Comments Posted By Art Samouris
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The media are full of Orthodox Christian clergy and lay “pillars” sucking up to powerful politicians, also attending events and marching for political causes. No disciplinary action is ever taken for this. Do you smell what is cooking?
» Posted By Art Samouris On August 1, 2022 @ 5:52 am
BREAKING: The Archbishop Legitimizes “Gay Marriage” Through the Back Door
Lavish partying that included the performance of a popular recording artist, statements made about the oppression of the poor homosexuals who just want to be loved and accepted like normal people, ridiculous platitudes of how the Church needs to accept everyone (including their unrepentant and ongoing sinning), the vision of Elpi the great leader, blah blah blah. No mention of bringing the two innocent children into the life of the Orthodox Church, no mention of how they will dedicate their lives to Christ, no mention of battling earthly passions, of attaining humility. Nope, none of that. Just all about themselves and their celebration of sin. The children and the altar are just props for pushing the acceptance of homosexuality in the Church. How would the two daddies dressed in white respond if one day the children tell them “today we learned how homosexuality is a sin”. Somehow I don’t think this is in the agenda of the two daddies. Lord protect these two innocent children and have mercy on us all.
https://orthochristian.com/147132.html
» Posted By Art Samouris On July 11, 2022 @ 4:58 am
The Slow Death of Greek Independence Day
Thank you so much for writing and posting this George.
I had the same experiences growing up with the Greek Independence Day costumes, poems, plays, and parades.
The EP and his minions are sadly lost but the φλόγα (flame) of the Greek Spirit is eternal.» Posted By Art Samouris On March 28, 2022 @ 9:23 am
COMMUNIQUE OF THE HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD
NEW YORK – On Thursday, September 16, 2021, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America convened a regular meeting of the Holy Eparchial Synod via video conference, in order to deliberate on significant matters that affect the Archdiocese of America.At the beginning of the meeting, the synodical hierarchs with joy were informed of today’s communique of our Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, that His All-Holiness will indeed make his previously arranged visit to America, without postponement.
Discussing the topic of the vaccination of the faithful, the hierarchs unanimously affirmed that the Church not only permits vaccinations against diseases (e.g. polio, smallpox), but that She encourages Her Faithful, after medical tests and approbations, to be vaccinated with the approved vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
In addition, although some may be exempt from the vaccination for clear medical reasons, there is no exemption in the Orthodox Church for Her faithful from any vaccination for religious reasons, including the coronavirus vaccine. For this reason, letters of exemption for the vaccination against the coronavirus for religious purposes issued by priests of the Archdiocese of America have no validity, and furthermore, no clergy are to issue such religious exemption letters for any reason.
The Holy Eparchial Synod urges the faithful to pay heed to competent medical authorities, and to avoid the false narratives utterly unfounded in science and perpetrated on the Church by those who have succumbed to the disinformation and conspiracy theories that are widely available on social media sites.
https://www.goarch.org/-/holy-eparchial-synod-ccmmunique
Lord have mercy
» Posted By Art Samouris On September 17, 2021 @ 5:24 am
Very well stated Seraphim!!!
» Posted By Art Samouris On February 12, 2021 @ 8:26 am
On Anonymity, Housekeeping & Other Things
“Orthomachoi” perhaps?
» Posted By Art Samouris On February 10, 2021 @ 5:03 pm
“That Horrible Bishop Makes Me Do It”
Hokey Smokes!!
Has this AB been reading the GOA hierarch playbook??» Posted By Art Samouris On February 3, 2021 @ 1:32 pm
Amen Fr. Bernstein!!!
» Posted By Art Samouris On January 31, 2021 @ 8:43 pm
“ o kimismenos” κοιμισμένος
Comedy gold!!
Hahahahaaaaa» Posted By Art Samouris On January 25, 2021 @ 6:07 pm
Great video!!
Thank you Brendan!!» Posted By Art Samouris On January 25, 2021 @ 6:01 pm
Constantinople Meets with Papa
Notice the cuff links ol’ Bart is rocking in the photo from the Vatican News article. Oh man, I never get tired of their comedy.
» Posted By Art Samouris On September 18, 2019 @ 3:34 pm
‘In his brief remarks, Patriarch Bartholomew talked about the value placed on synodality in the Eastern Orthodox Church.’ The briefest of brief remarks. The two leaders then had a lengthy discussion on how to wield absolute authority over their flocks. Patriarch Bartholomew then told the Pope that he could get him a really good deal on a pair of cuff links.
» Posted By Art Samouris On September 18, 2019 @ 3:19 pm
‘Ode to Greatly Saddened, Part VIII. . .
If they want the Halki school open, maybe their Turk boss Erdogan can get them to sing the Turkish anthem before the Greek and American anthems ?
» Posted By Art Samouris On June 22, 2019 @ 9:53 pm
These clowns can’t even run or fill the slots of the one seminary in the US. What good will come from opening another seminary, especially in TURKEY!?
