Laws, with a relaxation of the criteria for voting eligibility at the upcoming Special Parish Assembly.
Really? How generous! We should be grateful? Truth is, the Metropolitan is not "allowing" anything remotely resembling a "departure". Under the current UPRs, which were rammed down the throats of the  Greek Orthodox parishes of this country by self-serving hierarchs and clerics, along with unthinking, short-sighted, handpicked lay "leaders", we already have this right - one of the few we still do have!
We will therefore follow the precedence set for past assemblies in that those who have pledged or paid stewardship for this calendar year will be eligible to vote.  Stewards must be current on their pledge on or before the day of the meeting and must have fulfilled their obligation from the prior year.
Hmm. Again, we already have this "right". However, the Parish Council CONVENIENTLY forgets that last year, from October onward, they provided the community with illegal blue/yellow stewardship forms that many, rightly, refused to sign. Then, they set the arbitrary deadline of March 31st, 2011, and ONLY afterward provided alternative stewardship forms, which did NOT reflect the current legal name of this community. Further, unlike those in their absurd blue/yellow game, these single forms were NOT mailed to the membership. It is not the fault of members that, once again, this incompetent parish council - nearly all of whom were in office during the period of dismal governance as reported by the recent Audit Committee - cannot even manage to follow the very rules and regulations that they, and our tyrannical clerics, insist we abide by. It is absurd to demand that we ought to have pledged to a form by a certain deadline, when that proper form was never provided BY THAT DEADLINE! But then, absurdity is this hierarchy's, these priests', and this parish council's hallmark.
We have not held real elections in YEARS. We have not had the requisite TWO general assemblies per year. Has anyone seen a budget lately? These aren't violations of the oft-cited, much-vaunted UPRs?
This 11th-hour about-face needs to be properly communicated (not everyone has e-mail or is on the e-mail list) - in writing and in TIMELY fashion - to the parishioners, the same way as was the incorrect interpretation beforehand. This would allow parishioners who believed they would not be allowed to participate time to change any alternative plans, get their stewardship forms in and come prepared to discuss the issues outlined. (Oops, WRONG! The way the Metropolitan worded his agenda and his thoughts on these items, pretty much forbids discussion - just an up-or-down vote, thank you, and not that your vote will count, mind you.)

He wants to ensure that we KNOW that we really are sheep (just like the selected parish council) and that he is our all-powerful shepherd.
We ought to further add that he, as our shepherd, along with his proistamenoi, his weak, culled parish council and 57 people with a narrow agenda, have taken this once vibrant and dynamic community and turned it into a spiritual and economic wasteland, pitting parishioners against each other, and ensuring hard feelings over lifetimes. Some shepherds!
His Eminence also directed that following approval of the amended Articles and By-Laws, an election will be held for the seven Council positions whose term expired at the end of 2010. This election will be held on Sunday, July 10th and upon acceptance by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah, these seven members together with the existing Council members will continue to fulfill the normal yearly cycle.  Candidates for the Parish Council must meet the established Archdiocese criteria for such service including attending a seminar prior to the elections.  Applications for these positions will be accepted at both Churches until July 1st.  The seminar will be scheduled the week prior to the election.
Whatever. We still have eight persons who have either not had to stand for election, having been appointed to fill vacancies, or those who had at one time been elected and who have by now stayed past terms (and their welcome!). Their recent appointments were made in the belief that they would form the core of the Parish-Council-of-Prophet-Elias-only.

If we are to have elections, ALL spots ought to be open. After the shenanigans, deceits, fantasies and outright incompetence endured by the majority in this community, this would just seem to be common decency and fairness. (Obviously, these subjects are not covered in the parish council candidate seminar, nor apparently is ethics, humility or competent governance.)
We look forward to seeing as many parishioners as possible attend this meeting.
Right, and we're all looking forward to buying beachfront property at the Great Salt Lake.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

From the National Herald - "Metropolitan Isaiah Splits Utah Church"

