Well this doesn’t look good. Ordinarily, attorneys general like to stay out of internal church conflicts, especially if the church is reliably in the liberal camp.
So the underlying rot must stink to high heaven.
It’s doubtful at this point whether the St Nicholas Shrine will ever get completed. Or whether the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese will survive as presently constituted.
So who will take over the shrine? Well, it does look somewhat Islamic. Question: were the various controversies that beset the GOA orchestrated behind the scenes?
Moral of the story? Don’t believe all the recent the happy talk put out by 79th Street.
Grand Jury and Attorney General Investigating St. Nicholas WTC and Archdiocese
Source: The National Herald
By Theodoros Kalmoukos March 31, 2018
BOSTON – On Friday March 30, a Grand Jury was formed to investigate the subject of the finances of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center.
The New York State Attorney General will also undertake an investigation of the Archdiocese finances.
The aforementioned Authorities have already informed the Archdiocese and have subpoenaed all documents and information in printed and electronic form, including e-mails and text messages, and everything related to these two cases.
On March 31, the Legal Committee of the Archdiocese, chaired by Mrs. Kathy Walsh, held an extraordinary teleconference and discussed the issue. The video conference was also attended by Mr. Tsandikos.
Two lawyers have already been recruited, one for the Church of Saint Nicholas, and the other for the finances of the Archdiocese and Mr. Dimitriou.
I actually didn’t want to publish this today. Instead, I wanted to publish my comments on Paul the Apostle, the recently released movie which I saw Friday night. Plus, it’s Palm Sunday and I’m trying to switch into a more spiritual mode. Unfortunately, last night around 7:30, I got some feverish phone calls from some of my contacts wherein I was told that things were heading south for 79th Street fast. I therefore felt that I had to get this information out pronto.
As for the movie, go see it. Immediately. It’s not only good on its own merits but it will strengthen your faith. Which, if you are in the GOA right now, I’d say you’re going to need it. If nothing else, the stark contrast that is presented on the screen between the Church in Rome and the fancy-pants metropolitans and archons you read about in The National Herald will have you yearn for the days of a cleansing persecution.
I’m afraid that God’s judgment upon the GOA is now irreversible as I don’t see any repentance coming out of Corporate HQ.
It is so rich that the NY State Attorney General Schneiderman took this action on 1st day of Passover and Good Friday. The archdiocesan clergy and laity ought to be at the Greek Consulate in NYC Monday AM making sure that their Greek passports are in order. Extradition back to the US will take years. Also, with white collar lawyers running $ 600-1000 an hour (blended rate) and there being at least a half-dozen of them needed just pre-trial, pre-plea bargain legal representation–where is the $4 to 6 million in legal fees coming from? They’ll now be forced to sell, not borrow against, 8-10 East 79th. All of this is so richly deserved and this type of rule of law and justice could never have been served up in Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, or Russia where the legal systems are for sale to the highest bidder. GOD BLESS AMERICA! A SELF-GOVERNING US CHURCH NOW!
(((interesting)))
Regarding George’s comments on the movie about St Paul, I’ve noticed recently a little run, in all mediums, of Christian friendly material. As far as I can tell from all my years of ‘trend watching’, this is odd. Doubtless, the vast majority of attention paid to Christianity remains hostile, but still there’s this added element. It makes me wonder.
Is anyone else seeing this? And if they are, what do they make of it?
Yeah, I noticed last night that NBC did a reprise of Jesus Christ Superstar, seemingly out of nowhere. I think Alice Cooper and John Legend were in it
George, you think Jesus Christ Superstar is a positive reference? You do realize that it was taken from Kanantzakas heretical story, right. Main theme: Jesus is a human being nothing more. There’s nothing positive about.
Even before I was a Christian the presentation of Christ troubled me.
Please give me a reference to something positive.
I’m grasping at straws Michael as far as this culture is concerned. Like a man who is hanging off a cliff grasping to clumps of grass.
George, you will grasp in vain. There is nothing in this culture on a macro basis that is redeemable. Our culture was founded on heresy, loves heresy and propagates heretical and apostate thought. We do not repent, we get even. Let’s hear it for the Red, White and Blue!.
If Jesus Christ is mentioned in public, the reflex of the culture is to mock, defame, misrepresent or hide. Talk about throwing pearls before swine. That is why I do not hold out any hope for so-called “evangelism” efforts. Our culture is innoculated by ignorance to not listen.
Particular people can always be redeemed. There are many pious people but theologically most are ignorant at best. Even on really basic stuff that kindergarten kids can know and comprehend.
Bad theology kills. Why would any person with a genuine heart accept most of what is peddled out there as Christian since it is largely unloving, mean, just plain stupid, requires nothing it is obviously corrupt..
Many Orthodox reject the teachings of the Church because change is required. Non-Orthodox turn away from the Church because change is required. It takes quite a bit to even mentally accept the tripod of basic Christian practice: Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength; love your neighbor as yourself.
Do this and you will live.
We want to parse, analyze, critique, and get our heads around it, abstracting Him which sanitizes the truth and makes it lifeless.
The unhuman ideological constructs of politics, religion, entertainment, news and war are too important for such small responses. We have to CHANGE THE WORLD! While we refuse to touch or even acknowledge the existence of the actual people nearest us.
The young Mr. Hogg is a simlulacrum of Hitler because he is the canon fodder for the Ubermenschen. The real disciples of Nietzche that out culture teaches us to honor and obey: power, will and pleasure. He will be torn asunder and discarded–left to die alone. That makes me weep.
It is vanity, shame and fear, not hope that places any goodness in our culture.
I, like Adam, stand outside and sorrow for what I have lost and can do nothing. I cannot even watch an hour while my savior approaches His Passion yet again.
“Make radiant the garment of my soul, Oh giver of Light, and save me!”
“There is nothing in this culture on a macro basis that is redeemable.”
What about baseball?
It doesn’t get more macro and purely American than that
At opening day for Angels last night at the 7th we were asked to sing God Bless America, before take me out to the ball game. You could hear the crowd singing along and it was moving. There is something still good and redeeming in America and baseball the past time of this country has it.
Baseball is baseball. It does not need to be redeemed. Something should be done about the prices of ballpark food (even in Kansas City a bucket of popcorn is $9.) Still, it is the one sport that has genuine tradition. Every home run hitter will always be compared to Babe Ruth even though his home run records have been surpassed. Still what took sophisticated weight training and, often, illegal drugs, the Babe did on hot dogs and beer.
Wilt Chamberlin would be lucky to get on the floor in todays basketball because he could not shoot the “3” Bill Russell would play minor minutes for the same reason.
OR John Carlin:
Sooner or later though even baseball will be caught up in the “army of steamrollers” that is American “culture”. Stratcast and Advanced Metrics threaten the sport not to mention all of the constant blaring of commercials and videos at ball games and TVs reduction of the game to the pitcher-batter duel.
Only one player in pro baseball “took a knee” last year. He did it for one game, he was a marginal player with a marginal team and, as far as I know, he does not have job this year.
