SEMPER FI? (Denial Is NOT a River in Egypt!)

We are once again treated to a shameful display wherein our hierarch, Metropolitan Isaiah, throws his brother bishop, Archbishop Demetrios - presumably his superior in this country -  “under the bus”. (Funny, the Metropolitan isn't shy about demanding that his "lieutenants", the lower clergy, obey him TO THE LETTER! When they're asked about any nonsense THEY engage in to the detriment of those in this community, they point to "the chain of command"!  They're "just following orders". Our Metropolitan, it appears, has no qualms about tanking his superior, and, apparently answers to NO ONE! Or is it the Patriarch? Or is that now the same thing?)

This time the Metropolitan is a bit careful to assert that it was Archdiocese attorneys, having been influenced by a few Salt Lake City parishioners, engaging in "un-canonical" (sic) behaviors, who are to blame.

Unfortunately, a few years ago Archbishop Demetrios was convinced by three or four individuals from Salt Lake City that I had ordered the separation of the two churches.

Having been in the administration of our Archdiocese forty of my fifty years of service to the Church, I would never had done such a thing, knowing that the official request had to come initially from the membership of a separate parish, as the Uniform Parish Regulations state. I received no such request and no response of official recognition was ever sent by me.  (emphases added)

This assertion is extraordinarily strange in that the Metropolitan, these past few dismal years, was continually making accusations of “spiritual polygamy”, assertions that the community was (and still IS) de facto split (after he has been actively engaged in helping those who wish to see it split, despite the wishes of the great majority in the community).

Nearly two years ago, in the face of ongoing, self-created circumstances, Metropolitan Isaiah, strangely enough, received a letter, dated April 12, 2010 (the original may be viewed here). Our full community was made aware of this letter SIX MONTHS after it was written and sent!

We all remember that the Metropolitan, and his local cronies, held this letter, (Mr. Petrogeorge referred to such, but of course COULD NOT, WOULD NOT, read it during the June 2010 Special General Assembly, though he did refer to "something he could not share at the time!").

The letter granted a separate Prophet Elias Charter. Obviously, the Metropolitan told his puppet Parish Council to hold this letter so he could be REALLY, REALLY sure that the community needed separating! (We also recall that he had earlier said he would not forcibly split the community.)

We have all, sadly, learned these past few years that the Metropolitan's "word" on just about any subject is meaningless. (So much for "semper fi" for that former Marine!)

We provide for our readers' re-edification the letter he released to our community,  just before he demanded our community be split and HOW it should be split - of course he says he did NOT do this! (Remember the blue and yellow pledge cards?) This letter was released to us six months after he received it, but we're supposed to believe he did not request it!:

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERlCA

April 12, 2010

His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver

4550 East Alameda Avenue

Denver, CO 80246-1208



Beloved Brother in Christ,



Χριστός Ανέστη!



We have received your letter requesting (emphasis added) 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 us great joy to grant the Official Charter to Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, effective immediately.



The Charter certificate itself will be forthcoming as final preparations are being completed for its production. This letter of certification with the official Seal of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America attests to the granting of official status of the community.



With brotherly love and esteem in the Risen Christ,


/s/


+DEMETRIOS,
 Archbishop of America

We are asked to believe that Archbishop Demetrios - out of the clear blue! - granted a charter where NONE was requested? Yet in the above-referenced letter the Archbishop refers to the Metropolitan's "letter requesting the granting of the Official Charter of the Archdiocese" for Prophet Elias?

Strange! These odd denials that are now being made by the Metropolitan, in the face of his writings, his assertions, his actions, and his receipt of letters he had requested, during the past few years just occurred out of nowhere? They were not requested by the Metropolitan? Who else would have the power to request them?

These latest events and assertions quite simply lead to one of two conclusions: a) the Metropolitan is NOW backpedaling to justify YEARS of actions designed PROACTIVELY to split this community on behalf of a small minority; or, b) he simply doesn't remember what he's said or done. The former is simply "more of the same"; the latter would lead us, charitably, to suggest the Metropolitan ought to seek appropriate medical advice.

Either way, our community is well within its rights to insist - immediately - that these absurdities on behalf of the few cease, and cease now!