The Speech in the title is more than the commencement address given by Efstathios “Steve” Valiotis last week at Holy Cross. The occasion was the 76th Commencement exercise and it caused a flurry of controversy.
Valiotis, a self-made man who emigrated from Greece in 1972, is the prototypical immigrant success story. Before he made it in the New York real estate market, he worked as a busboy, dishwasher, newsstand clerk and furniture salesman. In addition to being the principal of Real Deal Real Estate, he owns a significant stake in Alma Bank.
Ordinarily, given his biography, Yours Truly would rank Mr Valiotis in with the secularists who travel in Archon/Leadership 100 circles. As to whether this is the case or not is immaterial at this point given the controversial statements made by Valiotis at the Holy Cross/Hellenic College commencement.
Here is the speech as given by Mr Valiotis:
It was delivered in Greek for reasons yet unknown and the sound quality is not optimal. Regardless, the money quotes are as follows:
“[The GOA must] become autocephalous or the Ecumenical Patriarchate must move to the U.S.”
Why? “[Because] we can’t be governed by a small group of people from Turkey without any flock or purpose, with no mission and a different agenda.”
Them’s fightin’ words. Indeed, what Valiotis did was nothing less than issue a declaration of independence from foreign over-lordship. Unlike the Archon/L100 class, he clearly has no interests in “chasing after greetings in the marketplace” (as St Paul so sarcastically noted about certain eminences in his own day). And because he is a successful businessman and potential benefactor, he recognizes that a great deal of the malfeasance that has plagued the GOA comes from foreign meddling. The perfect storm of Turkish interference, Greek governmental influence-peddling and the vapid Greek-American culture that has long lost its vibrancy.
In attendance at this ceremony were Archbishop Demetrios (Primate of the GOA), Metropolitans Methodios, Savvas and Gerasimos (of Boston, Pittsburgh and San Franciso, respectively), and Bishop Andonios (the Chancellor of the Archdiocese).
So far, only Metropolitans Gerasimos and Evangelos of New Jersey have issued rebuttals. As of this writing, Archbishop Demetrios has not issued a rebuttal. This is curious if you ask me. Has Valiotis given him a trump card to play against the Ecumenical Patriarchate and their followers in America?
Though startling to hear, Valiotis’ statements cannot be dismissed out of hand. Especially since he is the lender of last resort; literally the man standing in the door keeping the wolf at bay.
I suppose the Archons (who were likewise critical) of Valiotis, could step up to the plate and bail out the GOA (and the St Nicholas Shrine) but they seem reluctant to do so.
Perhaps they should heed the words of our Lord and Saviour who said “where your heart is there will your treasure be also”?
I suggest that a little self-reflection is in order for the Archons. Valiotis is willing to walk the walk. All the Archons do is talk the talk.
Anyway, that’s the way I see it.
What a shame this institution of higher learning does not know the proper placement of the flags. Will someone please kind enough and convey to these Greeks, the flag of this country, the United States of America, is always to the left when looking at it. That is to include parades, on a stage or anywhere else!
In addition, ever wonder why there are so many different shades of blue when it comes to the Hellenic Republic flag? The color blue in the Hellenic Republic flag should be dark blue, as the color of the ocean/sea. From what I have been able to surmise from the Internet, the pantone color should be #294, which would obviously mean one standard shade of dark blue.
I know this may seem insignificant to most, but it would be nice to see the Hellenic Republic flag displayed in uniformity and that is in its proper shade of dark blue!
Please accept my apology for the incorrect listing of the pantone color blue up above for the Hellenic Republic flag. The correct pantone color blue is #286.
Since my original post above seemed to have been lost, I decided to post again later on in the thread.
An article appears in the Ethnikos Kyrix, where His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago states, “it was a mistake to honor Efstathios Valiotis with an honorary degree.”
On another speech made by B.in Rome, u know all the DOCTORATE global words and concern and care and pastoral support and rest, my kumbaras in Athens said ‘ Words, just words, as soon as the average lay person hears all this, he or she just ‘κλείνουν τα αυτιά τους. ‘
So sorry for St Nikolai Planas who knew nothing of this.
B.is an academic professional, who should be explored at Rome college, where he more at home.