- Theodore Kalmoukos

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver has gone ahead with his plan to split the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake in Utah into two parishes, disregarding the wish of the majority of the membership who oppose the move, defying the decision of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese and Archbishop Demetrios who “agreed the Salt Lake community will remain as one united parish” as Archbishop Demetrios wrote him on March 24 on behalf of the Eparchial Synod. The Salt Lake Parish was established by Greek pioneer immigrants in 1905 and now has approximately 1,300 families. To better serve its members, in 1969 the parish built a nave (church) in the name of Prophet Elias in the area of Holladay, just as it was with the Cathedral parish of St. Demetrios in Astoria, N.Y., which has two naves, St. Demetrios and St. Catherine. The parish has two priests, the initial chief priest Rev. Michael Kouremetis, and Fr. Matthew Gilbert. With the split, Metropolitan Isaiah has assigned Fr. Gilbert chief priest at the Holy Trinity Cathedral and Fr. Kouremetis to Prophet Elias. Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver did not return phone calls left in his personal voice mail box at the Denver Metropolis. Of the eight members of the current parish council only two were elected by the parish members, while the rest were appointed by the priest. In March 2010, Prophet Elias was organized as a separate religious corporation and registered in Utah without informing the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake. At that time, Metropolitan Isaiah requested the Archdiocese recognize Prophet Elias as a separate parish and grant it an official Charter of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Demetrios, in a letter to Metropolitan Isaiah dated April 12, 2010 wrote that, “We have received your letter requesting the granting of the Official Charter of the Archdiocese to the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias in Holladay, Utah, a community of the Archdiocese and specifically of the Holy Metropolis of Denver. It gives me great joy to grant the Official Charter to Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, effective immediately.”

The Archbishop also wrote that, “The Charter certificate itself will be forthcoming as final preparations are being completed for its production. This letter is a certification with the official Seal of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America attests to the granting of official status of the community.” In a letter to the Salt Lake priests dated Oct. 6 last year, Metropolitan Isaiah announced the split of the parish into two parishes. He wrote that, “I confess to you that I have held back the contents of this letter (the Archbishop’s letter) all this time, because in making my evaluation I wanted to be absolutely convinced that the church-going members indeed wanted to see two separate parishes, each with its own parish council, its own income and its own property.” Isaiah, in his six-page letter, gave directives on how to finalize the split organizing two separate parish councils, two philoptochos societies, schools, youths, etc.

On Oct. 24, 2010 a special meeting took place attended by 450 people, 97% of whom voted against the split and decided on a Call to Action. On Oct. 30, the Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod Archimandrite Sevastianos Skordallos sent a letter to Attorney Nick Colessides stating:

“I am writing to you on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Your appeal dated September 13, 2010 was received and discussed by the Holy Eparchial Synod on October 27, 2010. At the request of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver and in accordance with the Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a Synodal Committee has been formed to review the issues you have raised. The Committee, which includes His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, of Boston, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, and Legal Counsel Kathryn Walsh, will contact you, in the very near future, to schedule a meeting to discuss your case … all involved in this matter were advised to refrain from any further action whatsoever related to the issues raised, pending review and resolution of the matter by the Holy Eparchial Synod. On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod, I kindly ask for your patience as we diligently work to resolve the concerns you have raised in a manner that will establish peace and promote spiritual growth among the faithful people of Salt Lake City.”

A SHARP DIVISION

Nick Bapis a prominent member of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and member of Leadership 100 who has helped the Salt Lake parish to raise millions of dollars, in a telephone conversation told The National Herald that, “The Metropolitan is defying the Archbishop and the Synod. We continue to be disenfranchised and not allowed to hold fair elections. Instead the parish council is appointed as instructed by Met. Isaiah who said on June 7 that vacancies in the current council should be appointed (not elected) and sent to him for approval. It has been over a year since we have had a General Assembly with free and fair voting, and it has been several years since we have had appropriate and fair elections. Parishioners have not had access to proper pledge forms. There is great confusion about our rights to vote because some assumed pledges had to be fulfilled by March 31 as stated in Parish By-Laws. Others heard from the Parish Council that the deadline had been extended to May 31st. Not until June 7th were members informed that the official date was May 31st, an entire week after the deadline.” Bapis also stated that “none of this communication has been carried out properly and keep in mind that the pledge method sanctioned by the hierarchy after the Synod called for a halt to all further action toward a split consisted of two separate pledge forms, one for Holy Trinity and one for Prophet Elias but two separate pledge forms are illegal because we are still one corporation, we are one entity. So, who is really a legitimate member?”