Of course that is likely due to the fact that many baseball players are not US citizens. They come from third world countries. They actually still appreciate the opportunity to be here. One of the best Afro-American MLB players, Adam Jones, is famous for saying baseball is a “White man’s game.” He could just as easily said it is an old White man’s game.
The college baseball teams have very, very few black players. In part that is due the fact that there are no full ride scholarships for college baseball players.
How many big men consistently take the 3 point shot? Wilt didn’t need to take the outside shot because not many could stop his inside play. As for Russell, the best defensive player to come down the pike. It would be interesting to see Russell defend against LeBron James.
Alitheia, Since Russell was 6′ 10′ which today is considered a small forward, lots. Durant, Portzingas, the Greek Freek, Dirk Nowitsky. That is just off the top of my head. Simmons for Philly is not a 3 shooter yet, but he is being encouraged to learn and develop one.
The big man on Wichita State this year one 6’9″ and 270 pounds shot threes regularly. Why? So they would look better for the pros.
Russell would find a way to adapt but he would not be the big time player he was.
Wilt? In another class entirely physically. His high post passing late in his career was incredible.
MB
Point being, you can’t disparage everything about the American culture. You are over-generalizing
Besides, there may be some “redeemable” qualities in the American culture, perhaps many, but we are not trying to redeem a culture. Americans are what is redeemable
If God can redeem Russians from extreme atheism, God can redeem Americans from extreme hedonism
BJS, “over generalizing” is a bit of a redundancy but I get your point. I am addressing those who want the Orthodox Church to become an important part of the American scene with hospitals, schools, etc. in an effort to transform the country. The transformation of the American Culture is not going to happen. It will fall apart and we, by the grace of God, may be able to pick up the pieces. Even the Roman Catholic Church is having difficulty maintaining their hospitals and their schools are anything but Christian.
While Russia has a centuries long history of an Orthodox culture as a foundation. America has a couple of centuries of a revolutionary/moralistic/secular/nihilist culture. Not a lot there to work with and build from as many Orthodox missionaries have done in the past. That is especially true since we are becoming increasingly anti-traditional and ideological.
You are spot on when you point to the personal quality of redemption. It is not ‘individual’ but it is deeply personal and intimate. Holy Week services emphasize that over and over especially coming on the heels of the grand event of Palm Sunday. God can redeem any person. It is the community of redeemed persons who build a redeemed culture. One does not start from the top down.
Want to change America, repent, give alms with a merciful heart to those near you, give glory to God in prayer and in the sacraments.
BTW whether or not Russia has been saved from atheism is still an open question in my mind.
Mr. Bauman,
Now, I must criticise you for criticising the legendary Bill Russell. How can you say anything against the greatest winner in all of professional sports? Bill Russell is the greatest athlete to ever live. Period! The man was absolutely relentless. The most valuable player of the NBA finals receives the Bill Russell Award. Bill won at every level he ever played. He led his high school team to winning the state championship. His team won the college basketball championship. When he became a pro, he made the Celtics instant champions. Eight straight NBA championships and eleven in thirteen years. With him, the Celtics became the greatest dynasty in the history of team sports He would be the greatest player in every era, and is the greatest of all time. Bill Russell stands alone as the greatest champion the world has ever seen. You know baseball, but you don’t know Bill, and until you know Bill, you really don’t know anything.
Not criticizing him at all. I am commenting on the difference between basketball and baseball. Babe Ruth played 100 years ago and yet he could arguably step in and be a force in today’s game. He is still a bench mark with his records.
Bill Russell played 50 years ago yet, despite his skills and incredible legacy, he has little place in today’s pro basketball. His records and style of play irrelevant. He would be a minor minutes type of player today ’cause he couldn’t shoot or defend the three.
Pro basketball is glorified street ball. They run down the court get a little way over half court and let loose. The Toronto Raptors became a championship contender by forcing players to shoot threes. They penalized any mid-range shot taken in practice. Now there is experimentation going on with a four point shot.
Either that or showboat on a wide open slam dunk. It is all about “the brand”. To make matters worse every NBA player and coach is now an instant political pundit and policy wonk for liberal causes. Dennis Rodman is an expert diplomat and policy expert on North Korea for instance.
Makes me want to bring back Latrell Spreewell and make him HHS Secretary.
The NBA is a joke-a bad circus. It does not deserve Bill Russell.
Mr. Bauman,
In your opinion, who is the greatest hockey player of all time?
I’m personally beginning to wonder whether we’re starting to see the beginnings of a real push from the WCC super-church to recruit converts. As I see it playing out in my head, there’s the ecumenists working steadily to modernise Christianity more and more and then there’s their propaganda reintroducing the idea to society that Christianity is OK again.
At some stage these two arms meet in the centre when those seeing Jesus Christ Superstar, Mary Magdalene or The Greatest Story Ever Told also get wind of a ‘church’ that no longer believes in ‘all that stuff’ it used to, but to the contrary, is (and was always meant to be) the original call to power for the people.
I’m yet to see the movie about St Paul, so I can’t say whether it’d appeal to prospective super-churchers or not, but whatever happens I’ll continue to watch this trend to see if there’s anything to it.
I would speculate the reason why the NY AG is getting involved is because of the high profile location of the St. Nicholas shrine and because of commitments for the completion of the shrine made by the Archdiocese to the NYC Port Authority.
Most importantly, the Archdiocese doesn’t even own the property the shrine is being built on. That property is actually leased from the Port Authority. By signing a lease, the Archdiocese has put themselves out on a limb.
The irony is that it took the NYC Port Authority forever themselves to make any noticeable redevelopment on the WTC site after 9/11. For example, the Cortland Street subway stop at the site, also designed by the same architect as the shrine, still isn’t open and isn’t expected to open until October this year. Having been blamed for so many years of zero progress on the site, the Port Authority is probably eager to point the finger finally at someone else.
Happy Easter!
April Fool
It’s Palm Sunday
Here’s a link to a hopeful article that will shed some positive light and will help explain why all the bad news is truly being embellished:
https://www.monomakhos.com/a-boatload-more-trouble-for-east-79th-and-the-goa-administration/
A happy Easter to all today
Let us join hands with the Pope and pray that God would grant us a planet wide alien invasion unto a tremendous harvest of little green souls
George, your story needs to be said. Thanks for this update. And your review of Paul the Apostle will be uplifting!
Happy Easter!
April Fool
It’s Palm Sunday
Here’s a link to an article that will explain that the problems that are facing the GOA really aren’t that bad:
https://www.monomakhos.com/a-boatload-more-trouble-for-east-79th-and-the-goa-administration/
It’s truly become almost too painful to read anymore stories about our church leaders both laity and clergy. Regardless of what jurisdiction any of us are in, this is a Orthodox church in a very bad place. We should all care, not snicker, that the Greeks deserve what they got. Not that most are, but I feel most Orthodox blog and site surfers looking for the next clergy gotcha moment get the fill with the GOA.
