An Appeal to Archbishop Demetrios Et Al.

Moderators' Note: Below is a letter transmitted to Archbishop Demetrios, with copies sent to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Eparchial Synod. The original pdf file of this appeal document may be accessed by clicking HERE. Links for supporting documents are provided throughout.

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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 13, 2010
Via Federal Express
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
Office ofthe Archbishop
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese ofAmerica
8-10 East 79
New York NY 10021


Re: Appeal to the Eparchial Synod


Your Eminence,

Ευλογειτε.

I have been asked by the 86 signatory parties to the accompanying Appeal, to transmit these documents, to the Eparchial Synod.

Our Parish would appreciate any help that the Eparchial Synod may be able to give us.

May the beginning of the ecclesiastical new year bring love, peace, and Christian unity to your entire flock.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respecfully,

/s/

Nick J. Colessides

enclosure: Appeal document with all exhibits and appendices


cc: His All Holiness Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, via international air mail, with enclosures
Each Member of the Eparchial Synod, with all enclosures, via regular US mail

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GREEK ORTHODOX
ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
BEFORE THE EPARCHIAL SYNOD
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
______________________________________________________________________________
)
IN THE MATTER OF: )
)
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF )
GREATER SALT LAKE, )
)
Appellant. )

APPEAL

Date: September 13, 2010
______________________________________________________________________________

To: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America,
and the Holy Eparchial Synod of Bishops of
the Archdiocese of America

This is an appeal pursuant to and in accordance with PART IV, ARTICLE 35, Dispute Resolution Procedures, “Addendum B, Dispute Resolution Procedures,” of the Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 2007, (the “UPRs”).

Article 35 states the following:
Section 1: Disputes that involve ... church property issues and that pertain to the life of the Parish or Church community shall be governed by the Dispute Resolution Procedures attached hereto as Addendum B.” [emphasis added].

This Appeal involves our Metropolitan Hierarch, to-wit: Metropolitan Isaiah, the Metropolitan of the current Metropolis and former Diocese of Denver. According to the procedure set forth in Section III(b) of Addendum B of the UPRs, this dispute is under the Direct Jurisdiction of, and addressed by, the Eparchial Synod.

Background

Our Parish is named the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake (the “Parish”). In October 2010 our Parish will celebrate its 105th anniversary. Our Parish was created in October of 1905. In 1969 with the blessings of the Archdiocese of North and South America our community added a new church edifice in our Parish; it built the Prophet Elias Church. During the Parish’s lifetime we have always operated two church edifices with one Parish Council; we had Clergy that were assigned to our community by the Archdiocese. All assigned clergy ministered to the entire Parish, and all clergy alternated their Sunday Liturgical services between the two Churches. We have lived in relative harmony, and have consistently moved forward in an Orthodox Christian way, and making our mark in and amongst the Mormon community, which maintains a large presence in Utah.

Our Parish joined the Archdiocese of North and South America on March 9, 1964. The evidence that our Parish joined the Archdiocese is supported by the documents set forth in Exhibit “A,” copies of which are appended herein and by this reference are incorporated and made a part hereof. The March 9, 1964 letter (1 - that can be accessed by clicking on this link) and other documents are also referenced collectively hereinafter as the “1964 Accord.” Through his various writings Metropolitan Isaiah disputes the validity of the March 9, 1964 letter, and the Christian, legal, moral and ethical consequences of the Accord. He has never articulated either a legal, canonical, or religious basis for his disdain for the March 9, 1964 letter.

During the first 97 years of the Parish’s life we enjoyed a dynamic existence. Our Parish was very vibrant. In 1999 the entire Parish unanimously created the Hellenic Heritage Campaign Committee (“HHCC”). The HHCC was established to accomplish the goals set forth below. The Parish always acted by and through its general assembly of our Parish’ stewards; the Parish acting by and through its general assembly approved the creation of the HHCC. Thereafter, the HHCC commenced an ambitious fund raising program in order to meet the Parish’s unanimous mandate. Overall the HHCC raised an amount in excess of $5 million dollars in cash; approximately $6.5 million were pledged during the fund raising drive.

The purpose of the creation of the HHCC and the Parish’s mandate to the HHCC was two-fold. First, to rehabilitate the crown jewel of our community, the Holy Trinity Cathedral edifice; and, second, to reconstruct and improve the Cathedral’s surrounding campus.

In connection with the fund raising efforts by the HHCC, the HHCC employed several architects as well as architectural and construction consultants, etc.; the HHCC has expended an additional amount of approximately $350,000 in fees paid to third party consultants. All work performed by all the members of the HHCC and the parishioners in general was performed on a volunteer basis. During the period between 1999 and 2005, there were approximately 15,000 hours of volunteer efforts donated to the effort by Salt Lake parishioners. The HHCC also learned some very valuable lessons during the first part of the fund raising efforts.

The Cathedral restoration project involved the complete rehabilitation of the magnificent 1925 Byzantine church edifice, anti-seismic protection, the tying in of the bell towers to the structure, a new Iconostasi, a new HVAC system, etc. The Cathedral renovation was completed on time and within the budget approved by the general assembly. Most importantly this worthy endeavor was accomplished without any debt whatsoever. The HHCC paid approximately $3.8 million for the Cathedral renovation and rehabilitation project. Please note that every expenditure for the Cathedral project was approved on a regular basis by the semiannual, annual and on occasion by special general assemblies of the parishioners/stewards of our Parish.

The second phase of the 1999 Parish mandate to the HHCC was to be the replacement and construction of Sunday School classrooms. The Parish needs to replace and reconstruct the antiquated Sunday School facilities. We cannot afford to entrust our youngsters who attend Sunday School to the vagaries of unsafe and unsound Sunday School facilities. The Parish also needs to reconstruct its gymnasium, provide for new kitchen facilities, build a new community center, build a museum facility, construct senior citizen living facilities, and other ancillary and supporting facilities. These needs were delineated in the master plan designed by the third party consultants hired by the HHCC.

When the Rev. Fr. John Kaloudis left his ministry of our Parish, Metropolitan Isaiah appointed his successor, the Rev. Fr. Michael Kouremetis, initially as the sole Proistameno in our Parish.

Fr. Kouremetis was appointed to our Parish in 2002. Since that time period the HHCC’s fund-raising efforts have stalled. The figures show that during his tenure in our community the stewardship program has reached an all-time low. Over this same time period Parishioners have continuously reduced their annual stewardship giving ever since 2002. The research also shows that prior to Fr. Kouremetis’ arrival significant surplus in the Parish’s financial accounts existed and the annual budgets were not being projected with severe deficiency of funds. Sadly this is not the current state of affairs with our Parish.

The recent 2010 audit for the calendar/fiscal year 2009, has amply demonstrated salient facts of import and concern to our Parish, including the following:

A. Executive summary

1. Poor accounting practices, systems and record keeping
2. Violations in delegation of authority
3 Non existent oversight and segregation of duties
4. Duplication of efforts and poor communication
5. Early processing of payroll frequently
6. Poor employee accountability
7. Significant spending on items that could be avoided
8. Not clear on priorities of capital improvements.