It is unfortunate the speech was not handled differently by the GOA leadership. It would have been an opportunity for the GOA to trumpet its openness for dialogue and willingness for free exchange of ideas. Leadership could have still expressed their disagreement with the ideas presented. It appears that dissenting ideas are unacceptable.
I find it rather interesting Mr. Efstathios Valiotis decided to address the graduates in Greek.
As you stated, it is difficult to hear his speech clearly and that is too bad.
It will be interesting to see where all this leads to. Especially, since Alma Bank up until this speech, was supposedly in the process of securing a loan of up to 10 million dollars for the archdiocese, on their two buildings on East 79th Street. I guess, only time will tell for sure!
Below please find an article from today in The National Herald.
Metropolitan Gerasimos Strongly Rejects Autocephaly Comments
By Theodoros Kalmoukos – May 30, 2018
https://www.thenationalherald.com/202748/metropolitan-gerasimos-strongly-rejects-autocephaly-comments/
Good for him. We need men to speak the truth.
All the bishops who’s titles go back to some dead city in BFE Turkey should go back there and rebuild their congregations.
Give us American born and American loyal bishops. The current bishops are not loyal to this country or these people and are the most un-Christlike clergy I have ever met.
“Alma Bank”? Are they a really, really big bank?
A “benefactor”?
From busboy to a banker! Amazing! Only in America!
Sums up the Greeks right there. The problem talks about the problem.
I was a Presbyterian for 66 years. Paperboys to captains of industry were a dime a dozen. They never made speeches about it.
Tim,
From what I see, Alma Bank currently lists 13 branches. These branches obviously seem to be located in areas where a large concentration of Greeks and Greek-Amercans live.
They are neither loyal to modern Greece either, or even to byzantine which contrary to what said was a vibrant amazing civilization. What they are local to is PHANAR and the 500 yrs of othoman domination. That is their mind set. These are the people who in 1923 recognised the Soviet revisionist church and disowned Saint Patriarch Tikhon. These are the people who did nothing to safeguard the ORTHOPRAXIS OF greek Orthodox
worship in USA, it has been laity with few exceptions, who led on ditching the harmonium and return to correct Iconography. Just naming obvious. Where were they insisting on worshipping in greek in an english speaking society and the spirituality of greekfest.?
What ever fault there may be with the monasteries and we are fallen people trying to stand every day so may be some failings I do not know, but WHAT I DO KNOW, is that as the witness of ROCOR, and its monasteries, they panic when they are forced out of their borgeoise secular comfort zone. Pity that good old uk charter airline, RYAN AIR, to.Stanstead, that i ‘enjoy’ on flights to Greece and uk, does not run from New York to.Istambul. Be good for the little ottoman bureaucrats . You know. $10 more for priority boarding PRIORITY, YES YES YES, $10 FOR EXTRA BAG AND $30 FOR 20KG HOLD BAG. They could rename it ‘DESPOTIC TRAVEL’. Lol.
I live in Bulgaria that suffered centuries of Phanar ottoman greek nationalism in religion and they had the GALL to blame the Slavs. I AM GREEK BUT NOT THAT FASCIST SORT parading past dead ‘glory’ as the congregation goes to the diner not the organ concert, on a Sunday morning
Now, that’s one cool dude. What a magnificent, Horatio Alger, American Dream life story! He really needs to write his biography. These are the kind of people we need in America. No whining, no complaining about how life is so unfair, and no excuses. Just hard work, faith, courage, and keen business acumen. I admire him. None of the supercilious, egotistical, holier than thou, banal crap you get from showoffs and know it alls on this forum.
One of the things that annoys me on this forum is when name dropping, sanctimonious ninconpoops rebuke fellow posters, act like they’re the owner of this website by telling who does and does not belong on this forum. Oh, of course, they have to massage their emasculated egos by showing off about the fact they took some seminary courses that taught them Greek. Big deal! Mr. Valiotis graduated from seminary, speaks fluent Greek and English as well. He doesn’t have to drop names to make himself sound important because he is important in his own right. Shut up, listen to Mr. Valiotis – and learn.
Agree. He is a realise unlike the ones he was calling out.