I will confess. I found some satisfaction witnessing bishops could be more sinful than I. After all if they are so sinful, I can’t be too bad myself. Right? I am a fool. Not only a fool but twice the sinner, they are, for delighting in their sin.
At this point anymore words how mad and disgusted I might be, makes no difference. I am depressed, of course, how can I not be?
But what I really feel like is a child who has lost control of my drug addicted father. My choices are limited.
I can support his drug addiction, and pray for the best.
I can doing nothing and wait for him to die.
Or I can manage to have him arrested and come clean thru prison rehab, and follow up programs keeping out of prisons, if he remains clean.
Basically at some point outside intervention is all that’s left, and starting all over, the only option. The Current GOA leadership cannot reconize rock bottom, so what are we to do, without scandalizing ourselves as well?
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Amen Johannes, and Kalo Pascha to all, I pray all our prayers are answered.
Good morning friends:
I’d like to comment on George’s lead-in on this thread and his April Fool’s reply to himself.
Early on he starts to tell us something quite true (but so obvious among legal professionals it is nothing more than a very average truism). They do indeed like to stay out of internal church conflicts.
But George’s “Us v. Them” narrative (and chosen role therein) prompts him to go well past that truism with the concluding clause “especially if the church is reliably in the liberal camp.”
On what possible basis is George qualified to make this remark? His professional status as an Oklahoma pharmacist? The opinions of any scholar? An academic study of how the political proclivities of Attorneys General affect their allocation of money and investigative resources in church cases based on the perceived political stance of its leaders? Which study establishes that liberal AGs let their politics influence them but conservatives don’t?”
If you were to ask me to guess if politics will affect an AG decision to investigate or prosecute *in a close case* I ‘d say it wouldn’t surprise me one bit. But in fairness I would want to say that it wouldn’t surprise me in either political direction.
And let’s not fail to focus on the actual factual value of the news itself. Investigations only, not any single fact probative of anyone’s guilt, let alone a prosecution, let alone still more, any guilty plea or conviction. Were it the latter, one could see how the news couldn’t wait till after a Great Feast, or even until after two Great Feasts and the week between them.
Feeling the need to justify himself for this slanted rush to print, George offers a pretty lame excuse. “Things were heading south for 79th St. fast…”
No they weren’t. He heard that investigations were in the works. Had it involved search warrants and storm trooper raids during Western Easter, or evidence of feverish case-building over the long holiday weekend, I’d concede that heading south *fast* was indeed correct and newsworthy. But George has reported no fact remotely resembling an immediate and rapid southward course. He just wanted to be “firstest with the mostest.”
When we are supposed to be frequently repeating the Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim about focus on our own sins and not judging our brother, George tells us he is “afraid that God’s judgment upon the GOA is now irreversible…” He is clearly correct ….that he has that fear. Hopefully not correct that God has so decided.
Is George telling us Saint Ephraim’s Prayer has no relevance because he doesn’t see the GOA as brethren? And if he doesn’t, can we see traces of Automakhos, the Church fighting itself, in the rush to print at this special season? “The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels,” the Book of Proverbs tells us, “and they go down into the innermost parts.”
At the end George exhorts us not to believe all the “happy talk” put out by the GOA. I agree that we should be cautious about it. There are troubling portents. But just as cautious about his compulsion to distract us from the culmination of Lent with “unhappy talk.”
Fr. George
Fr, you’re right. I’m not a lawyer. But I am a Greek-American and it doesn’t take a Perry Mason to see that all the happy talk we hear is credible.
George – with respect – I think you totally overlooked Father George’s point…and it was a very good point indeed.
Mr Osborne, I apologize in that I did not give Fr George’s observations the respect that it deserved. Even though we disagree on certain issues, I do know that he’s a stand-up kind of guy and I respect that.
After tomorrow, I will “go dark” as I usually do and concentrate even more on my prayer life.
George
I hope you do go dark and spend some time self-reflecting over the next few days. This is despicable.
“Don’t believe all the happy talk”
??
How dare you write such tripe
When I read this, I shot beer out my nose and almost choked on a piece of steak
Anaxios
Bishop of Batman
Duly chastened, Your unGrace!
BTW, Your unGrace, would you please expound on the history of your diocese?
GM
I don’t have a diocese
I am the Bishop [titular] of Batman
Batman, Turkey
I serve in the Diaspora Orthodox Church of America (DOA). I have also served in the Orthodox Church Diaspora (OCD). I tend to go back and forth between juristictions.
Both juristictions claim Batman. I’m not quite sure who I am representing at the moment. Perhaps both
However, it should be noted that due to recognition of the Turkish reality, by claiming Batman, we do not encroach on the titular jurisdiction of the Bishop of Krateia – of “Asia Minor.”
Forgive me, Your unGrace, but being as this is Holy Week, I pray that your steak was rare and your beer only 3.2% alcoholic.
GM
That would make this Holy Tuesday
That makes no sense at all because I still have some leftover ham from Easter
Fr. George Washburn,
As a general note I would say that your attempt to parse, analyze, and question George’s explicit post (and the “between the lines” bias, motivation, etc.) is, at best a C- attempt, and that is being generous. I recommend you come at your blog participation from a different angle if you want to carry any influence. Free advice an all that, but really, weak.
Second, what’s your hang-up? If you don’t like where George is at spiritually, why make it personal? Are you his spiritual advisor?
Third, even when you do stick with the facts, your wrong. For example, it is widely known that in excess of 90% (some say as high as 99%) of grand juries end in an indictment. It is really just a pro forma step. The rate of conviction and plea are also almost as high.
As far as your spiritual recommendation to focus on lent, no doubt good advice. That said, the Church “in the world” (i.e. as a worldly institution) is real, its increasing suffering from secularization is real, and its generally comprised attempts to be “Christ and Culture” is real. This blog explicit purpose is to focus on these things. Other blogs (e.g. Fr. Stephen Freeman’s excellent blog over at Ancient Faith) focus on other things. Perhaps you would be better served by one of those?
Christopher
Father George asks: “On what possible basis is George qualified to make this remark?”
When Father George suggests that our George is limited in what he can bring to the table, he’s either woefully ignorant of “all things George” or he is being disingenuous.
Father, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt so let me tell you about George: George is a long time veteran of the GOA. While there, he served as the President of his Parish Council and led them in the completion of various building projects. – George loves building things, apparently. How do I know? Because he left the GOA and built a CHURCH in the hope of being able to attract more converts. He didn’t just lease space in a strip mall somewhere: He and his partner built a full-on, wooden parish with domes, crosses, icons, etc. It started out as a mission and is now a parish in the OCA.
When it comes to understanding how new parishes are funded and built, I would argue that George is UNIQUELY qualified to comment on the subject. Couple this with his many years of experience IN the GOA (40 + years) and with his many connections TO the GOA, I cannot think of anyone who is MORE qualified than George to comment on what’s happening at the St. Nicholas Shrine, doctorate of Pharmacy, notwithstanding.