Bapis was going to send Metropolitan Isaiah’s letter to Archbishop Demetrios. He said, “It was sent to Fr. Sebastianos (Scordallos) Secretary of the Eparchial Synod and to Kathryn Walsh the legal advisor and to Jerry Dimitriou also.” Vasilios Priskos, another faithful member of the Salt Lake parish, and a member of Leadership 100, told TNH that “Metropolitan Isaiah is telling us that we are a hierarchical Church and the hierarchy stops with him; he is not going to listen to the Archbishop” and he added “It was clear to me in his letter that he doesn’t care what the Synod said, we are his flock and he can do whatever he wants with us. So why have a Synodal appeal process? Or elections? Or General Assemblies?” Bapis and Priskos revealed their frustration with the Metropolitan’s, the clergy’s, and the parish council’s unwillingness to acknowledge the authority of the Eparchial Synod. “Perhaps the next form of assistance will be with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew” they said.

A MIRACLE?

An icon of Christ was said to exude oil on Oct. 17, 2010 during the Divine Liturgy, which Metropolitan Isaiah declared a miracle. In a letter to Fr. Michael Kouremetis dated Oct. 20, 2010 he wrote: “The Lord has answered our prayers asking Him to resolve the confusing situation in the Salt Lake City area regarding the two parishes. When icons exude tears, like many of the Ever-Virgin Mary have, it is a sign of caution and problems. But, when an icon exudes oil, this is a sign of healing and blessings. When I was informed that the icon of Christ the Archpriest was exuding oil during the Divine liturgy on Sunday, October 17, 2010, when we celebrated the Holy Fathers of the Seventh and final Ecumenical Council in Nicea, I realized that a miracle had occurred. It is not usual for an icon of Christ the Lord to exude oil or even tears. I truly believe that our Lord heard our prayers to make His presence known and to resolve the situation of the two parishes. Now there can be no question in the minds of any of His people. Our Lord recognizes His parishes as monogamous and independent, each with a Proistamenos representing Him through the local bishop. Both parishes can now proceed to grow and to develop for His greater glory and the salvation of His people. The Lord Jesus Christ has spoken with this miracle, and His people will be faithful to His divine will.”

The Eparchial Synod and the Archbishop discussed the appeal filed by the concerned parishioners, and it was also requested by Metropolitan Isaiah.

On March 24 this year Archbishop Demetrios of America sent a letter to Metropolitan Isaiah informing him that the Synod had revoked the new charter that the Archdiocese had granted on April 12, 2010 for Prophet Elias. The Archbishop also wrote to Isaiah that, “At your request last October and in accordance with the Holy Canons and our Archdiocesan Charter and Regulations, the Holy Eparchial Synod agreed to review an appeal pertaining to the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake City.

The Holy Synod In its meeting on March 17, 2011, reached consensus and agreed, the Salt Lake community will remain as one united parish, until such time as the appropriate conditions are in place for the separation into two communities. Therefore, the ecclesiastical charter for Prophet Elias that was issued on April 12, 2010, is to be considered inapplicable and consequently withdrawn. Similarly, the Prophet Elias corporation will be finally dissolved and no separate trade names will be filed with the state of Utah for Holy Trinity and Prophet Elias.”

He added, “The Holy Synod, of which you are also a most valuable and integral member, affirms your authority as a Shepherd of the Holy Metropolis of Denver and assures you, that it will firmly be at your side as you kindly implement the Synodal decisions for the benefit of the Greater Salt Lake City Community who are under your Administrative and Pastoral care.” But in a letter dated June 7, 2011 Metropolitan Isaiah defies the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Archbishop and actually refuses to comply with their decision.

He wrote among other things that “as we approach the final Great Feast and celebration of Pentecost which completes the liturgical season comprising Great Lent, Holy Week, Pascha, and the Pentecostarion, the time has come to put all matters regarding the Church of Christ in Salt Lake City in good and proper canonical order. Please allow me to review certain critical matters regarding the Sacred Tradition of our holy, Orthodox Faith which concern the life of all parishes, at all places in the world, and in all centuries of the Christian era.

First, it is critical to understand that the Church has always been a hierarchical Church, united under its bishops who are the successors to the Holy Apostles. This is not some new concept, but it dates to the very first centuries of the Church. For example, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, writing to the faithful in Smyrna ca. AD 110 states: “Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the people also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Church.” Similarly, Saint Cyprian of Carthage writes to his flock ca. AD 250: “The Church does not withdraw from Christ, and the people united to their Bishop and the flock clinging to their shepherd are the Church.”