Constantinos,
On the good side, we get to smile at the phrase “name dropping, sanctimonious ninconpoops.”
Actually, the metropolitans no longer have titles ascribed to ancient sees. They are bishops of their cities, responsible directly to the Patriarchate. It would seem that this system was instituted in response to the meeting of almost 30 Orthodox bishops, including all the primates of the various churches in the US, at Ligonier in 1994. Patriarch Bartholomew and some of the other patriarchs probably saw it as a power grab although no document produced by the meeting called for autocephaly. Iakovos was soon canned, in 1996, and I would think that it was Ligonier that got the EP to start thinking about losing control (and money) of the GOA. That’s why he got Spyridon appointed archbishop. And then Demetrios, who abhors disagreement and upsetting the applecart in any way. So the auxiliary bishops, with their far away titular sees, were made metropolitans in their own right under the new charter of the GOA (wow, did the faithful get suckered into that). No more would the US see someone of Iakovos’ stature. The new charter was a very clever power grab supported by the bishops because they are all sycophants who didn’t want to be under the direct control of an archbishop but rather be much more independent, regardless of what anyone thinks, owing direct allegiance to the EP so far away. Then, a few years ago, the EP actually asked parishes to put the EP as owner of their properties to make it seem to the Turkish government that he didn’t only own a few churches with a couple of thousand followers. Iakovos was replaced by the hardliner sycophant Spiridon and when that didn’t work, by Demetrios, and you can clearly see where that has led. The absolutely ironic thing about Ligonier is that the bishops there produced a statement on mission and evangelism!!!! When was the last time you heard an Orthodox bishop, or group of bishops, talk about that in the US?
Long live Ligonier and blessed be the memory of former Archbishop of North and South America, His Eminence Iakovos. He was truly an amazing man, cleric and hierarch. Many, if not all of the present day hierarchs could learn much from this man. Unfortunately and sadly, one who we will never see the likes of again. To think he was brought down by his sister’s Godson, is even harder to fathom. A true sign of unending “Christian Love!”
I had wondered what the speaker said that blindsided the faculty and the big guns at commencement! Very good to hear a worthwhile speech at such a function, too bad it wasn’t delivered in English. It’s amusing to see the response, though a reflex reaction is pretty predictable from these great minds. The language seems to be trying (and failing) to suggest that autocephaly somehow equals “division”. How? The Church is one. Where and when did the term “Mother Church” come along? Meaningless. It’s a silly idea to imagine the “ecumenical” bishop moving to the US, it just needs to be taken off the respirator. There is no bishop of Carthage or any number of any other European or African ruins. Istanbul is no different. The patriarchates are our pyramids. Crumbling religious monuments completely unconnected with the places they exist. We don’t need them, we need parishes and local bishops who ARE local, not dreaming of an invented past. While they’re at it they can stop wearing silly headgear imposed on conquered Christians by Muslim overlords. Getting autocephaly first means someone can use their head in the first place.
Agree and about the silly head gear and crowns. They look like a renta mob for a stag party.
Looks even worse with a clean shaved or excuse for beard face. Strange when u have a bishop who is a bishop in spirit, u do not notice and that they often dispense with bishop worship.
Au contraire!
“HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF CARTHAGE
His Eminence Meletios Metropolitan of Carthage (born Konstantinos Koumanis) was botn in Kalamata Messinia in 1970. He holds a degree from the Higher Ecclesiastical Academy of Athens, from the Department of Social Theology of the Theological Academy of Athens and the Catechetical School of Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece. He speaks English, Arabic and Russian.
In 1996 he was tonsured a monk and ordained Deacon at the Holy Boulkanou Monastery in Messinia, by the later Metropolitan Chrysostomos Themelis of Messinia and as Priest in 2000. In 2007 he was appointed as Chairman of the Council for the administration and management of the Ecclesiastical Camps of the Holy Metropolis of Messinia for their renovation. He was the Abbot Advisor of the Holy Boulkanou Monastery during the years 2007-2008.