With regard to “focusing on the actual factual value of the news itself,” let’s take a look at the veracity of some of the things you said, Father:
1. “George offers a pretty lame excuse. ‘Things were heading south for 79th St. fast…’ No they weren’t. He heard that investigation were in the works.” – You are not privy to George’s conversations so you cannot know what he has heard or has not heard. He may be telling us only part of a story that has yet to play out.
2. George said that “liberal AGs let their politics influence them, conservatives don’t.” – George made no mention of conservatives. What he said was: “Ordinarily, attorneys general like to stay out of internal church conflicts, especially if the church is reliably in the liberal camp.” What he is saying is absolutely true. Attorney Generals DO avoid churches in the “reliably liberal camp.” They tend to target fundamentalist churches, like the Branch Davidians and the FLDS Church. If they go after the GOA you can bet on a few things: (1) they KNOW what happened, (2) they KNOW it’s a crime, (3) they KNOW they will be able to prove it and (4) it’s too big to ignore.
George Michalopulos doesn’t have the POWER to disturb Lent for you or anyone else, Father. I am surprised that you mentioned the “Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim about focus on our own sins and not judging our brother” after writing several paragraphs pointing out what you perceive to be George’s multiple sins. I wish I could say this was an isolated incident, but it isn’t. You have been an unrelenting adversary where he is concerned. Apparently, even Lent doesn’t stop you. In contrast, George hasn’t said a single word against you.
* * *
George, I’m going by memory here so if I have inadvertently miscommunicated anything about you, please feel free to correct me.
Gail, I thought long and hard about printing your reply to Fr George. I was up early and read your comment and thought about not publishing it at all. Why? because some may feel that in doing so, I was being prideful. So I waited until I said my prayers and had my morning coffee. Having said that, I must assure everybody that I publish Gail’s apologia with a queasy spirit as my beloved mother taught us to never draw attention to ourselves. But in order to not confuse or scandalize people, your recitation –while it does make me feel uncomfortable–does set the record straight. I am not now, nor have I ever been, against the GOA. If anything, my critiques have arisen because of a lack of evangelism which now, is painfully obvious as the GOA undergoes a criminal investigation.
To all: please, do not think that I am a prideful man. I am most certainly not –not anymore. I can assure you that Gail’s words are not swelling my head, if anything, I am more convinced than ever that I did nothing alone. Her list of my lay-ecclesiastical career may appear lengthy and consequential but I must assure everyone reading these words that I gave no thought to them as they were being accomplished. Whatever I did (whether good, bad or indifferent) I went about doing because they seemed like a good idea at the time. More importantly, I am humbled, mainly because I now see that I did not do anything alone. I feel that I (and those with me) were guided by the Holy Spirit.
Truthfully, as I approach my sixties, I can honestly say that in looking back on my life, I’ve more or less Forrest Gumped my way to this point, not taking heed of what I was doing but blithely going along. And I haven’t stopped. That goes for this blog as well. I had no way of knowing that it would become one of the premier electronic samizdata publications in the Orthoblogosphere.
Lord knows I’ve made mistakes along the way, even when things turned out for the best (and for that, I thank the Lord for pulling my chestnuts out of the fire).
Regardless, I must thank Gail for her kind words (even if they do make me feel queasy). And of course, I thank each and every one of you for your participation in this blog.
” I had no way of knowing that it would become one of the premier electronic samizdata publications in the Orthoblogosphere.”
The “us vs. them” – the institutional good & party line vs. the “average” layperson, believer, and/or the simple truth – presumption is part of the reality of the Church “in the world”. Some, such as Fr. Stephen Freeman and our own Fr. George Washburn believe that more harm than good is done by blogs such as this one, and that in any case the central praxis of Christianity is such that we are not really supposed to be focusing on these things.
They are right, except when they are wrong.
Also, it is not a coincident that they are “party men”, part of the hierarchy of this catholic (i.e. “universal”) big tent imperial Church. Their “job” is to be part of a process that saves souls, and if certain unpleasant truths are passed over in the process than so be it. I respect them for it, but I also note that they set themselves up as being against the truth (and we all know the truth will set us free), even if much of the time they only appear to do so. I also note the irony of their (spiritual) criticisms. In the end it IS better if we all stick together so to speak (i.e as His Body) but we have to be careful of the delusions of the company men/attitude…
George,
In my humble opinion, you were right in posting Gail’s answer to Father Washburn. Your accomplishments through the Holy Spirit are awe inspiring indeed. You are surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and God has allowed you to produce much fruit. That;s a blessing and a wonderful example for the rest of us.
Father Washburn: May I repeat some wise advice I heard at one time? Never criticise someone who is doing more for God than you are.
Costa, you are very kind. Still, I felt more than a little reticence. In looking back, I realize that I did nothing on my own. Whatever positive things I’ve accomplished in work, family, friends, church, have only been because I somehow managed to empty myself to myself. Whenever I did the opposite, I behaved like a total jackass and the closer I get to the end, it’s those acts of jackassery that occupy my thoughts the most. The only thing that mitigates their sting is the precious love I feel for certain individuals who have graced my life.
Constantinos, we do not know who is doing “more for God” do we? (John 21:22). Certainly I could not make such a decision between Father George and George M. God alone knows. I find them both to be honest men of principal. I tend to agree more with George M than with Father George and find many of Father George’s criticisms of George M a bit strange, but that is probably because of my own arrogance and bias.
I have met neither man. I certainly can not know which of them has done more for God. Although I tend to think that a priest who hears one person’s honest confession and grants absolution has done a heck of a lot, not to mention the serving of the Divine Liturgy, burying people, interceding in prayer for them, etc.
My family and I were received into the Church by the one of the most dysfunctional priests I have ever known. Yet, in the instructional meetings we had prior to being received, he brought me to an Orthodox appreciation for the Holy Spirit and the Bible that will always be with me.
Still, he was a basket case; absolutely certain he was going to hell (he told me that directly). He was a morose, weak, unhappy and dyspeptic man who probably should not have been ordained.
After receiving us, his subsequent actions while a member of his parish hurt me, my son and my late wife deeply and disrupted the parish. We were hurt so deeply and placed wrongly in opposition to the parish itself, we had to transfer to another parish.
Had there not been another Orthodox parish in town, I do not know what would have happened to us. But there was. Eventually he left the priesthood and the Church. After a brief stint as a Byzantine Catholic mission priest here in Wichita, he stole funds from that parish and left his wife and child also.
Still, I think he has done more for God than I ever will and despite my hurt, I do pray that God forgives him and heals him ( I do not pray enough). I have not yet gotten to the point of thanking God for him but by God’s grace that may come to pass.
Did you perhaps point your gun at yourself? If you did, don’t shoot.
The older I get, the more I appreciate the comment of Fr. Seraphim Rose–“Don’t argue.”
I am most unworthy.
George, ain’t we all.