B. Violations in delegation of authority and co-mingling of designated funds.

1. Pavilion expenditures at Prophet Elias
2. Prayer Garden at Prophet Elias
3. Baptismal font, Iconostasi, and appointment fund at Prophet Elias
4. Interior and exterior remodel and dome projects at Prophet Elias
5. Late fees

In other words at Prophet Elias, where Fr. Kouremetis was the Proistameno, and under his governance, it was a ξέφραχτο αμπέλι. The 2009 audit highlighted and magnified for the Parish, certain financial irregularities in the Parish’s operational financial structure. These irregularities have severely cost the Parish tens of thousands of dollars. Since that time many parishioners seem to have lost confidence in the ability of the present clergy structure to continue to lead this Parish in a competent and fiscally responsible manner. Recently, one of our twenty year olds, on July 15, 2010, wrote the following in a letter addressed to the Clergy and the Parish Council.

“Go to either of the churches on a Sunday and count the 20-30 year-olds. You will only need one hand. Is it because we are terrible people and like to sleep in. NO. It’s because we feel alienated day in and day out. Voices are going unheard and the church doesn’t even care.”

We can ill afford at this time, to lose our youth and alienate them from the Church, especially when they are vulnerable to outside influences while they search for spiritual answers. Please listen to the climate that has been created by our assigned clergy.

For instance, the Parish Council at the special request and insistence of Fr. Kouremetis, and without the approval of any general membership assembly, expended over $500,000, for half- finished capital improvements in the Prophet Elias campus. Such an expenditure is a clear violation of the provisions of the UPRs. Again, the Parish Council, under the tenure of Fr. Kouremetis incurred and paid out of Parish funds, penalties and interest, pursuant to an IRS order imposing such penalties and interest. No effort has been made by the legally responsible executive members of the Parish Council to reimburse the Parish for such unlawful diminution of the Parish’s assets. This Parish can ill afford to allow its clergy to continue to spend outside the authority of the general assembly. If this practice continues, this Parish will soon be in a severe and dire financial crisis.

The irregularities discovered by the 2009 Audit are not only shocking, but replete with breaches of fiduciary duties and dereliction of duties which need to be addressed moving forward by the Parish. The entire audit report as presented to the June 2010, regular general assembly is appended herein, marked Appendix “Z” and by this reference is incorporated herein and made a part hereof. The Audit report was presented to the general parishioners’ assembly; it was mailed to the Metropolitan and to the Archdiocese. As of today Metropolitan Isaiah has refused to assure the Parish that corrective action has or will be taken, and that the appropriate executive officers of the Parish will reimburse the Parish for the IRS imposed penalties and interest.

There has not been a bona fide election in this Parish for the last 5 years. Every time parishioners sign up to run for the Parish Council positions, vague, ambiguous, and capricious requirements, prevent certain stewards of long and proven standing from even having their names on the ballot. Fr. Kouremetis and Fr. Gilbert continue to disqualify parishioners who are willing to sacrifice and make contributions to this Parish.

On or about May 25, 2010, the Kaliope Sargetakis family, (herself and her 3 married sons) (the “Sargetakis”) filed a formal arbitration request with the Metropolitan’s Office in Denver, CO., about the “... control and appropriation of certain funds, the ‘funds’” held by the custodian of said funds, ... .”

Again, in July, 2010, the Sargetakis family requested action on their arbitration request.

On or about May 2010, parishioner Yanni Armaou also filed a formal arbitration request with the Metropolitan’s Office in Denver, regarding the same subject matter.

As of today, no response or action has been taken by the Metropolitan who continues to ignore the formal requests for arbitration by stewards and leaders of our Parish.

We are trying to be harmonious and live within Metropolitan Isaiah’s directives; however, we receive contradictory mixed signals, with almost every letter he writes to our community. He has castigated our parishioners as “robbers” because of fund raising efforts, and because we insist that we must build adequate Sunday School rooms for our children. He addresses us as the people who worship the “ ‘almighty dollar’ which unfortunately is first in the hearts and minds of numerous Greek Orthodox Christians in the Salt Lake City Area.”

We have been also addressed as the “deceivers” and the “pretenders.” Metropolitan’s Isaiah caustic letters to our Parish (witness the Metropolitan’s letter (2) dated April 16, 2010, mailed out to our community on Good Friday) [and to third parties] are a continuous stream of character assassination by innuendo. They are devoid of references to Christian love, and messages of Christian unity. Metropolitan Isaiah fails to recognize, in the words of the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, that “Η Έκκλησία δέν είναι εξουσία είναι διακονεία.”

In his letter (3) of November 15, 2005, he (Metropolitan Isaiah) stated:

First and foremost it must be stressed that every Greek Orthodox parish is owned by the general membership. ... This means that in the matter of revenues and property, the general membership makes all the decisions.”

The community agreed with the contents of his letter as set forth above, 268 parishioners signed a petition (4) calling for a special general assembly. The petition was properly served upon the parties required to be served by the UPRs. Copies of the petition was also sent to the
Metropolitan in Denver, and to the Office of the Archbishop of America. The Metropolitan denied the parishioners’ right to a special general assembly.

Metropolitan Isaiah continues to berate our Parish because according to his thinking our Parish suffers from “... abnormal and uncanonical situation which continues to exist in the community.” Given the fact that there are three other communities in the United States that have one Parish and two church edifices, we have asked many times Metropolitan Isaiah to point to any canon that we are violating. As of the date of this Appeal, we have still not received a response from the Metropolitan.

Additionally, Metropolitan Isaiah’s rationalizations regarding the Accord of the Μακαριστός Bishop Demetrios defies logic, dogma, or any Canonical basis for rejection. In one instance he portrays the Μακαριστός Bishop Demetrios as a titular Bishop without any “... administrative5 responsibilities.” (5) It is crystal clear that the 1964 Accord, in the words of the Μακαριστός Bishop Demetrios, wherein the Salt Lake City Parish was welcomed in and became a member of the Archdiocese of North and South America, with the official proviso (6) that:

“You may exclude from the current Archdiocese Regulations and Uniform Parish By-Laws Article VII pertaining to “Parish Property” and Article VI paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 “use and Disposal of Property, Funds, Gifts, Bequests and Devises." Emphasis added.

Our Parish is in complete and utter disarray.

The most egregious part of the Metropolitan’s actions, is the most current letter (7) dated July 23, 2010. Three pages of sophistry; no substance; only excuses as to why Bishop Demetrios of Olympus (of Blessed Memory) was merely an auxiliary bishop and lacked the authority to give our community the assurances it wanted. A copy of Metropolitan’s Isaiah’s letter dated July 23, 2010, to the Clergy and Parish Council is attached herein marked Exhibit “D” and by this reference is attached herein and made a part hereof.