In November 2008 he was seconded to the Patriarchate of Alexandria and was appointed as Parish Priest of the Patriarchal Church of St Savvas in Alexandria. In 2009 he received the Office of Sacristan of the Patriarchal Throne and in 2010 was enthroned as Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of St Savvas by His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandra and All Africa. Since that time, he served in the Secretariat of the Patriarchate, was in charge of the Website and Internet Office and taught Ritual at the “St Athanasios the Great” Patriarchal Academy in Alexandria. He accompanied His Beatitude the Patriarch of Alexandria on official visits overseas and on missionary journeys throughout Africa. He was in charge of the organization of the Book issued in honour of the 10 years of contribution and ministry of His Beatitude. On 26th November 2014 he was elected as Bishop of Naucratis, ordained by His Beatitude Theodoros II Pope and Patriarch on 5th December 2014 and promoted as Metropolitan of Carthage on 17th November 2016.
The historic Holy Archdiocese of Carthage was a powerful spiritual centre and autonomous Church during the first centuries of Christianity, where the famous Local Synod of Carthage convened in 419; it was reestablished by Patriarchal and Synodal Tome in 1931 and today includes in its spiritual jurisdiction Tunisia, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republics of Algeria and Mauritania.
See: Tunis
Address: 5, Rue de Rome, 1000 Tunis – Tunisie”
He has several active parishes in North Africa, including a growing, Arabic-speaking mission in Morocco.
Exactly. Bishop of a ruin. He lives in Tunis. Notice the patriarch “of Antioch” hasn’t lived in Antioch since the 14th century. It’s impossible to take people seriously who don’t update their return address for 700 or 1000 years. Equally impossible to take seriously a bishop with a flock of around 1500 or so elderly people in Istanbul as a Bishop Of Earth for all Orthodox Christians. The title of a cleric should not be portable. The desperate search for prestige is pathetic, and more pathetic when they don’t realize they have none.
As a side note, what a shame to see an institution of higher learning which does not know the proper protocol for the placement our country’s flag, the flag of the United States of America. The USA flag is “always” placed to the left of the viewing public. This includes parades, on stage or anywhere else it is on display.
In addition, how sad to see the flag of the Hellenic Republic to be displayed in so many different shades or color of blue. Talk about not being able to get the proper uniformity is, simply put, unbelievable.
I once questioned the Consulate of the Hellenic Republic, what the proper shade or color blue the Hellenic Republic flag should be? I was informed it should be dark blue, the color of the ocean or sea. After looking on the internet, it shows the shade or color of blue as pantone #286.
This may seem insignificant to most, but there should be one standard color blue, so when displaying the Hellenic Republic’s flag, no matter where, it is displayed with consistency and uniformity. Something which is so basic, but yet, unfortunately doesn’t seem to matter to most Greeks. Truly sad!
And at the seminary, when I attended, they always had the Greek flag higher than the US. I called them out on it. No response. I don’t know if they rectified it.
And the anti-Ephraim faction of the GOA dares to call his monasteries ethnocentric? Oh, the irony!
Bob, thanks. Your comments make sense.
You have to wonder who arranged for him to give the speech, and if any of the event’s organizers had foreknowledge of the contants. You must think he was really speaking for someone else.
See
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/real-estate-tycoon-dishwasher-worst-landlords-list-article-1.3016117
https://nycbiznews.journalism.cuny.edu/2014/10/inside-developer-behind-astoria-cove/
https://patch.com/new-york/washington-heights-inwood/whos-worst-landlord-washington-heights-inwood-see-who-made-cut
For balance:
https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161013/morrisania/2016-worst-landlord-list-clara-wainright/
Valiotis “said he was “very disappointed” to be on the list, arguing that he has renovated his buildings extensively since purchasing them and remains committed to making additional improvements.
“The reason that records kept by NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) do not reflect current conditions is because the process of administratively removing the violations is ongoing,” he said. “It is unfortunate that the Public Advocate’s Office doesn’t accurately reflect the current condition of these buildings.”
Below please find the bio of Mr. Efstathios (Steve) Valiotis from The National Herald
https://www.thenationalherald.com/wealthiest/efstathios-steve-valiotis/
Greatly Saddened,
Thank you for the link. I think this excerpt and link should also be posted here. So often, we do not know the “whole story.”
https://www.thenationalherald.com/141714/valiotis-family-donates-10-million-new-home-elderly/
The Valiotis family donates $10 million for the new home for the elderly
November 15, 2016
“In his speech, Valiotis initially spoke about the importance of the project, noting that “it is a home for our elderly, but perhaps for us as well in the future,” and pointed out that many wealthy expatriates are reluctant to donate money to communities and parishes.