A QUESTION OF IDENTITY

The identity of the Church as one flock with one shepherd has always been the foundational principle in the holy Canons. This reality was reflected in the Second Canon of the Second Ecumenical Council held at Constantinople in AD 381, which states: “The bishops are not to go beyond their dioceses to churches lying outside of their bounds.” The same canonical principle was the basis for the statement made over sixteen centuries later at the meeting of the Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on March 16 and 17, 2011: It was noted by all the Members that the responsibility of shepherding the parishes in each Holy Metropolis of the Holy Archdiocese belongs to the respective Hierarch who shepherds them according to the order of the Church, her Canons, the Charter and the Regulations of the Holy Archdiocese. In practical matters concerning the Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City this means that you have one hierarch, the Metropolitan of Denver. The Church in Salt Lake City therefore consists of the faithful people united to their Metropolitan. In other words, there is one shepherd and one flock, one Church and its one bishop.

As the Eparchial Synod reiterated, it is I alone as the Metropolitan of Denver who have exclusive canonical authority over the Orthodox flock throughout this Metropolis, which includes Salt Lake City. It would be a gross violation of twenty centuries of our Church tradition for any other hierarch to interfere in my assigned Metropolis, and no Orthodox hierarch would even conceive of doing so. Yet, I do not act on my own, but I always refer to the consistent tradition of our Church and reflect the common consensus of my brother hierarchs in our Eparchial Synod. Second, it is essential for all of us to understand that the Church in America functions as one Archdiocese. There are not separate rules for different parishes or for the various metropolises. We express our unity in Christ first and foremost at the Divine Liturgy, which is our common worship, but we also do so in day-to-day matters by following a common set of administrative regulations that apply identically to every parish. These are referred to as the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Just as I do not “do things on my own” so our parishes do not have separate sets of regulations. We are not like the heterodox congregational churches that exist in America which, according to a United Nations estimate, today comprise over 25,000 separate independent denominations in this country alone. It is regrettable that the Orthodox faithful in Salt Lake City have been misled by some to believe that the ecclesiastical circumstances there are unique and thus that the Uniform Parish Regulations, not to mention the 2,000 year old traditions of our faith, do not apply.

For the sake of unity and harmony within the greater community in Salt Lake City, it is time for the Church to move forward in the spirit of Christ our Lord and to focus on why the Church is in the world. Accordingly, I am directing your priests to convene a Special Parish Assembly of the faithful from both parishes on Wednesday evening, June 22, 2011.

I am also sending my Chancellor, the Reverend Luke Uhl, as my personal representative to be present with you.

The agenda for this Special Parish Assembly is straightforward foundational. There are four items for you to approve:

• Formal acceptance of the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Archdiocese

• Formal recognition of the names of the two existing churches

• Restoration of the sacred names of the Holy Trinity and Prophet Elias

• Amend the present articles of incorporation within the State of Utah acknowledging the Archdiocese Regulations and the original name of the Holy Trinity which was first incorporated over one hundred years ago, as well as the name of the Prophet Elias.

There is no Greek Orthodox parish that is not under the Uniform Parish Regulations, and there is therefore no need for discussion regarding this agenda. You simply accept the Regulations, so that there will be no confusion or misunderstanding on the part of any and all who may be concerned regarding the ecclesiastical status of the Church in Salt Lake City.

As I have mentioned in previous letters to the current Parish Council, any separation of the two churches will be done in an orderly manner with written documentation in harmony with the teachings of our Church which has preserved the concept of monogamy in all things. Finally, the current continuing parish council members have served well and ably these past few months. It has not been fair for these few individuals to bear the full burden of your combined community. In accordance with the Uniform Parish Regulations (Article 24, Section 5e), I am requesting that the Parish Council submit to me the names of current, contributing members in good standing who will accept to serve on the current Council until December 31, 2011, so as to complete the full number of Parish Council members. These individuals are to be voted on by the current Parish Council and forwarded to me for approval and ratification.

As your bishop, I look forward to receiving the report from Father Luke about the Special Parish Assembly in Salt Lake City. I also look forward to your continued progress in Christ, for the spiritual edification and sanctification of the faithful Greek Orthodox Christians in greater Salt Lake City.”

National Herald

Moderator's Note: the following article appears in the online Greek version of "The National Herald".  