If one were to follow the logic contained in the Metropolitan’s last letter, it seems to us that somebody tricked this Parish in 1964, and through trickery, deceit, and misrepresentations, we ended up joining, and for the last forty six years, paying to the Archdiocese our annual contributions. In excess of 46 years, the Archdiocese has been the annual beneficiary of the 1964 ratification, acceptance, accord and satisfaction. The Archdiocese has waived any contrary interpretation to the 1964 Accord and the Metropolitan is not in a position to so determine otherwise.

We cannot see how Christian love, honor, integrity, moral values and ethics, could inspire and motivate Metropolitan Isaiah to write his letter dated July 1, 2010. He decided to unilaterally disavow the 1964 letter Accord issued by and on behalf of the Archdiocese of North and South America.

Reason for the Appeal

The undersigned hereby appeal from Metropolitan Isaiah’s recent decision not to honor the signatures of 268 parishioners. He has prohibited (8) this community from holding a special general assembly so that the entire assembly (9) may consider a particular resolution. The signatories to the Petition followed the UPRs. We have acted pursuant to Article 31, Section 7 of the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In our reading of the UPRs there is NO provision where a Metropolitan may sua sponte enter his edict forbidding the holding of a special assembly, in direct contravention of the UPRs.

Remedy sought

We earnestly pray that the Eparchial Synod provide us with the following remedies:

1. To allow the special general assembly to take place in our Parish, on a date and time certain to consider and deliberate the issues raised by the Resolution.

2. To reconfirm the previously recognized Letter Accord of March 9, 1964 as a valid and subsisting document evidencing the relationship between our Parish, and the Archdiocese; and

3. To recognize that the general membership of our Parish has complete and total control of all its properties and monies; and

4. To reassign Fr. Michael Kouremetis from our Parish; and

5. To appoint new clergy selected by the Archdiocese and the Metropolitan of Denver; and

6. To allow for future Parish Council elections to be held consistent with the provisions of the UPRs, so that we all may once again live in harmony to glorify God.

We need to focus our attention and resources to building safe Sunday School rooms; we need to convert our vision to reality for a dynamic Greek Orthodox Church in Utah. We do not need to be told that we are the “deceivers,” since such ad hominem attacks on our parishioners does little to further missions and goals of being faithful Greek Orthodox Christians.

The present situation in our community continuous to deteriorate and has shaken the foundation which so many sacrificed to build and protect in the past. The stewardship funds are at the lowest level in the history of this community. We need your help in assisting and guiding us to become, again, the vibrant community we once were in Utah. We need to have you stop the arbitrary and unjust decisions before we reach irreversible chaos and become a shadow or mere memory of our past greatness. Our Parish, with your help can continue to be a beacon of light for Greek Orthodox Christians in the state of Utah and the intermountain west.

Please help us reach reconciliation. We are very proud of what our Greek immigrant pioneers have accomplished in unity. We rest our hope in you that we can again provide the best future for our children and grandchildren.

Dated as of this 13th day of September, 2010.

The below listed parishioners* are stewards in good standing
of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake;
each has consented via e-mail, or fax, or written correspondence
to be named a signatory party to the foregoing appeal.
Their names appear in alphabetical order.

*Whenever a parishioner has served
in any capacity in any of the Parish’
organizations, the title each held
is also set forth opposite such person’s name.

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Signatory Parties

Angelides, Aphrodite
Angelides, Joanna
Angelides, Nicholas - Former member of the Parish Council
Armaou, Yannis - Former member of the Parish Council

Bapis, Nick M. - Former member and president of the Parish Council
Bapis Elaine - Member St. Sophia Greek Orthodox School Board
Founder St. Sophia Greek Orthodox School
Bathemess, Leiann - Former member of the Parish Council
Benis, George
Benis, Mary

Calevas, John
Chatzis, Alethia
Chatzis, Chris
Chelemes, Basil, Former member of the Parish Council and Assistant Choir Director
Chelemes, Elsie
Chelemes, Joni
Chelemes, Sam - Former president and member of the Parish Council
Colessides, Barbara Billinis
Colessides, Constantine J. - Former member of the Parish Council (also Houston Parish)
Colessides, Nick J. - Former member of the Parish Council
Colessides, Syd
Condas, Vasiliki

Folias, Vickie - Member St. Sophia Greek Orthodox School Board Founder

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox School
Fuskandrakis, Dimitrios
Fuskandrakis, Kathleen

Gamvroulas, Maria
Gamvroulas, Steve - Former member of the parish Council
Giannis, Andy - Former member of the Parish Council
Giannis, Helen
Gianoulis, Anthony M. D.
Giannoulis, Katherine
Gianoulis, Marina, Former member St. Sophia School Board

Guin, Baird
Guin, Elaine K.

Kalodimos, Joe
Kalodimos, Melinda
Kastanis, James - Former president and member of the Parish Council
Kastanis Lucille
Katsanevas, Nicholas
Katsanevas, Steve
Kevitch, Estelle
Kevitch, Michael
Kithas, Andrew J.
Kithas, Angela S.
Kithas, Philip A., M.D. - Former member of the Parish Council
Kogianes Alexander
Kogianes, Jill
Kogianes, Steve

Lyhnakis, Ioannis
Lyhnakis, Soula

Manfredini, Angel
Manfredini, Paul
Mantes, E. G. Jr. - Former member of the Parish Council
Manousakis, Mitch
Mares, Alicia Kastanis

Orton, Andrea

Pappasideris, Harry
Pappasideris, Maria
Peters, Thomas W.
Peters, Bill Thomas - Former president and member of the Parish Council
Peters, Vickie Speros
Pezely, Michael
Priskos, Vasilios

Rizzo, Richard J.

Sakellariou, Athanassios D. - Former member of the Parish Council
Sakellariou, Jannette
Saltas, John
Saltas, Paula Metos
Sefakis, Nick - Former president and member of the Parish Council
Skedros, Constantine - Former president and member of the Parish Council
Skedros, Georgette
Skedros, Gregory J. - Former member of the Parish Council
Skedros, John G., M.D.
Skedros, Tykie, D., M.D.
Slager, Athena - Former president, Holy Trinity Philoptochos Board
Sotiriou, Alexander
Sotiriou, Antoinette - Member Holy Trinity Philoptochos Board
Sotiriou, Cynthia
Sotiriou, Elysia
Sotiriou, Leo, M.D.
Sotiriou, Margo - Former president of the Holy Trinity Philoptochos Society
Founder St. Sophia Greek Orthodox School
Member St. Sophia Greek Orthodox School Board
Sotiriou, Michael

Tsagaris, Dimitrios - Former member of the Parish Council
Tsagaris, Zoe - Former member of the Parish Council
Tsoutsounis, Chris
Tsoutsounis, Nitsa

Young, Matina

Apostolic "Successes"

Matthew 18:
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (King James version)

It is quite clear after eight years that the current "apostolic successor" came to this valley with specific instructions from his "apostolic successor" leader, namely his bishop, to DIVIDE this community. There is simply no other explanation for the absurd, self-defeating actions we keep witnessing with this "ministry". This crusade to divide us continues to the bitter end despite our overwhelming opposition to it. It ignores promises and assurances given to our founders by previous "apostolic successors" whose authority to grant those promises is now being questioned by the current ones.