I have to agree with you there George. Truer words have never been spoken.(just playing with you)
Mr. Bauman,
I think my favorite posts of yours are when you take me to task. You tell me I’m a jerk in such a kind way. Thank you for chastening me. (By the way, I’m serious)
Sir, you are not a jerk. At least no more than I. Passing strange to me sometimes but I am a bit limited in my experience being primarily a Kansas boy who loves the Flint Hills where you can see for miles without any man made interference (even though I inhabit the city). When we are not in drought, the Flint Hills glisten with a blue green dew on spring mornings and allow for a deep and abiding peace. The few people who live there work very hard. I have always felt it would be a great place for an Orthodox monastery. The American Thebaid in fact.
Despite the lack of humans (out numbered by cattle frequently during the feeding seasons), it pulses with life that can make you feel drunk if you let go of your modern conceits.
The 19th century Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls (no longer in official use) in the midst of the Hills is a beautiful three story stone edifice. A monument to the importance of law in the middle of a vast, nearly empty land. Virgin prairie since a plow has never broken the ground there surrounds it. I suspect the Japanese who come to see it are dumbfounded by the space.
The pioneers who traversed the land on the way to Oregon back in the day sometimes went crazy due to the giant bluestem grass that grew over 6 feet high and was like an ocean without any land visible, waving and undulating in the wind. Not many stands of the grass are that high any more, but it is still there.
One jerk to another, I would love to break bread with you here and introduce you to the heartland a little if you have a few days some time.
Mr. Bauman,
That’s a great, very interesting post on your part. Let us remember a man who did more for God than all of us combined. That man is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was assassinated fifty years ago yesterday. Not only was he a great man of God, but he was one of the greatest men in world history. How I wish he was still with us! I can’t tell you how much I miss his prophetic voice.
What do we have now? We have a racist, bigoted President and a failed Congress. I will always be grateful to Donald J. Trump for destroying the Bush and Clinton dynasties, but this country sorely needs great men like MLK.
Look at this web site, instead of greatness, we have clown posters like the disgraceful, loathsome Misha running around calling everyone heretics and saying men should beat their wives. Don’t get me wrong, I admire George, but some of what is displayed here is Orthodoxy at its worst. We have discussions about toll houses when the world is going to hell, and, yet, no one seems to care. We get Orthodox supremacy when the world needs to hear the gospel of our Lord and Savior
preached. We Orthodox Christians strain at gnats while we swallow camels.
Costa, how do you say that Trump is “a racist”? Do you know what’s in his heart? As a NY businessman, he was lauded and feted by black eminences like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Now mind you, I think both men are charlatans but that’s beside the point.
As for MLK, he may be a saint standing before the throne of the Triune God in heaven as I write these words. But he was also an adulterer, an orgiast, a plagiarist (his doctoral dissertation was bogus), a heretic of unitarian Christological views and a misogynist (he beat his mistress the night before his assassination). Does it not strike you passing strange that the left castigate the President for his zipper problem but willfully overlooks all of MLK’s manifest faults?
George,
I’m in a bad mood today. I’ve got a lot on my mind right now. Sorry.
Not a prob! You’ll be in my prayers tonight.
Constanios,
MLK, like most great men, definitely had feet of clay. May God save us from ‘Great Men’. They often destroy more than they create or build and leave unfulfilled and unfulfillable expectations behind. In MLK’s case, his utopian ideal of race harmony has left us even more shattered in many ways than before especially when folks attempt to institutionalize that utopian ideal in government.
When I talk with my good friends and brothers who are Afro-American, the deep shame and futility they feel these days is hard to take. They are without any real roots and must work very hard to find them and even harder to find a place where they can grow. Eventually, the only place they will have to turn is the Orthodox Church, but man have we got a lot of work to do.
The solution does not rest in much of anything MLK and few of his so-called followers have a clue. The solution is to recognize, as he did early in his adventure, that racial division is a sin. It harms all of us equally in different ways because we are equally human. Repentance at the feet of Christ is the only way to healing. The rest of his legacy has been corrupted and turned into ideological lies and I am being polite.
Misha is correct in this: The prevailing Christian persuasion in this country is heretical at best, much of it has become apostate. Unfortunately, it has vaccinated many to actually hearing the truth of the Gospel at all. Everyone thinks they know it. When combined with the prevailing cultural drug of egalitarianism deafness rules. The usual type of ‘evangelism’ is seldom going to work especially since most of what is attempted is based on a Protestant model IMO.
The only things that I can imagine cutting through that fog are Fools-For- Christ and martyrs. However, if we each of us personally in our communities loved God and each other with all of our hearts, people will see (if they have eyes to see).
Misha’s views on women are simply wrong and he has been told that frequently here. Still, he is our brother and deserves our love don’t you think? (see above).
Orthodoxy is a unique brew. We have always been contentious with each other starting with St. Paul and St. Peter. It seems to be an integral part of the freedom that the Church allows. Freedom in a fallen world is messy. Most folks do not like it. Most folks want their truth to come in a consistent and uniform package that is easy to understand and assimilate.
However, that belies the testimony of the Holy Scripture, most notably St. Paul who demands that the teachings of Christ be followed with out exception BUT when that is not possible, when we inevitably fall and fail, we are to go boldly before the throne of grace.
The Orthodox Church lives in the “BUT”, on both sides of the “BUT” at one and the same time. We are a living body built on antinomies and seeming paradox. How else does one live with the scandalous and impossible notion that God became man–fully God and fully man without mixture or confusion.
Further, He died on the Cross and rose from the dead on the third day trampling down death by death and remains fully God and fully man to this day in an incredibly intimate union of love.
Foolish, crazy, impossible. Totally unscientific. Not even rational. A stumbling block. How much nicer to just “accept Him as our personal Lord and savior”; believe in the Pope as His Vicar; or in nothing at all. Such belief requires nothing. No change, no challenge, no facing our sins or our shame or bearing the burdens of our brothers and sisters.
Always messy.
We Orthodox do not try (when we are in our right minds) to clear away the messiness. However the other Christian institutions expend most of their energy trying to be neat. The two opposing solutions to the messiness are just as messy though but in different ways and they try to hide it.
Protestants just go start a new ‘church’ somewhere or accommodate with the world. All in a neat, tidy way.
RCs invest nearly everything in the person of the Pope, no matter who he is or what he believes, to avoid the appearance of messiness. The messiness there has, until recently, been behind closed doors but it is no better than us, probably worse.
The pressure to accommodate with the mind of the world is intense. It is difficult to counter the pressure without getting messy. It takes enormous faith and holiness to find the peace in the midst of the mess.
As for our President, what can one expect in a society that values will and hedonism most of all. What can one expect when the institutionalized hypocrisy that our faux Republic has become begins to outwardly crumble from the long standing corruption within–dead men’s bones white washed to look pretty. Trump has shed the white wash. There may be enough activity in the decapitated chicken to mess things up a bit. Knock down a few false idols.
Who knows.
In the mean time, know that Jesus Christ has triumphed over all and calls us to life, not to continue to play in the desiccated grave yards of wealth and power.