Εθνικός Κήρυξ

Τρίτη, Ιούνιος 14, 2011 Τελευταία Ενημέρωση: 1:59 μμ Go to TheNationalHerald.com RSS Feed

Ο Hσαϊας διασπά κοινότητα στο Σολτ Λέικ Σίτυ - Ανάστατοι οι ενορίτες

ΑΡΧΕΙΟ «Ε.Κ.»
Ο Μητροπολίτης Ντέντερ Ησαϊας.
ΒΟΣΤΩΝΗ. Ο Μητροπολίτης Ντένβερ Ησαϊας φαίνεται αποφασισμένος να διασπάσει την κοινότητα του Καθεδρικού Ναού Αγίας Τριάδος στην πόλη Σολτ Λέικ Σίτι της Γιούτα σε δύο κοινότητες. Αγνοεί την εκφρασθείσα επιθυμία της συντριπτικής πλειοψηφίας των ενοριτών-μελών της, οι οποίοι επιθυμούν να παραμείνει η κοινότητα όπως είναι, δηλαδή μία, ενιαία και ενωμένη κοινότητα. Ταυτόχρονα, δεν υπολογίζει την απόφαση της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου και του Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου, που του έγραψε στις 24 Μαρτίου 2011, πως «συμφωνήθηκε η κοινότητα του Σολτ Λέικ Σίτι θα παραμείνει ως μία ενωμένη κοινότητα», λέγοντας ότι «εγώ είμαι ποιμενάρχης στη Γιούτα».
Η κοινότητα ιδρύθηκε από Ελληνες πρωτοπόρους μετανάστες το 1905. Αποτελείται από 1.300 οικογένειες. Για την καλύτερη εξυπηρέτηση των ενοριτών, έχτισε το 1969 κι έναν δεύτερο ναό του Προφήτη Ηλία στην περιοχή Holladay.
Εχει δύο ιερείς, τον αρχικό της προϊστάμενο π. Μιχαήλ Κουρεμέτη και τον π. Ματθαίο Γκίλμπερτ. Με τη διάσπαση σε δύο, ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας διόρισε τον π. Γκίλμπερτ, στην Αγία Τριάδα και τον π. Κουρεμέτη, στον Προφήτη Ηλία.
Ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας δεν ανταποκρίθηκε σε τηλεφωνικό μήνυμα του «Ε.Κ.». Το κοινοτικό συμβούλιο απαρτίζεται από 15 μέλη από τα οποία μόνο τα 5 έχουν εκλεγεί από την κοινότητα, τα υπόλοιπα 10 έχουν διοριστεί από τον ιερέα Κουρεμέτη.
Τον περασμένο Μάρτιο, ο ναός του Προφήτη Ηλία οργανώθηκε ως ξεχωριστός θρησκευτικός οργανισμός (religious corporation) και καταχωρήθηκε επίσημα στην πολιτεία της Γιούτα χωρίς καν να ενημερωθούν τα μέλη της μέχρι τότε Ενωμένης Κοινότητας της Αγίας Τριάδας, η οποία είχε ιδρυθεί και καταχωρηθεί στην πολιτεία της Γιούτα από το 1905.
Επίσης, το Μάρτιο του 2010 ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας ζήτησε από την Αρχιεπισκοπή να αναγνωριστεί ο ναός του Προφήτου Ηλία ως ξεχωριστή κοινότητα και να της χορηγηθεί το επίσημο καταστατικό της Αρχιεπισκοπής. Στις 12 Απριλίου 2010, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος έστειλε γράμμα στον Μητροπολίτη Ησαϊα, στο οποίο ανάμεσα στα άλλα του έγραψε ότι «λάβαμε το γράμμα σας με το οποίο ζητάτε τη χορήγηση του επίσημου καταστατικού της Αρχιεπισκοπής για την Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη εκκλησία του Προφήτη Ηλία στο Holladay της Γιούτα, η οποία τυγχάνει κοινότητα της Αρχιεπισκοπής και συγκεκριμένα της Μητρόπολης Ντένβερ. Με μεγάλη χαρά σας παραχωρούμε το Επίσημο Καταστατικό στην Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία του Προφήτη Ηλία, το οποίο ισχύει αμέσως».