That an "apostolic successor" can actually voice that he "never forgives" indicates, sadly, that some of our current "apostolic successors" do not have Christian teaching as the top priority of their ministries. That priority falls well distant behind absolute power and complete control.

This state of affairs begs the question: did things really have to be this way?

Father Michael refuses to work with anyone who might disagree with him. He insulates himself against this possibility by disqualifying such persons, on specious grounds, and not allowing their names to appear on the ballot for the parish council. This "dirty tricks" political tactic has ensured that this community (with open approval from Denver, armed with the rationalization of UPRs rammed through a "kangaroo court" Clergy-Laity Congress, and that are designed to hold down the laity) has not had a properly ELECTED board in nearly five years!

Think what might have been accomplished here with some goodwill on the Proistamenos' part. Yes, he would have to deal with some less pliant members of his flock, but that is the stuff of democracy - a vital part of our Hellenic legacy. It is also a sensible part of open and transparent governance. Had there been a willingness to work openly and honestly with all his flock, stewardship would not be falling off a cliff; restricted funds would not be raided; vital projects would not be at a standstill; dissension would be minimized; our youth would not be so disaffected. What kind of "apostolic succession" discourages a strong, vibrant, unified community, and instead promotes discord and disharmony as its ministry's legacy?

Our current "apostolic successor" is proving to be merely a foot soldier to a current hierarchy that, like the Pharisees, is more involved in the letter of the law (but ONLY when it suits their purposes) rather than its spirit - a hierarchy that seeks to dominate rather than lead its flock. When a spiritual leader scorns forgiveness, rather than emulating Christ's gentle manner of teaching and leading, how can there be a successful ministry?

"Physician, heal thyself!" Please! Our community, your flock - and your ministry - is suffering because you either cannot or will not!

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PS - Word has it that our Proistamenos at PE is grooming his son-in-law as his successor. Question: since when did the priesthood become a familial, monarchical succession?

The Last Days of Pompeii

An e-mail was recently sent to the community from parishcouncil@gocslc.org with the signature of the proistameno of Prophet Elias only, inviting us to "partake in the following Services and Educational Programs which will be held at Prophet Elias Church this New Ecclesiastical Year." The list of services to be offered by the proistameno of Prophet Elias only is impressive albeit almost 8 years after his arrival to our community. It is doubtful that he has been unaware of the existence of these services since his arrival. Why now? Is this an attempt to regain lost friends who have scattered because of his actions?

For one who has said that he "never forgives", what could he possibly teach? Many services have been added to the calendar which take place at Holy Trinity without the fanfare of this recent e-mail. Why the fuss of this formal announcement? It is apparent that the master plan to divide, at least in his mind, is alive and well.

On the eve of the festival I am left to wonder how many Judas hugs and kisses he will give to people he hates to see. Surely, when the cameras arrive he will be front and center playing the part of "great leader." In reality the only time he sets foot at Holy Trinity is when it benefits him to rub elbows with "the rich and famous."

We have seen and felt his tactics. After 8 years there is only one decision remaining for you to make: your immediate departure. Your mission to divide has failed it is time now to leave.

Yannis Armaou

If the Second Coming of Our Lord should be soon!

I just stumbled on this browsing the internet.
Without any further comments, please read and make your own assessments!

http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles2/MetIsaiahGOA.php

Yannis Armaou

Sophistry At Its Finest

SOPHISTRY - a subtle, tricky, superficially plausible, but generally fallacious method of reasoning.

(In other words, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with 'bull dung'!" - the Metropolitan's phrase some time ago, most certainly not ours.)

The following two letters were received by most parishioners today. Click here to see the scanned originals. The texts of both correspondences are found below as well.

LETTER FROM OUR ESTEEMED CLERGY AND PARISH COUNCIL

July 27, 2010

Dear Parishioners,

On July 20, 2010 the Parish Council and the Clergy received a signed petition and a resolution from a group of our Parishioners. A chosen representative of these signers also sent this petition and resolution to His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah, to the Legal Counsel of the Archdiocese and to the Legal Counsel of the Metropolis. The petitioners are requesting a Special General Assembly to act on the specific resolution.

His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah has mailed the Clergy and the Parish Council of our Parish his response to the petition and resolution, which we have enclosed. His Eminence has denied the request for a special General Assembly and has corrected actions that the General Assemblies have voted upon in the past which are in conflict with the "Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America".

The Parish Council recognizes the right of "at least ten percent (10%) of the Parishioners in good standing of the Parish "to submit a written petition requesting" that a Parish Assembly be called for the purpose of conducting business that is properly considered under the Uniform Parish Regulations and Parish By-Laws. The Parish Council remains willing to convene a properly petitioned Parish Assembly to consider any resolution that is in conformity with the Uniform Parish Regulations and the Parish By-Laws.

In the Lord's Service,

The Clergy and Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Church Of Greater Salt Lake

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

LETTER FROM OUR ESTEEMED METROPOLITAN


GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF DENVER
July 23, 2010

Reverend Matthew Gilbert, Proistamenos
Reverend Michael Kouremetis, Proistamenos
The Esteemed Parish Council
Holy Trinity Cathedral/Prophet Elias Church
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
279 South 300 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Beloved in the Lord,

I am in receipt of a petition from the Salt Lake City area which has been signed by a number of households from the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake. From the signatures I see, I notice that there are four and five from the same household. I also notice that there are duplicate signatures of persons who have signed at least twice. I presume that all those from the same household are contributing members of the community.

Be that as it may, allow me to respond to the Exhibit "A" Resolution. I see that there are nine "Whereas" paragraphs:

1 "Whereas" is consistent with the Uniform Parish Regulations;

2 "Whereas" is consistent with the Uniform Parish Regulations;

3 "Whereas" is not consistent with the Uniform Parish Regulations. The resolution mentions an auxiliary bishop who purportedly relaxed the Uniform Parish Regulations. The fact of the matter is that, once the Ecumenical Patriarchate approves the Uniform Parish Regulations, no one has the right to relax any part of them, not even the Archbishop. Moreover, Article 15, Section 1 states, "Locally, the Parish is headed by a canonically ordained and duly appointed Priest. The assignment of such appointed Priest shall bind the Parish to the Archdiocesan Regulations and the Uniform Parish Regulations with the same force and effect as if the same were formally approved and adopted by the Parish." In addition, under Article 34, Section 1, we read, "The Parish Council shall be the custodian of all parish funds." Also, under Article 16, Section 1, "Parish property shall beheld andused bythe Parish... "

4 "Whereas" is not consistent with the Uniform Parish Regulations because the responsibility of raising and administering funds is the responsibility of the Parish Council, for which purpose the general membership voted for it to assume such responsibility. This "Whereas" takes away the responsibility of a properly-elected parish council.