Mr. Bauman,
In my opinion, this is one of your finest posts.
Costa, welcome to the club! Michael’s insights are often profound. They (along with everybody else who posts and/or reads on this site) are the reason I keep this going.
I have to confess to some unkind thoughts about immigrants. As you know, there are some caravans heading to the southern border of the US from Central Honduras. These are my problems: These people are heading to the US uninvited. That’s like showing up at someone’s house uninvited. These people are supposedly escaping violence in their country. Well, isn’t the US a violent country? Many of these people are economic refugees which means they expect welfare. The US has the third highest population in the world. There are 327,000,000 people living here. How many more do we need? I hate urban sprawl, cities, concrete jungles, and incessant house building. I have a 668 acre second home with a river that runs on the periphery of my property. It’s all wooded; I won’t cut one tree down. There are all kinds of animals on my property; being an animal lover, I never kill any of them. There’s nothing I like better than to ride one of my horses around my heavily wooded property, or take my dog for a long walk in the woods. I wish the same for all nature loving people. My main home is a large log house with 52 acres of beautiful woods. All this crap makes me feel guilty. Why should I feel guilty? I busted my hump to live this way.
We have to save our environment by having a moratorium on all immigration for the next several years. The US population is too high. I feel like I’m sinning by thinking this way. But that’s me. That’s the way I am.
Nothing to be ashamed of Costa. We are called to be generous to a fault but prudential as well
Thank you brother. I must say further that I totally reject both the Great Man theory of history ala Carlyle and Nietzche and the equally false historical determinism of Spencer and Marx.
Both are big elements in the ideology wars we face today. Interestingly enough on both sides.
To the extent that MLK did any good thing, it was the result of God’s providence. God’s provision for us and His mercy.
I fear MLK was consumed and corrupted both personally and his ideas by the ‘movement’. There are those who pain faux icons of such ideological leaders. I have seen one of Dr. King.
May God forgive him, and me for the evil in my heart of those who are different or those who fail to follow my desires and will. I am nothing,
Below please find a “Letter to the Editor” in today’s The National Herald by Thomas Bletsas of Brooklyn, NY.
Letter to the Editor: Opinion of the Church in America
April 2, 2018
https://www.thenationalherald.com/195950/letter-to-the-editor-opinion-of-the-church-in-america/
Below please find an article from today in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which was posted on the Eastern Orthodox Christian News website.
Leader Seeks Holy Week Forgiveness for Betrayed Greek Orthodox Church in Wisconsin
KAREN HERZOG
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
Updated 12 hours ago
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2018/04/02/leader-seeks-holy-week-forgiveness-betrayed-greek-orthodox-church-wisconsin/473012002/?from=new-cookie
Below please find an article from today on the Pappas Post website. Included in the article is a video of His Eminence Nathanael’s homily to the community of the Annunciation.
New Metropolitan Speaks of Betrayal, Forgiveness at Parish Bilked by Former Priest
written by Gregory Pappas
April 3, 2018
http://www.pappaspost.com/new-metropolitan-speaks-of-betrayal-forgiveness-at-parish-bilked-by-former-priest/
Forgive and forget–mostly forget and move on.
This is what happens when a hierarchal church becomes insular and secretive in its higher levels and the very elites who supposedly exist to help the Archdiocese, are for the most part sycophants who toady to it instead of offering truth and constructive criticism. Many of them are still making sad excuses for the Archdiocese for this man-made tragedy.
How many big men consistently take the 3 point shot? Wilt didn’t need to take the outside shot because not many could stop his inside play. As for Russell, the best defensive player to come down the pike. It would be interesting to see Russell defend against LeBron James.
Below please find an interview from Monday, March 27th with His Eminence Nathanael of Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times.
https://youtu.be/Q-XhUpWewoc
Below please find an article from today in The National Herald.
Archdiocese Issues Press Release on Investigation Disputing “Portions” of The National Herald Report
By TNH Staff April 4, 2018
https://www.thenationalherald.com/196224/archdiocese-issues-announcement-about-finances-investigations/
Below please find an article from March 31st, by Mr. George Matsoukas, Executive Director of OCL, on their website.
Musings of the Executive Director on the Enthronement of Metropolitan Nathanael
BY WEBMASTER ON MARCH 31, 2018
GOVERNANCE & UNITY ESSAYS,
GOVERNANCE & UNITY NEWS
http://ocl.org/musings-of-the-executive-director-on-the-enthronement-of-metropolitan-nathanael/
Below please find the official press release of Tuesday, April 3rd, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website.
Message from the Archdiocese
Stavros Papagermanos/Press Office pressoffice@goarch.org
April 3, 2018
https://www.goarch.org/-/2018-04-03-message
Constaninos: Although I do not follow hockey much at all growing up I was a casual fan of the Chicago Black Hawks. I have always been partial to Bobby Hull. Since I lived for awhile in Boston, Bobby Orr was on my radar and from my time in Detroit, Gordie Howe. Still, it is probably quite difficult to ignore Wayne Gretzke or Sid Crosby.
I have no opinion as to their relative merits and have no idea of any other current player other than Crosby.
We do have a minor league hockey team here in Wichita, the Wichita Thunder. Without doubt the most popular player they ever have had is Jason Duda. I have heard him on a local sports radio show and he seems to be a neat guy. He was a “Crash” Davis kind of player.
However my absolute, all time, hockey favorite is Scott Foster. He is the Chicago accountant who is a avid amateur hockey goalie. The Blackhawks have him and a few other such guys at all of their home games in case either team needs an emergency goalie.
The other night, he got the call for the Blackhawks (not a contender this year) against the playoff bound Winnipeg Jets. He made seven saves during his time in net, did not allow any goals and the Blackhawks won.
Long live Scott Foster.
Below please find an article from today in The National Herald.
United States Attorney Investigates St. Nicholas, Archdiocese; Archbishop Disputes “Portions” of TNH Report
By Theodoros Kalmoukos
April 5, 2018
https://www.thenationalherald.com/196224/archdiocese-issues-announcement-about-finances-investigations/
The national herald has an update: https://www.thenationalherald.com/196224/archdiocese-issues-announcement-about-finances-investigations/
Below please find an article from today in The National Herald.
Archdiocese 2018 Budget Approved by the Executive Committee
By TNH Staff – April 7, 2018
https://www.thenationalherald.com/196402/archdiocese-2018-budget-approved/
Christ is Risen! I would like to wish my brothers and sisters in Christ a Holy and Blessed Pascha.
Below please find an article from today in The National Herald. Be sure to take note of the comments section below the article. Especially the one from Steve.
Drastic Reduction of the 2018 Archdiocesan Budget
By Theodoros Kalmoukos
April 8, 2018
https://www.thenationalherald.com/196402/archdiocese-2018-budget-approved/
Christ is risen!