Στις 9 Οκτωβρίου 2010 ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας έστειλε γράμμα στην κοινότητα και ανακοίνωσε τη διάσπασή της σε δύο κοινότητες. Ανάμεσα στα άλλα, έγραψε και τα εξής: «Σας εξομολογούμαι ότι απέκρυψα όλο αυτόν τον καιρό το περιεχόμενο αυτού του γράμματος (του Αρχιεπισκόπου), διότι κάνοντας την αξιολόγησή μου ήθελα να είμαι απολύτως πεπεισμένος ότι οι εκκλησιαζόμενοι ήθελαν να δουν δύο ξεχωριστές κοινότητες».
Ο κ. Ησαϊας στην εξασέλιδη επιστολή του έδωσε πρακτικές κατευθυντήριες για τη διαδικασία και τις λεπτομέρειες της διάσπασης και συγκεκριμένα πώς να διοργανωθούν δύο ξεχωριστά κοινοτικά συμβούλια, δύο Φιλόπτωχοι Αδελφότητες και γενικότερα διπλοί οργανισμοί, σχολεία, νεολαίες κ.λπ.
Σημειώνεται ότι η κοινότητα διαιρέθηκε σ’ εκείνους που προωθούσαν τη διάσπαση και οι οποίοι είναι μειοψηφία με θεατή την αντίδρασή τους στην ελληνικότητα της Εκκλησίας γενικότερα και σ’ εκείνους που επιθυμούν να παραμείνει η κοινότητα όπως ήταν από το 1905, πλην όμως δεν εισακούστηκαν. Στις 24 Οκτωβρίου 2010 έγινε ειδική σύσκεψη στο ξενοδοχείο «Σέρατον» από ενδιαφερομένους ενορίτες οι οποίοι δεν επιθυμούν τη διάσπαση. Συμμετείχαν 450 άτομα και το 97% τάχθηκε υπέρ της ενότητας και της διατήρησης της μίας ενιαίας και αδιαίρετης κοινότητας με δύο ναούς όπως έχει σήμερα. Εν τω μεταξύ, οι ενορίτες που τάσσονται υπέρ της ενότητας έστειλαν, στις 13 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010 επιστολή-έφεση στην Επαρχιακή Σύνοδο μέσω του δικηγόρου Νικόλαου Κολεσσίδη, προβάλλοντας την επιθυμία της πλειοψηφίας των ενοριτών να μην προχωρήσει η διάσπαση.
Στις 30 Οκτωβρίου 2010, ο Αρχιγραμματέας της Επαρχιακής Συνόδου, Αρχιμανδρίτης Σεβαστιανός Σκορδαλλός, έστειλε απάντηση στον κ. Κολεσσίδη στην οποία τον ενημέρωνε ότι το θέμα συζητήθηκε στη Σύνοδο και πως αποφασίστηκε η σύσταση Συνοδικής Επιτροπής, η οποία θα το εξετάσει. Στην επιτροπή ορίστηκαν οι Μητροπολίτες Βοστώνης Μεθόδιος, Ντιτρόιτ Νικόλαος και η Νομική Σύμβουλος Walsh.
Εν τω μεταξύ, έγινε γνωστό ότι από μία εικόνα του Χριστού στον ναό του Προφήτη Ηλία την Κυριακή 17 Οκτωβρίου 2010 άρχισε να τρέχει λάδι. Οταν το πληροφορήθηκε ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας αποφάνθηκε ότι πρόκειται για θαύμα. Στις 20 Οκτωβρίου 2010 έστειλε επιστολή στον π. Μιχαήλ Κουρεμέτη στην οποία ανάμεσα στα άλλα του έγραφε ότι «ο Κύριος εισάκουσε τις προσευχές μας στις οποίες του ζητήσαμε να επιλύσει την συγκεχυμένη κατάσταση στην περιοχή του Σολτ Λέικ Σιτι». Ο κ. Ησαϊας τόνισε στην επιστολή του πως «όταν εικόνες εκχύνουν δάκρυα, όπως έχουν κάνει πολλές εικόνες της Θεοτόκου, είναι σημάδι προειδοποίησης και προβλημάτων. Αλλά όταν μία εικόνα εκχύνει λάδι, τότε είναι σημάδι ίασης και ευλογιών» και συμπλήρωσε πως «όταν πληροφορήθηκα ότι η εικόνα του Αρχιερέως Χριστού έκχυνε λάδι στη διάρκεια της Θείας Λειτουργίας την Κυριακή 17 Οκτωβρίου, κατάλαβα ότι έχει γίνει θαύμα. Δεν είναι συνηθισμένο μία εικόνα του Χριστού να εκχύνει λάδι ή κι ακόμα δάκρυα. Αληθώς πιστεύω ότι ο Κύριος εισάκουσε τις προσευχές μας να κάνει γνωστή την παρουσία του για να επιλύσει την κατάσταση των δύο κοινοτήτων».