5. "Whereas" is not consistent with the Uniform Parish Regulations, in that it usurps the responsibility of the Parish Council which was elected for the upkeep of the parish

6. “Whereas” is contrary to the Uniform Parish Regulations, in that it recognizes a separate body of individuals who usurp the authority of a properly-elected parish council.

7. "Whereas" is contrary to the Uniform Parish Regulations in that it ignores the existence of a canonically and legally elected parish council with the establishment of two secular entities not responsible to that council.

8. "Whereas" raises the question, "To whom has the aforementioned family given its gift? Was it to the church for tax-exempt purposes or to another entity that has no tax-exemption status"

9. "Whereas" mentions the funds given to the HCF, rather than to the Greek Orthodox Community of Greater Salt Lake. This has nothing to do with the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Consequently, the "BE IT RESOLVED" (1) is in total contradiction to the Uniform Parish Regulations because no parish assembly can contravene the Uniform Parish Regulations, not even the Archbishop.

Also, FURTHER RESOLVED (2), no parish assembly can move parish money out of the church treasury and give it to a secular body to do exactly what the Parish Council is responsible for doing, thus usurping the authority of the Parish Council regarding funds and property.

To continue, FURTHER RESOLVED (3), a parish assembly cannot support an entity which is separate from the parish because a parish assembly meets only to decide on parish issues as spelled out by the Uniform Parish Regulations. A parish assembly has no business meeting in order to consider an entity which is not officially a part of the community and the Parish Council.

And, finally, FURTHER RESOLVED (4) is totally in contradiction of the Uniform Parish Regulations in giving authority to two individuals who have not been elected as current members of the Parish Council, as previously noted.

Consequently, the request for the convening of a parish general assembly on the issues of Exhibit "A" RESOLUTION cannot be honored. General assemblies are held onlv to conduct the business of a parish, and they take place under the authority of the Parish Council, which represents the members of the parish who are faithful to the teachings of the Church.

Finally, as a hierarchical Church, which has come down to us from the days of the holy Apostles, we adhere to the canonical teachings which mean that no members of a given parish may go contrary to the administrative principles of our hierarchical structure, in order to organize separate entities which are separate from the body of our one, holy, and undivided Church. Specifically, "The Parish shall furthermore abide by the decisions of the Clergy-Laity Congresses, irrespective of whether it was represented thereat, the administrative determinations of the Archdiocesan Council, and such interim legislation as may be adopted between Congresses by the Archdiocesan Council (Article 15, Section 7)."

I believe that more than enough has been said to verify that there can be no general assembly held to decide issues which have nothing to do with matters which are not in harmony with the teachings of the Church, and with the Uniform Parish Regulations of our Archdiocese, which govern the administration of our parishes throughout the Archdiocese, without exceptions and contradictions.

With Paternal Blessings,

/s/

+ Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver

Christian Love???

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

There is a parish nearby that received the two attached letters.

Such eloquence!!! Is there any doubt in any reader’s mind that Johnny, Jack and Chivas were co-authors of these συχαμένα letters.

These are letters that are written by a Hierarch of our faith that exude love, compassion, understanding of current economic conditions, etc.

The Denver Metropolitan will be known for his grasp of the issues and his expeditious way of dealing with them in a Christian way. He will also be known as being capable of destroying Greek Orthodox parishes single handedly and from within.

Have a nice time reading this drivel, poppycock, and claptrap.

Nick

P.S. I cannot wait to receive a copy of his letter to us as prefaced by our own Fr. Michael. It should also be a work of art.

Nick J. Colessides
Voice: 801/521-4441
Fax: 801/521-4452
Email: nick@nickjcolessides.com

BREAKING NEWS: The Letter We're About to Receive

Apparently, the Proistamenoi and Parish Council are about to send us this letter, assuming no further revisions and on official letterhead. (Click here to see the draft version not as yet on letterhead.) The text of this letter (below) also provides is a chilling description of what the Metropolitan has in store for us. (His letter is not as yet included). Read what's to come and weep - yet again.

July 27, 2010


Dear Parishioners,

On July 20, 2010 the Parish Council and the Clergy received a signed petition and a resolution. This resolution was copied and mailed to His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah, to the Legal Counsel of the Archdiocese and to the Legal Counsel of the Metropolis by a chosen representative of the signers. The petition is requesting a special general assembly to act on the specific resolution.

His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah has mailed the Clergy and the Parish Council of our Parish his response to the petition and resolution, which we have enclosed. He has denied the request for a General Assembly and has corrected actions that the General Assemblies have voted upon in the past which are in conflict with the “Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America”. The Parish Council will take corrective measures to correct these anomalies so that we, as a Parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, are in correct order with the Archdiocese.

In the Lord’s Service,


The Clergy and Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Church
Of Greater Salt Lake

MODERATOR'S COMMENTS:

This community does not DESERVE such treatment from its clergy. It is high time we were able to check out some better-qualified candidates as our priests. Is it really too much to ask for priests

• who actually have some people skills;
• who might not have splitting this community and slandering long-standing stewards on their agenda;
• who do not prevaricate;
• who honor the honest needs and expressed will of the community;
• who work with all the members of the parish instead of their favored few;
• who foster and insist upon honest and transparent administrative practices;
• who put the Church before themselves;
• who love BOTH churches and honor all members in our community.

Oh, and while we're at it, how about having some parish council members who don't think they have "get into heaven FREE" cards, and who don't hyperventilate if the clergy look at them cross-wise while mentioning the "divinely inspired" UPRs, along with uncited canon law? How about parish council members who stick up for their church and community? Remember? The same community their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents built, first for the greater glory of the Lord, and then for us, their posterity!

A Follow-Up Regarding "Twisted Logic"

After conducting a bit of our own research into ecclesiastical law, we would like to offer a bit of follow-up to our previous blog article regarding "Ongoing Threats and Twisted Logic".

Not to attempt to argue, nor correct Metropolitan Isaiah about the use of the term “titular” Bishop, it is noteworthy that the 1964 Articles and Uniform Parish Bylaws, contain on page 3 the following references to “Bishop.”

On page 3 in the English version the term “Bishop,” “Archdiocesan District Bishop” “Bishop of the Archdiocesan District,” and “District Bishop” appear; the designations are used interchangeably.

In the Greek language there is only one designation that of “Βοηθού Επισκόπου”.

Except for the Archbishop, ALL Bishops in the United States of America WERE AND STILL ARE “Auxiliary Bishops” or “Βοηθοί Επίσκοποι” administratively, and “titular” Bishops ecclesiastically. The designation of a Metropolitan does not elevate an auxiliary Bishop to an Archbishop, unless he is a fully titled “Bishop;” not an auxiliary, nor a titular. When an Auxiliary Bishop is designated as a Metropolitan, he no longer uses the name of the City he had represented, and the position is deemed “widowed.”