As someone who was born into the GOA and was involved with it for a while, and then since leaving it has been an interested observer now for a couple of decades, I’d say that its Achilles heel is its refusal and unwillingness to voluntarily “bear a little shame.” All Christians must (at some point) voluntarily bear shame similar to what Christ suffered on the Cross. I am not talking about toxic shame, or the shame that other people (usually stronger people) toxically force on weaker people. Toxic shame is always evil and demonic and must be fought.
But healthy shame that must be borne voluntarily by all Christians, in order for us to suffer as Christ did, to bear the shame as he did.
The GOA has always (instead) been so prideful — insisting that it is the “Orthodox leader in America (and everywhere else)” (not true), building monstrosities of buildings that it cannot afford, not living within its means, et cetera. It has bought into wholeheartedly trying to “outdo the Joneses next door,” as if this is what will make people be attracted to it. No, folks are attracted by the humility of St John of San Francisco, by the wonderworking of St Nektarios, by the immigrant populations from decades ago who had nothing and built churches themselves without construction companies or mortgages.
Contrast the GOA’s refusal to bear shame with some of the other Orthodox “jurisdictions” in America, all of which have borne (and continue to bear!) their own shame, like it or not. The OCA, with its financial shenanigans and also ridiculed for decades in the 20th century for being “on its own.” ROCOR, bearing much shame as Russians fleeing the communist persecutions found themselves in new lands with nothing (and in displaced persons camps throughout Europe) and needed others to help. The Serbian and Romanian jurisdictions in America, which suffered splits related to communism through the 20th century, and the Romanians bore their own shame with issues relating to Archbp Valerian (Trifa). The Albanian church, which didn’t even exist in Albania (it existed only in America) for much of the 20th century. The Antiochians, bearing shame with their own jurisdictional split in the 20th century and then the Ben Lomond tragedy in the late 1990s.
These Orthodox jurisdictions did not voluntarily choose much of the shame that came on them, but they bore it steadfastly and earnestly, trusting in Christ, who healed much of it with prayer, time, and patience.
I could be totally off base, and I very well may be, but it seems that the GOA refuses to bear shame — instead it tries to hide it — and thus does not fully experience Christ. It is tantamount to saying to Christ, “We got this, we don’t need you.”
Despite what Hollywood tells us, Americans searching for Truth are not attracted by extravagance and brand sparkly new monstrosities of buildings that organizations cannot afford. Those searching are attracted by people who suffer and who learn how to suffer with Christ, Who shines through them.
My thoughts, for what they are worth — probably nothing!
Christ is risen!
Truly He is Risen! Excellent point, Also Greatly Saddened.
AGS, thank you for the insight. Although I think you give we Antiocheans too much credit. Here in Wichita, the Toledo-NY split which occurred long before I was received into the Church had one parish with Toledo and one with NY. I have been a parishioner in both.
Even after the official union, there existed animosity between the two parishes. Within the structure of the archdiocese it persisted subliminally IMO until eight years ago when the current priest was assigned to the parish. Before the current priest, they got the less desirable graduates from the seminary or ones already known to be troubled or having difficulties. There was even one priest who was assigned who shortly thereafter was divorced by his wife. It was widely known that his marriage was in trouble at the time of his assignment. Meanwhile the other parish which was always with NY and is older (100 this year vs 88 years old) has former priests who became bishops (including our current bishop, his grace Bishop Basil.)
The current priest at the NY parish has been there for over 23 years. During the same time the old Toledo parish has had six priest, one of whom was an interim pastor, three of whom left under some type of cloud while the forth transferred to the OCA. All of that under Met. Philip and Bishop Antoun.
The current priest at the old Toledo parish seems to be a solid young man and a good priest. He and the parish fit well in a healthy way. The parish is finally growing and has a distinct personality and way of expressing itself in the community.
I do believe that healing is finally coming to the Toledo-NY schism but it does not have much to do with us bearing shame, IMO. The animosity between the two local parishes (after 56 years) has lessened primarily because enough people have died so that it is not important any more and we have a local bishop who is not too shabby.
Time will tell what happens under Met. Joseph.
Christ Is Risen!
It would appear the Mr. Bauman has succumbed to to the Michaelopulos trash-talk-itis virus. I cannot believe that either Saidna Basil or Father Paul would approve of his latest post here.
While I only lived in Wichita sporadically and not for many years, I have known parishioners of St. Mary’s parish for nigh on 40 years. I was given a very different, and not quite so political, explanation for the formation of the two Wichita parishes.
As I was told, the founders of the two parishes originated in different towns in Lebanon. St. Mary’s founders were from the mountain village of Ain Arab, while the founders of St. George parish were city people from Marjayoun. I was told that those two peoples even spoke different dialects of Arabic. Once I was regaled with a lengthy list of commonplace things (mostly foods) that had completely different names at St. Mary’s than they had at St. George.
Mr. Bauman’s implication of rivalry is overblown. When St George’s parish decided to move to the east side, there were serious discussions of merging the parishes. As I recall, the St. Mary’s parishioner stayed in the old neighborhood in order to continue to serve the western side of Wichita. Also, St. Mary’s is ideally located of the interstate and Kellogg. When I used to drive to Wichita from Ponca City, it was a full 15 minutes less driving time to St. Mary’s than it was to the Cathedral.
As for Mr. Bauman’s critique of St. Mary’s prior pastors, I don’t suppose it has occurred to him that it might actually be more difficult to serve in a smaller parish for a lesser salary, and always play “second fiddle”. Should he therefore wonder that difficult circumstances might be more stressful?
You know our immigrant forebears came to this country and experienced many trials and challenges. I think for the most part, they did the best they could under the circumstances given them. Monday morning quarterbacks always know better, don’t they?
I sometimes think I’ve lived too long. I’ve seen and experienced horrible clerical abuse, and I’ve seen priests and their families terribly abused and humiliated. Both sins are horrific and sad. Far too sad for idle commentary by self-appointed know it alls
Francis, what I lived through was quite different. I am glad to is not always that bad. Difference of timing and perspective. What I saw, I saw and experienced. What I wrote was faithful to my experience and with no animosity. If I am wrong, I would be glad. Nevertheless, there was genuine animosity and distance between the two parishes. It has gotten much better.
Plus Francis, if you really think what I wrote was so bad, please contact Fr Paul and I will be glad to post whatever correction he deems appropriate. I would appreciate it.
Perhaps with view to saying money the GOC in America could pull the plug on it’s harmonium and organ playing banality . That should bring them in a pretty penny.
And they have spread their poison to Albania and Korea Sadly.
The harmonium was taken out of our local GO church about 30 years ago. Do they still have them some places? (Notwithstanding I’m a convert member of the local GOA, I’ve only been to services in a couple of other GOA churches– they did not have them.)
Below please find an article from Saturday in the New York Post.
Feds probe $80M construction scandal at church wrecked on 9/11
By Melissa Klein
April 7, 2018 | 6:02pm | Updated
https://nypost.com/2018/04/07/feds-probe-80m-construction-scandal-at-church-wrecked-on-9-11/
For those who may have an interest, there is an article in the March-April edition of the Orthodox Observer on pages 10, 11 and 14, which can be accessed via the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website.