» Posted By Art Samouris On June 22, 2019 @ 9:30 pm
Dokos charged with a felony: Accused of improperly spending funds from trust account
Fr. George,
Everyone here is a sinner. Many times when an argument gets heated, personal insults are cast like stones. Most of us here are guilty of this, me included. To be clear, I was not attacking you for making a minor mistake. I was making a point that in my opinion, it is especially unbefitting for priests (and bishops ;D) to make mean-spirited personal remarks. I deeply respect your position regarding not piling on the sinner. However, I don’t respect personal insults made by anyone, especially clergy. I don’t expect that continuing to participate here will be good for my peace.» Posted By Art Samouris On August 4, 2014 @ 10:03 am
Dear Fr. George,
What seems to have gotten you angry? We all make mistakes in reading and repeating what we read. You normally sound logical and upbeat to me in your postings. Forgive me, but some of the things you wrote about Timothy were not very kind sounding to me. When I first read Timothy’s post, I immediately was struck by the court location; Chicago for charges brought by the Milwaukee county SA seemed very fishy. I thought, well that has to be wrong, no big deal, just a slip.I found another mistake, but not in what Timothy wrote, but what you wrote in slamming Timothy. You said that the court date was July 18. It was, for Fr. Dokos’s first appearance. He again appeared in the Milwaukee court on July 30, as written in the Tribune:
By Alexandra Chachkevitch
Tribune reporter
12:12 p.m. CDT, July 30, 2014A Greek Orthodox priest charged with felony theft waived his right to a preliminary hearing in a Milwaukee County courtroom this morning.
So it seems you made a slight slip as well. No big deal, except that this same thing is what seems to have sent you off the rails against Timothy.
We all make mistakes, so we should be forgiving to one another in these instances.
Again, I hope that Fr. Dokos does not go to jail, nor anyone else who may be involved. I also hope that this becomes a major lesson learned for all clergy and laity when it comes to properly handling money.Forgive me Fr. George if I offended you by my words, I mean no harm. I just hold the clergy to a higher standard when it comes to kindness. I could be wrong in doing this, and I definitely have much to learn regarding staying calm and not getting angry.
May the Good Lord guide and protect us all.
» Posted By Art Samouris On July 31, 2014 @ 9:27 pm
Dear Thomas,
I have a favor to ask of you. First allow me explain. I am relatively new to this blog and not familiar with some of the longstanding duels that have dotted the landscape. I was sinfully intrigued by the “rodent” reference you made. So seeing the “View all comments” link across from your name and just having put a Ritz cracker loaded with hummus in my mouth, I took a swig of water and unsuspectedly pressed the link. Much too soon before consuming the mushy mixture, I read some of your spicier comments. Getting back to the favor I ask of you; please warn us with all caps when you are about to unload on your opponent. I spent quite a few minutes cleaning my iPad and chair and scared the heck out of my dogs. Thanks in advance.» Posted By Art Samouris On July 21, 2014 @ 9:08 pm
I noticed that nothing was mentioned in this story of the money that Fr. Dokos gave to Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago) in excess of $7,000. This is the same Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago) who had this incident investigated months ago and found no wrongdoing. This is the same Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago) who was recently interviewed in a newspaper
Regarding money he received from Dokos, Demetrios said it was “for pastoral visits for a four-year period,” and added that Dokos “also gave to Athenagoras…Tarasios…and Nikitas.
“I don’t charge,” for pastoral visits, he said, “it was a gift. Don’t you think Methodios gets a gift or Athenagoras, or Iakovos? Don’t you tip the priest when he comes to baptize your baby or something?”Sorry, but that sure sounds like some verbal backpedaling to me, the kind I would use as a child when I was caught in a serious lie and desperately wanted to avoid the impending punishment. It was spread over FOUR YEARS; other bishops on the block did it too; I didn’t ask for it, it was a gift, and it would be inconsiderate of me to refuse it; the other bishops on the block get the gifts too; and so on …..
I’m not sure if the tax laws with respect to bishops are different from the laity, but I’m also curious to know if these “tips” ended up being declared income.
I’m most surely wrong in publishing my not-so-veiled accusations against Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago) in this matter. I really do hope that Bishop Demetrios did NOT use this trust fund money for his own personal use and that he can prove to us all that it was donated to a worthy cause. This being said, Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago) has not made himself the most beloved hierarch in the Metropolis of Chicago. In addition to this, times are tough for a lot of the laity and parishes in the Metropolis of Chicago. I would think that now is not a good time to glibly talk of $7,000 as a tip for a few visits when one of your priests has just been indicted for a major embezzlement.
Lord have mercy on us all, and me the biggest sinner.