Σε άλλο σημείο της επιστολής του, ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας έγραψε ότι «τώρα δεν θα υπάρχει καμία αμφιβολία στο μυαλό του λαού Του. Ο Κύριος μας αναγνωρίζει τις ενορίες του ως μονογαμικές και ανεξάρτητες, η κάθε μία με τον δικό της προϊστάμενο να Τον αντιπροσωπεύει (τον Χριστό) δια του τοπικού Επισκόπου».
Η Επαρχιακή Σύνοδος στις 17 Μαρτίου 2011 συζήτησε το θέμα της έφεσης που είχαν ζητήσει τόσο μεγάλη ομάδα ενοριτών όσο και ο ίδιος ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας και απεφάνθη όπως αναφέραμε πιο πάνω «να παραμείνει η κοινότητα ενωμένη» και ότι «το εκκλησιαστικό καταστατικό που εκδόθηκε στις 12 Απριλίου 2010 θεωρείται ανεφάρμοστο και συνεπώς ανακαλείται. Ομοίως ο νομικός οργανισμός corporation- του Προφήτη Ηλία τελικώς θα διαλυθεί και δεν θα σημειωθούν ξεχωριστά ονόματα στην πολιτεία της Γιούτα για την Αγία Τριάδα και τον Προφήτη Ηλία.
Ωστόσο, με επιστολή του με ημερομηνία 7 Ιουνίου 2011, ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας απορρίπτει την Επαρχιακή Σύνοδο και τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο και αρνείται να εφαρμόσει την απόφαση, λέγοντας ότι αυτός είναι ο κυρίαρχος ποιμενάρχης στη Γιούτα, ενώ επικαλείται πρόσφατο ανακοινωθέν της Συνόδου Μαρτίου 16 και 17, 2011 που είχε εκδοθεί με αφορμή την κρίση που είχε δημιουργήσει ο Μητροπολίτης Μεθόδιος στο Λιν.
Ο κ. Ησαϊας έγραψε πως «έχετε έναν ιεράρχη, τον Μητροπολίτη του Ντένβερ» και σ’ άλλο σημείο πως «εγώ μόνο ως Μητροπολίτης Ντένβερ έχω την αποκλειστική κανονική εξουσία επί του Ορθόδοξου ποιμνίου σ’ όλη αυτή τη Μητρόπολη, που συμπεριλαμβάνει και το Σολτ Λέικ Σίτι». Εδωσε εντολή να γίνει γενική συνέλευση και στέλνει τον πρωτοσύγκελο του π. Luke Uhl να τον αντιπροσωπεύσει.
Ο Νικόλαος Μπέβης επιφανές μέλος της κοινότητας, Αρχων του Πατριαρχείου και μέλος της «Ηγεσίας των 100», ο οποίος έχει συμβάλλει στην συγκέντρωση εκατομμυρίων δολαρίων για την κοινότητα, δήλωσε στον «Ε.Κ.» πως «ο Μητροπολίτης Ησαϊας απορρίπτει τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο και τη Σύνοδο. Εξακολουθούμε να είμαστε διαλυμένοι και δεν μας επιτρέπεται να έχομε ελεύθερες και δίκαιες εκλογές» και συμπλήρωσε «είναι πάνω από ένα χρόνο που δεν είχαμε Γενική Συνέλευση με ελεύθερη ψηφοφορία και αρκετά χρόνια που δεν είχαμε εκλογές».
Ο κ. Μπέβης έστειλε το γράμμα του κ. Ησαϊα στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο, στον π. Σκορδαλλό, στον Τζέρι Δημητρίου και στην Kathryn Walsh.
Ο κ. Βασίλειος Πρίσκος, επίσης επιφανές μέλος της κοινότητας, είπε ότι «ήταν ξεκάθαρο στην επιστολή του Μητροπολίτη Ησαϊα ότι δεν τον ενδιαφέρει τι λέγει η Σύνοδος, αλλά πως είμαστε ποίμνιο του και μπορεί να μας κάνει ό,τι θέλει» και διερωτήθηκε, «οπότε γιατί να έχομε συνοδική διαδικασία έφεσης ή εκλογές ή γενική συνέλευση;».
Αμφότεροι οι κ. Μπεβης και Πρίσκος είπαν «ίσως το επόμενο βήμα είναι να απευθυνθούμε στον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο.»