Metropolitan Isaiah should not try to hoodwink his flock with his eloquence.

ONGOING THREATS AND TWISTED LOGIC

[Moderator's note: the excerpts in green italic font are taken verbatim from Metropolitan Isaiah's most recent letter, dated July 1, 2010 to this community.]

After going through a massive number of letters and comments regarding the abnormal and uncanonical situation which continues to exist in the community, and which will soon be resolved in the preservation of the Holy Canons and the Uniform Parish Regulations of our Archdiocese in the United States of America, please allow me to object to those individuals who have repeatedly taken the name of His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Olympos in ways, I am totally convinced, which are totally disrespectful to his reposing soul.

Yet more threats? Was it not the Metropolitan who promised to honor, albeit grudgingly, the "split survey vote" (87% AGAINST splitting the community) in his letter to this community, December 6, 2007?

The title of the deceased bishop reflects the fact that he was a titular bishop with no administrative authority. When a bishop has the title of a non-existent city, this indicates that he has no authority of his own and always responds to the wishes of his superiors. When Bishop Demetrios was located in Los Angeles, California, he served the ecclesiastical needs of the parishes. He never had any administrative responsibilities.

According to this tortured logic, bishops whose titles have included names of cities no longer in modern existence, have no administrative authority. This is utterly disingenuous. If we were to believe this, then it surely follows that His Eminence, who in 2002 was still Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisos (an ancient city in his title) had no administrative authority to disband a properly elected Parish Council in September 2002 in this city. Presumably, this would hold true with any and all other "administrative" actions he might have taken, while still Metropolitan of a no-longer existent church entity?

Bishop Demetrios had an ancient city affixed to his title; this has not been uncommon then or now. Nevertheless, he was the presiding hierarch of the Greek Archdiocese, Western States District, to which our church belonged at that time. If, in fact Bishop Demetrios had "no authority of his own" and always had to respond "to the wishes of his superiors...", then clearly he must have consulted those superiors in order to go ahead and send those letters under his signature. To say that Bishop Demetrios, eternal be his memory, had no administrative responsibilities or authority when he was our presiding bishop is to impugn his honor and his memory, and implies that he was a liar and a fraud by sending those letters and signing them! And it is not WE who have implied it!

Finally, when I was assigned as the assistant priest at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Salt Lake City in March 1962, under Father Steven Katsaris, who could not wait to leave the parish quickly enough, it was Archbishop Iakovos who assigned me, and not Bishop Demetrios.

There was only ONE Greek Orthodox church in this valley at that time. No one who was around then seems to recall anyone treating then-Father Isaiah so badly as to cause such rancor on his part. Further, nearly all parishioners in our memory held Father Katsaris in high esteem. Frankly, both the negative second-hand assertion about Fr. Katsaris and the fact of the Metropolitan's first assignment as a new priest are not relevant. It is simply clear that the Metropolitan, along with the Proistamenos-of-Prophet-Elias-only, holds our Cathedral campus and parishioners who mainly attend there, in great disdain. Inexplicably, the Metropolitan cannot resist demonstrating his contempt, both in how, and to where, he addresses his increasingly vitriolic missives. How sad and how unseemly.

May our loving God forgive those individuals who have been attempting to besmirch the name of my brother in the Lord, Bishop Demetrios, who was kind enough to do the funeral of my father in California. May these individuals be forgiven by our Lord Jesus Christ, and may the soul of Bishop Demetrios continue to rest in peace.

Interestingly, the Metropolitan fails to mention that Bishop Demetrios also ordained him to the priesthood in 1962 - a rather curious omission. Regardless, the only reason Bishop Demetrios might not be resting in peace is the assertion that he lacked any authority to affix his name to the letters he signed and sent to this community in 1964. That assertion was made by Metropolitan Isaiah, and NOT by anyone who holds the unity of this community dear.

Inexplicable Correspondence!

The latest letter from the Metropolitan, sent first class by the proistameno of Prophet Elias only, is both surprising and baffling. (Why are we still waiting for the last letter from the Metropolitan a portion of which was read at the last general assembly?) Surprising because it lacks the venom of his previous letters and baffling because I have no clue why it was sent. The letter implies that unseemly things have been written about the late Bishop of Olympos, Demetrios and have come to the attention of the Metropolitan of Denver.

I believe that the proistameno of Prophet Elias only, in his efforts to (mis)inform the Metropolitan about the happenings in this community, has yet again done a masterful job of providing this (mis)information resulting in the above letter which is very baffling. No one has spoken ill of the late Bishop of Olympos, Demetrios. Only the letters written at the time he was responsible for the "Greek Archdiocese Western States District" have been disseminated.

Your Eminence, all correspondence between this community in 1964 and the late Bishop of Olympos, Demetrios clearly shows he is "responding to the wishes of his superiors."
The proistameno of Prophet Elias only, in his quest to take control of money that was raised for specific purposes, has provided this (mis)informaton forcing Your Eminence to write a letter which makes absolutely no sense. As has been stated, no one has "besmirched" the name of the late Bishop of Olympos, Demetrios. Reading your letter, I believe that you have been badly misinformed.

Yannis Armaou

P.S. Your Eminence, as you state in your letter, you served at Holy Trinity which was the only church in Salt Lake City at the time. It is now a Cathedral.....
Clearly the existence of two Proistamenoi is only on paper. The proistameno of Prophet Elias only dictates (I believe even to you) what happens in our community.

WATCH THIS SPACE: The Ongoing Cost of Lost Opportunities

Our grandparents did GREAT things for our Church and Community from 1905 onward, and managed to create a THRIVING community even during the GREAT DEPRESSION. What can our current leadership claim as accomplishments?

Each day, from here forward, we will list an "action item" that COULD have been possible, had we not had the backward-thinking few, including backward-thinking clergy, engaged in OBSTRUCTING the efforts of many VISIONARIES in our community.

It is indeed TRAGIC to consider what, in this past decade, we might have accomplished:

1. Upgrades to provide safe, well-appointed Sunday School facilities at Holy Trinity
2. Repairs to mitigate water problems in basement Sunday School rooms at Prophet Elias
3. The Anthony G. Skedros Memorial Gymnasium
4. New rooms to facilitate the teaching of the Greek language
5. Repair and renovation of the Prophet Elias dome
6. A Hellenic Cultural Museum honoring our great-grandparents, grandparents, parents and OURSELVES (for heaven's sake!) along with providing our children and grandchildren with an ongoing reminder of their wonderful heritage!
7. An opportunity to purchase a valuable piece of downtown property which has since DOUBLED in value.

Many of these, along with others, might have been possible, might have been in the works. We might today be well on our way to having two updated, beautiful church campuses that would be a springboard to further the work of Christ in this valley, this region, this country.