» Posted By Art Samouris On July 11, 2014 @ 8:05 pm
Dear Fr. George,
Thank you for taking the time to focus the discussion and explain some of the issues. I believe that I understand your posted responses related to my original comments and I have no challenges to what you say.
As to the first question, I wasn’t attempting to make a legal argument, although I can see how it might have come across that way. My point was that given the published terms of the trust, I think it is more than a far stretch to imagine the trust was set up to have ANYONE involved living a plush life with the trust funds. It was obviously intended to help the needy, both materially and spiritually. May God bless the Franczak’s for their kindness.
What was done with the money that is the focus of the present fuss may indeed not be against the law. I truly hope no one involved is found guilty and punished by the state of Wisconsin. However, if all parties involved are found not guilty by the Milwaukee County DA, there is still a moral issue here that I believe needs to be addressed. If I were a priest or bishop, I sure would not want to give the public the impression that I was using charitable contributions for lining my pockets. I also would not want to give the public the impression that I was dishonest and tried to mislead efforts into investigating such allegations. In my opinion, this is the real harm done here. We desperately need virtuous shepherds to protect the flock and bring the lost sheep into the fold. Public impressions are powerful. Our leaders surely must realize this.
As to the second question, the Church in the USA today uses monetary assessments from each parish to fund much of its daily operations at the hierarchical level. The nominal annual salary for GOA priests is not stingy. I have looked but not found what the annual salary for GOA hierarchs are, but I don’t imagine that they are less than the top salary for priests. Bishops don’t need any extra money to survive. I believe ANY AND ALL parish money given by a priest to a hierarch needs to be done very publicly and with a charitable purpose.
To sum it up, we need to do things so that no impropriety can be imagined by the public. This will help protect the flock and the shepherds as well.
May the Good Lord guide and protect us all.
» Posted By Art Samouris On July 21, 2014 @ 1:29 pm
«« Back To Stats PageDear Fr. George,
Forgive me, but how can there be nothing wrong with the monetary gifts given to bishops from the Franczak trust fund? How are these gifts any different than the other money allegedly misspent?
Listed in the criminal complaint against Fr. Dokos by the Milwaukee County District Attorney are the intended uses of the trust fund authorized by Margaret Franczak. The fund monies were to be disbursed as follows:
$5,000 to the trustee, Fr. Dokos, for all work done by the trustee
Any automobile and real property, as well as the contents of the real property would go to Dokos — as long as he survived the grantor.
$5,000 was to be paid to the American Cancer Society, Florida Division
$10,000 was to be paid to a church in Clearwater, Florida
$5,000 was to be paid to the American Heart Association
The rest of the money was to be used exclusively for the construction and maintenance of a cultural center at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.It is clearly evident to me (and I would hope every other reasonable person) that items that were NOT INCLUDED on the list of authorized intended uses of the trust fund, beyond what was already generously given to Fr. Dokos, were:
* gifts to Fr. Dokos’s family members
* a health club membership for Fr. Dokos
* meals at fancy restaurants enjoyed by Fr. Dokos and his guests
* paying off Fr. Dokos’s credit card balance
* monetary “gifts” or “tips” given by Fr. Dokos to Greek Orthodox hierarchs of several metropolises (metropoles if you prefer) in North AmericaThere are strong indications so far that Fr. Dokos violated the terms of the trust fund. I truly hope that all of these alleged misdeeds are proven false. What really is upsetting about all of this, much, much more than the money itself, is the damage that will be done to the trust of the general public and church membership with regards to the clergy. How many more people will stop attending church services? How many more will refrain from donating gifts to their parish, diocese, and other church related charities? I can already hear the naysayers, “see I told you so, all churches are corrupt and led by phony greedy clergy. That’s why I don’t go to church or believe in this stuff.”
This could have been much less damaging and perhaps even completely avoided if it had been properly handled by Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago). Had Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago) not been so heavy handed with the parish council of SS Peter and Paul in Glenview, IL things would be better. Had Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago) disclosed the fact that he had received several personal checks drawn from the trust fund by Fr. Dokos to the tune of $7,000 things would be much better. Perhaps the whole thing could have been avoided if Bishop Demetrios Kantzanvelos of Mokissos (Chicago) had said to Fr. Dokos “Why are you trying to give me a personal check written against a trust fund? Was the trust fund set up to personally benefit me, a bishop? Why do you feel it is necessary to give a bishop in your diocese such a large monetary gift? I don’t need such a gift, I am already generously compensated by the yearly assessment of each parish in my diocese. More importantly, I have accepted a calling from Jesus Christ to dedicate my life to Him and help shepherd His flock. I must be a good example to them, lest they be led astray.”
The Church tells us to confess our sins and repent. This is not an easy task for any of us. It just got a little tougher. Perhaps a full reparation, public confession, and true repentance by all parties involved would help us all.
Lord have mercy on us all, and me the biggest sinner.
» Posted By Art Samouris On July 18, 2014 @ 8:48 am
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