Metropolis News
Financial Crises Explained at D.A.D. Clergy-Laity Assembly
The How and Why of What Happened
It has been reported today in the “Ethnikos Kyrix” the archdiocese will be applying for a loan through Alma Bank. The amount of the loan will be anywhere from 7.5 to 10 million dollars. Unfortunately, the article is locked and doesn’t appear in its entirety. I will continue to be on the lookout for the article in its entirety and if found, I will post.
Thank you, GS.
Below please find an article from yesterday in the New York Post.
How a church destroyed on 9/11 became mired in controversy
By Melissa Klein
April 21, 2018 | 8:19pm
https://nypost.com/2018/04/21/how-a-church-destroyed-on-9-11-became-mired-in-controversy/
Below please find an article from Friday in The National Herald, which was posted in its entirety on the OCL website.
Analysis: Tragic Incompetence [GOA]
BY WEBMASTER ON APRIL 20, 2018 GOVERNANCE & UNITY ESSAYS,
GOVERNANCE & UNITY NEWS
http://ocl.org/analysis-tragic-incompetence-goa/
I don’t mean to be in any way disrespectful, but when I read that at a recent Direct Archdiocesan District Clergy-Laity held back on March 3rd, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, considers himself “poor” and “homeless.” I don’t know about you, but this really insults my intelligence.
This is the same person who refused to live in the residence of blessed memory, His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, in Rye, NY. Nor, if my memory serves me correct, was he willing to live in Cathedral Towers, next to the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral. Nor, was he willing to live at the Archdiocesan Headquarters, where of blessed memory, His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos once lived.
Time has come for this outlandish high lifestyle of these hierarchs to come to an end. They decided on this vocation. If they are an icon of Our Lord and Savior, then should try to associate themselves with some humility and lead a more moderate lifestyle. These high and mighty hierarchs should try coming down off their high pedestals and as one person recently commented, should try driving themselves, rather than being driving around here and there and learn how to drink out of a styrofoam cup, just like the rest of us. That may be over simplified, but I think we all get the point being made. Perhaps then, and only then, can they better relate with the average parishioner. They seem to forget, they are neither Jesus Christ, nor royalty. They dedicated their life to Christ, not opulence!
GS,
You are certainly not being disrespectful. You are presenting reality and discussing it.
The fact of the matter is that many Greek Americans suffer terribly from emotional dysfunction do not deal well in reality. The closest analogy I can find is dealing with an alcoholic and his/her family, who become upset when you mention the alcoholism and who do all they can to enable the addiction. At the high echelons of the GOA, it seems that you have only the addicts and the codependents, who make the addicts feel better about themselves, and that’s it. They don’t want anyone else around pointing out reality.
It’s not rude or improper to juxtapose the manipulative behavior of some bishops in America with some other bishops who have shone forth in America (such as Archbp Dmitri of Dallas, who lived in a small humble building and who regularly cooked meals for his own flock; or St John of San Francisco, whose humility is well-documented; or Met. Philaret; or many others).
It is, rather, quite normal and necessary for the faithful — clergy and laity — to point out reality and to note glaring inconsistencies and scandalous behavior. If we don’t do it, who will?
How well I remember Vladika Dmitri’s hospitality. His humility did not eclipse his brilliance –it enhanced it.
Well, you are coming across as an envious “little person”
The Bishop is the icon of Christ and must be shown respect.
If the Lord came to dine at your table I’m sure you would serve Him on your finest China and crystal stemware, and please don’t give me the old ‘The Lord is so humble He wouldn’t mind”
He might not mind, but you still have to do better as He is higher than you. Yes, you are not equals!!
Unfortunately, people who do not have higher burdens of responsibility don’t understand that this is what gives status. With the title comes burden.
To he who risks, goes the glory
You see dear, important people need a driver as they have much to do, it isn’t necessarily because they just want to look out the window.
We still must honor the Office of the Bishop, even with all the problems going on.
Focus on your own sins, who are you anyway to wag your finger at the bishops?
God will give them their due as He will to all of us!!
Communism is the daughter of resentment
I’m not sure where I read that
Wishing you George a Happy and Blessed Name Day! Xronia polla kai na se xeromaste.
Thank you!
Below please find an article from Sunday in The National Herald, which was posted in its entirety on the OCL website.
Patriarch, Synod, Grills Demetrios at April 20 Meeting
BY WEBMASTER ON APRIL 22, 2018
GOVERNANCE & UNITY NEWS,
GOVERNANCE TOP STORIES
https://ocl.org/patriarch-synod-grills-demetrios-at-april-20-meeting/
Below please find an article from Monday on the Pappas Post website.
Former Archdiocesan Clergy Leader Calls on Archbishop Demetrios’ Retirement
written by Gregory Pappas – April 23, 2018
http://www.pappaspost.com/former-archdiocesan-clergy-leader-calls-on-archbishop-demetrios-retirement/
I have been in USA so have some experience. I do not know personally but I can say what drives people from Church are not atheist diatribes etc but Sex scandals that are more than just INDIVIDUAL fallen failure and financial imsulting of faithful by MONKS, ( what bishops are)with often apology of a beard etc to look good, living a high life style. No one is expecting them to live in a cave, even in Manhatten but some every day simplicity might not go amiss. The late Patrarch of Serbia and Bishop Anthony Bloom were good example of living in Christ. people are tired of words. They look to living examples..
Below please find an announcement on Thursday, April 19th, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which has been posted on OCL’s website.
Direct Archdiocesan District Announces Purchase of new site for Camp St. Paul
BY WEBMASTER ON APRIL 25, 2018
ORTHODOX NEWS,
ORTHODOX NEWS TOP STORIES
http://ocl.org/direct-archdiocesan-district-announces-purchase-of-new-site-for-camp-st-paul/
Below please find an announcement from Thursday, April 19th, on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website.
Direct Archdiocesan District Announces Purchase of new site for Camp St. Paul
Stavros Papagermanos/PressOffice,
pressoffice@goarch.org
April 19, 2018
https://www.goarch.org/-/direct-archdiocesan-district-announces-purchase-of-new-site-for-camp-st-paul
OMG…so where did this money come from? I thought the GOA was in dire financial straits. We are all being taken for fools. At least in Chicago, there is potential for more transparency, with the new Metropolitan, but other areas, it seems to be business-as-usual.
Below please find an article from Wednesday on the Greek Reporter Europe website.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Meets Turkish Leader
By Tasos Kokkinidis
Apr 25, 2018
http://eu.greekreporter.com/2018/04/25/ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-meets-turkish-leader/
Below please find an article from Thursday on the Bloomberg website.
Why Orthodox Christian Nations Remain Stuck
Their religious roots, not their Communist experience, support authoritarianism and risk aversion.
By Leonid Bershidsky
April 26, 2018, 8:36 AM EDT
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-04-26/why-orthodox-christian-nations-remain-stuck