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Are You Really the Boss?

"Just as I do not do things on my own, but always refer to the consistent tradition of our Church and reflect the common consensus of my brother hierarchs in our Eparchial Synod."  How then can your brother hierarchs in the Eparchial Synod direct you to "kindly implement" the decisions as stated in the letter signed by the Archbishop, and you in turn mention only the parts of the letter that suit you?  If you reflect the common consensus of the Eparchial Synod why have you not implemented A SINGLE directive?  If you are your own boss, why did you and your priests LIE to the Archbishop to have an ILLEGAL charter issued for Prophet Elias.

As you cite sections of the UPR when they suit your needs and ignore clear violations of the same UPR because they are not beneficial to you we ask:  If the local parish bylaws are in conflict with the UPR, which is followed? We will answer our own question:  According to the UPR, the UPR supersedes the parish bylaws in instances of conflict.  The agenda for the upcoming fiasco general assembly states that only those who have fulfilled their stewardship obligations through the first quarter will be allowed to participate.  Article 31 of the UPR allows those who are in arrears can participate in a general assembly by meeting their stewardship obligations on or before the date of the meeting.  Seems you and your appointed cronies have chosen to ignore what doesn't suit your agenda.  In the same light, if your actions ignore the Eparchial Synod and the Archbishop, why have we been asked to submit nearly $140, 000 in our assessment?  (For the record, no monies have been sent thus far this year to the Archdiocese not to mention the last quarter of 2010.) 

Η στραβος ειν' ο γιαλος , η στραβα αρμενιζουμε!

Ο λύκος κι αν εγέρασε

κι άλλαξε το μαλλί του,

μήδε την γνώμη άλλαξε
μήδε την κεφαλή του.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Comments on BANANA REPUBLIC ORTHODOXY AT ITS FINEST!!!

Dear All,

Our Metropolitan single handedly defies the Holy Eparchial Synod.  Compare his two last letters to the March 24, 2011 Archbishop’s letter.

He marches to HIS OWN DRUMMER!  He refuses to follow and implement a single request from the Holy Eparchial Synod.  He is content to tell us that HE alone is our master.  He is so deficient in “self esteem” that he wants “to prove” his point.  He wants us to kowtow to his unreasonable demands.  He does not understand that respect is earnedit cannot be imposed.  

What a contemptible arrogance!  It is sinful.

Is there any reason why we should follow his directives?

May God have mercy on his soul “when he goes to sleep.”   Δέν θα είναι ο ύπνος του δικαίου?  Τι ψυχή θα παραδώσει??? Πρεπει να πιστευουμαι οτι ενας ανθρωπος σαν και αυτον πιστευει? 

There are no words that can describe the damage that he, with his minions, has created in our community.

Ευτυχώς που ο Θεός ειναι Μεγάλος και τα βλέπει ΟΛΑ! 

And he is not man enough to come and tell us personally;  he is hiding behind his chancellor. 

Nick

P.S.  Click here for a copy of the Denver Metropolitan’s Letter dated June 7, 2011. 

Nick J. Colessides
466 South 400 East, Suite 100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111-3325

Voice:  801/521-4441
Fax:      801/521-4452

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys....

Click HERE  to read the latest letter from the Metropolitan that will be arriving in the next days.  Review the letter carefully and see if any of the Archbishop/Synod directives are followed.  In addition to the letter click HERE to see the agenda for upcoming general assembly along with who is considered eligible to participate in this upcoming meeting.

As we can clearly see, the Metropolitan along with his assigned and appointed puppets continue in their attempt to exclude participation, eliminate open parish council elections and move to divide and conquer.  The citing of UPR when it suits and ignoring when it does not is an action beneath the dignity of any cleric.


Τι 'χες Γιαννη,τι 'χα παντα!

Τον αραπη κι αν το πλενεις,το σαπουνι σου χαλας!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Recent Developments

On three separate occasions, (May 22 and 25 and June 2, 2011) I e-mailed the chancellor of our Metropolis asking whether he would be coming to Salt Lake for a general assembly.  On June 2, 2011 I received a courtesy copy e-mail with a response.  This e-mail was originally sent to Fr. Michael and Fr. Matthew asking them to, "Please address his question, and advise him of the proper order for these matters.

I subsequently received a phone call on Friday, June 3, 2011 from Phill Floor who was directed to respond to my question.  According to Mr. Floor, Fr. Luke will be in Salt Lake City on June 22, 2011 for a general assembly.  In addition, Mr. Floor stated that only those who pledged by March 31, 2011 would be allowed to participate in this general assembly.  This begs the question:  What about those who have pledged using the new white pledge form which was distributed after March 31, 2011?  

I would like to publicly thank our two priests for responding to the request of the chancellor of the Metropolis of Denver in advising me on the proper order of these matters. 


Yannis Armaou