Metropolitan Isaiah in 2005 said, "... every Greek Orthodox parish is owned by the general membership. This means that in the matter of revenues and property, the general membership makes all the decisions." In 2006 the general members His Eminence referred to VOTED by a 72% margin to go forward as a community with the Hellenic Community Foundation. The MINORITY prevailed upon the Metropolitan to stall this effort despite his own words and despite that vote. In 2009 the "go-ahead" was finally given. And now these same people seek once again to strangle this effort and to stagnate this community. We must not let that happen.

Action Required! - Looking Back to Move Forward

On November 15, 2005, Metropolitan Isaiah mailed a letter to the Parish. The complete letter can be viewed by clicking here. Metropolitan Isaiah stated in the last full paragraph of the first page the following:

First and foremost it must be stressed that every Greek Orthodox parish is owned by the general membership. ... This means that in the matter of revenues and property, the general membership makes all the decisions. (Emphasis added).

We urge all parishioners to sign a Petition calling for a Special General Assembly in order to implement Metropolitan Isaiah’s directive and move our community forward.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

/s/

Nick J. Colessides

Note: the Petition and all information materials may also be accessed on its separate blog page by clicking here.

A "Lesson" for All of Us???

In the latest Messenger, which one cannot find, at this date, online, we are asked to consider the following "...lesson for all of us."

We sin if we reckon that we owe it to our kinsfolk to hate those whom they hate. Such a hate infects us like a a hereditary disease. Adopting the loves of our kinsmen, we also adopt their hatreds. Even great spiritual giants were sometimes given to this weakness. Patriarch Theophilus could not bear Saint John Chrysostom, and remained his bitterest opponent to the end of his days. Saint Cyril, his kinsman and heir on the Alexandrian throne, inherited his hatred for Saint John and carried it himself for a long time. Saint Isidore of Pelusium exhorted Cyril in vain to change his mind about St. John Chrysostom and inscribe him in the Diptych of Saints, but Cyril was unable to overcome his ill-will. Then the Most Holy Mother of God, for whose honor and glory Saint Cyril had fought so fiercely against Nestorius, appeared to him in a vision, surrounded by angels and accompanied by Saint John Chrysostom in great glory, and the Most Pure Mother of God begged Saint John Chrysostom to forgive Cyril and embrace him. This vision completely reversed Cyril's attitude to Chrysostom, and he repented with shame that he had so hated him, doing his utmost for the rest of his life to glorify Saint John as a great saint of God.

--- Saint Nikolai Velimirovic

We submit that before our clergy in the latest Messenger ask us to consider this lesson, they themselves ought to consider it. Both Fr. Michael and Fr. Matthew have expressed a desire to live/retire here as our spiritual leaders, presumably, but also as members of our community. One would hardly know it.

Fr. Michael, in particular, has expressed an absolute disdain regarding Holy Trinity and the many parishioners in our greater community who mainly attend our original church, Holy Trinity - the CATHEDRAL in this city. Further, considering his attitude toward those who, a) have taken exception to his years-long UNWILLINGNESS to RARELY even set foot in the Cathedral, except when asked to perform services there (for which he undoubtedly receives "tychera" in addition to a handsome salary), and, b) his general disdain for those who still consider Holy Trinity, ALONG WITH PROPHET ELIAS (since it was the "spousal" extension when the community grew of Holy Trinity) their spiritual home we say the following:

First, this lesson needs to be espoused FIRST, by YOU, Fr. Michael, and please, while you are at it, ask Fr. Matthew to take it to heart as well, BEFORE you deem it necessary to remind your flock of its larger lessons. The Biblical exhortation of "physician, heal thyself!" comes directly to mind.

Second, while we, for generations now, may at times have some mild-to-intemperate differences of opinion among ourselves, we GENERALLY, do NOT adopt the notion that we have HATED those who our kinsfolk hate, or conversely, have indiscriminately LOVED, those who our kinsfolk might love.

Most of us have become educated enough, ENLIGHTENED enough, SECURE enough, to make decisions based on our faith, our experience, and our education and our God-given intelligence. And, despite any differences among us, we still LOVE and RESPECT each other.

These differences we have may or may not always be aligned with those of our current kinsfolk, and probably not always, as seems to be the case, with the mindset of today's clergy who perversely enough seem to wish to control all our thoughts and actions in order to "deem us worthy" for Christ's Kingdom. We know Christ is above such pettiness. As St. Nikolai's passage indicates, even our most revered and renowned clergy were sometimes guilty of the all-too-human frailty of finding fault, even with those considered among the most revered saints of our faith.

We would submit that those who sought to put forth this "lesson", which was undoubtedly aimed at those of us who might find fault with the all-too-evident failings our current leadership, take this lesson to heart THEMSELVES FIRST, before PRESUMING to ask others to consider it.

- The Moderators

Spring General Assembly.

A sad occurrence in the history of our Community

It is indeed a sad event what those of us who were allowed to participate and those who were not, saw unfolding on the premises of Prophet Elias. We were supposed to meet and expedite the usual business of our community, but before the meeting even began we started arguing about who was eligible to vote or not, resulting in angry conversations between board members and parishioners.

Of significance, however, during the Assembly, was the report given by our Internal Auditors on the financial status and business practices of our community, especially after several years of inactivity of any auditing committee.

The report was a masterpiece of unbelievable reality of mishandling and mismanaging proportions of the various funds and accounts of both church offices and for a great period of time. The Auditing Committee gave credit where credit was due, but by majority found fault to just about all facets of the community’s finances. For example, no one expected to read about the co-mingling of funds, the allowance of the clergy to write checks and foremost, to have the Church pay Internal Revenue Service the sum of almost $15,000.00 for negligence.

These and other findings in the Auditor’ Report are very serious in nature and substance and a recommendation should be made to the Board to incorporate it with the next Messenger so that the whole membership of our community take note and prepare itself to come to the Fall General Assembly ready to ask any relevant questions.

The correction(s) will take considerable time and those of us who were in attendance, and foremost, the members of the Auditing Committee, will be eager and anxious to find out when the Fall General Assembly convenes, if their labor of so many hours became a great benefit to our Community or a loss of their valuable time.

Sakis Sakellariou

Nick Colessides Comments on Yesterday's General Assembly

Dear Parishioners,

As one of the participants in yesterday’s General Assembly, I would like to express my personal thanks and gratitude to the following:

To Christina Gamvroulas for her most insightful comments about the total lack of integrity and leadership of the two Proistamenoi. It is worth saying it again to both of them: NTROPI, NTROPI.

To the Audit Team. A magnificent performance, by a group of high level professionals, showing what transparency should mean in our Parish.

To the Chairman of the General Assembly who allowed everybody to speak and did not use the old ploy of “out of order” used by past chairmen. Thank you for allowing us all to participate equally.

Best regards,

Nick J. Colessides

P. S. If you think it appropriate please free to disseminate to others. (Click here for the link to this post.)

Ignoring the UPRs at its Best!

Less than half of our community received the agenda for the upcoming general assembly which included the "new rules" regarding who is and who is not considered a member in good standing. The below is taken from the upcoming Sunday bulletin and was included in the mailing of the general assembly agenda.

SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY HELD TODAY

Please note that the SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY of our parish will be held TODAY at 3pm at Prophet Elias. Only committed stewards (Orthodox) who are current on their pledge through first quarter 2010 or those who made donations in first quarter 2010 will be allowed to participate in the General Assembly. Those speaking can assist in maintaining the decorum of the General Assembly and by limiting their comments to two minutes. In addition, in an effort to make sure everyone has an opportunity to speak, individuals who have spoken to the assembly on specific issues will be allowed to speak on the same subject only after everyone who wishes to speak has done so. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. (Emphasis added)

Our local leaders, who pride themselves on following the Uniform Parish Regulations, have in this instance (again) made up these rules which are contrary to that which they so desperately try to hold on to. Below is the actual Uniform Parish Regulation addressing membership in good standing:

ARTICLE 31
http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/documents

PARISH ASSEMBLY

Section 1: A Parish Assembly may be convened for matters other than those involving canonical and dogmatic issues. The Parish Assembly is the general meeting of the Parishioners in good standing of the Parish and is the general policymaking and appropriating body of the Parish.
Section 2: Notice of a Parish Assembly shall be mailed to all Parishioners in good standing at least ten (10) days prior to the Assembly and shall include the agenda. The agenda shall be prepared by the Priest and the Parish Council and shall include all items to be discussed at the Assembly.

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. If a Parishioner is delinquent for more than the current calendar year, he or she may vote at the Parish Assembly only after that parishioner has met the unfulfilled stewardship financial obligations at least thirty (30) days before the Parish Assembly. (Emphasis added)

We urge everyone to attend the general assembly and demand from the proistamenoi and the parish council to show the documents contradicting the Uniform Parish Regulations regarding membership. It is a shame that these proistamenoi and the hand picked parish council resort to these underhanded tactics in an attempt to keep members of our community from fully participating in the life of THEIR CHURCH.

Now he wants WHAT?

Several years ago our community began raising funds for the renovation of our Holy Trinity Cathedral through the Hellenic Heritage Campaign. In addition to renovating our Holy Trinity Cathedral, several projects were included relating to the Holy Trinity campus. The then parish council was instructed by the general assembly how these funds were to be administered.

In the 8 years the proistameno of Prophet Elias only has been here, there has never been an attempt to access these funds outside their specific purpose. That all has changed beginning with the "Skedros" funds. These funds were raised for a specific purpose and should remain where they are so the project can be completed.

As such, the following letter is being sent to Metropolitan Isaiah:

Yannis Armaou
2751 Highland Dr.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

May 26, 2010

Via fax: 303/333-7796
Original via mail

His Grace Bishop Isaiah
Metropolitan of Denver
4550 East Alameda Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80246-1208

Invocation of Article 35 of the Uniform Parish Bylaws
Addendum B

Request is hereby made by and the undersigned do hereby request the application of the dispute resolution process prescribed by Article 35, Addendum B, of the Uniform Parish Bylaws, the “UPRs” hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Addendum,”

The undersigned are parishioners as the term is defined under the terms of the Addendum.

A dispute has arisen as it relates to the control and appropriation of certain funds, the “funds” held by the custodian of said funds National Financial Services. The funds were collected for the specific purpose of creating and financing the Cathedral Campus construction of Sunday School rooms, and other community wide improvements as more particularly set forth in the Cathedral’s master plan. The master plan was originally created by Chris Kamanges, AIA, and the local firm of architects Stransky et. al. The funds were generated and raised by the Hellenic Heritage Campaign Committee, the “Committee.” The Committee was established solely by express authority of the General Assembly.

The Parish Council has demanded that the funds be under the exclusive control of the Parish Council. The Parish Council position and demand for control of the money, and the use of the money for use as the operational expenses of the Parish is contrary to the UPRs, and the express position espoused by Metropolitan Isaiah.

The undersigned verily believe that the funds belong exclusively under the jurisdiction of, and may be expended by, and are controlled by, and appropriated by the General Assembly, George Metos, and Manoli Sargetakis, two of the three signatories to the account as the account is now established and administered at National Financial Services. The undersigned wish to participate in the dispute resolution both personally and by counsel of their choice.

Relief requested: The undersigned request that the funds remain in the custody of the Bapis Group, subject only to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Parish General Assembly, and also subject to the here signatory requirement, as directed by the General Assembly.

The undersigned believe that the best way to resolve the dispute is to invoke the provisions of Article 35 and the Addendum, and its appellate processes. Please note and apply the provisions relating to conflicts of interest.

Dated this 25th day of May, 2010.

/s/

Yannis Armaou

cc: Rev Fr. Michael Kouremetis, via fax: 801/424-1296
Rev Fr. Matthew Gilbert, via fax: 801/328-9688
Mr. Jim Mylonakis, President, via fax: 801/328-9688
Mr. Michael Petrogeorge, Esq., Secretary, via fax: 801/328-9688
Mr. Andrew Kornreich, President, Director HighTower, via fax: 773/326-0994

(handwritten post-script added, as follows:)

UPRs have never been followed since Fr. Kouremetis came to SLC.
The Parish Council is hand-picked to serve his agenda!
Leave the money where it is!
Nick Bapis has done so much for this community.

Still waiting.........

Seven weeks ago (on Holy Friday) the proistameno of Prophet Elias only was feverishly scampering to mail the letter which was the cause of a chain reaction of letters leaving several beloved members of our community wondering as to their ecclesiastical status. The last of this chain of letters was explained to the parish council by the proistameno of Prophet Elias only at their recent meeting. In this instance, there was no feverish scampering by the proistameno of Prophet Elias only to mail THIS letter from the Metropolitan to the community.

As we have read, the Metropolitan's first letter of April 16, 2010 was harsh in tone even saying to these members, "From the standpoint of the Church, this is outright robbery. " After listening to more than one side, the Metropolitan, to his credit, changed his position.

Some questions remain unanswered:

• Why hasn't the proistameno of Prophet Elias only and the parish council mailed this letter to the concerned parties and to the community?
• Why wasn't the same urgency exercised with this letter as the one of Good Friday?
• Why is the proistameno of Prophet Elias only holding tight to this letter?
• Do the contents of this letter conflict with the agenda of the proistameno of Prophet Elias only?
• Is the proistameno of Prophet Elias only stalling to convince the Metropolitan to change the decision to fit his agenda?
• Why have the people initially accused not been contacted regarding their ecclesiastical status?
• Is there a fear that this latest letter exposes our assigned clergy to the community?

Answers and accountability from our assigned clergy and parish council certainly IS EXPECTED.

ΗΓΓΙΚΕΝ Η ΩΡΑ