“I spoke with a very wealthy Greek-American without introducing myself. I asked him why he doesn’t donate money to Greek-American organizations. He said that there is no infrastructure, the system does not work properly and that the priests use the money as they see fit,” Valiotis recounted, and although he specified that he does not consider “all priests to be the same,” he contended that “there are conditions that need to change.”
“Perhaps the regulation on donations should change. I live as a Christian, albeit with my weaknesses. I reciprocate the help that the faith has offered me, but I have reason to say these things. Our money has been earned through hard work. Respect it.”
Mrs. Stamatiki Valiotis spoke next and described the evening as important “for us, our family and the proud elderly,” and announced the immediate operation of a foundation which will support Greek education and which will also be funded by her and her husband.
“$1 million have been already been deposited for the needs of Ellinika Grammata (Hellenic Letters). This Foundation will support the Greek language, Orthodoxy and Culture,” Mrs. Valiotis stated.
In conclusion, Efstathios Valiotis called upon the churches “to open their doors to the Greeks and to not be an exclusive club,” urging them to utilize the potential of Greeks and Greek Americans from all disciplines.
The English form of Efstathios is not Steve, it;s Eustace. Typical.
Bienvenue à la maison, Pere La Chaise.
Excellent “pun”, Michael!!
What’s really unfortunate about the backlash is that it lays bare the Episcopal Assemblies are just window dressing. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s good for our bishops to get together regularly BUT if the Greeks are not serious about a local autocephalous Church then they have no business pretending the Episcopal Assemblies have a future.
Below please find a comment which was posted under this recent article in The National Herald.
Evangelos Strongly Condemns Valiotis’ Statement about Church Autocephaly
By Theodoros Kalmoukos – May 25, 2018
************
God help us if this is true and Metropolitan Evangelos did in fact say this to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.
Once again, if true, we have no one other than Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to thank for creating this mess.
As for Metropolitan Evangelos, if true, he should be careful what he wishes for. What goes around, may very well come around!
************
repanidi1908 says:
June 2, 2018 at 9:18 am
The metropolitans and the patriarch don’t want autocephaly, either for the GOA by itself or as part of a larger Orthodox grouping in the US. The patriarch because he doesn’t want to even think about losing his biggest piece of the pie, for reasons of prestige and economics. The metropolitans because they would then be responsible to the head of the autocephalous church, an archbishop, who would be very present in their metropolises, instead of only having to suck up to a leader who resides half way around the world. As Metropolitan Evangelos, as a very recently elected hierarch at that, said to Archbishop Demetrios in a synod meeting at the Archdiocese: you know, your eminence, you need my permission to come into my metropolis to conduct a service. It is debatable what was worse, Evangelos’ comment or the fact that none of the other metropolitans said not a word when that happened. Why, because they all benefited from Evangelos’ insolence.
Insolence indeed! It never looks good on a man; especially if he is a hireling.
Below please find an article from May 29th, on the Greek News Online website.
Archdiocese of America: Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; And unto Brutus the things that are Brutus’ – A Commentary by Apostolos Zoupaniotis, Publisher and Editor of GREEK NEWS
MAY 29TH, 2018
COMMENTARIES, COMMUNITY, CYPRUS, GREECE,TOP STORY
http://www.greeknewsonline.com/archdiocese-of-america-render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-caesars-and-unto-brutus-the-things-that-are-brutus-a-commentary-by-apostolos-zoupaniotis-publisher-and-editor-of-greek/
Below please find an article from May 31st, on the Greek News Online website.
Resignation of Archbishop Demetrios will mean a cover-up of what happened with Saint Nicholas A Commentary by Apostolos Zoupaniotis, Publisher and Editor of GREEK NEWS
MAY 31ST, 2018
COMMUNITY, GREECE, TOP STORY
http://www.greeknewsonline.com/resignation-of-archbishop-demetrios-will-mean-a-cover-up-of-what-happened-with-saint-nicholas-a-commentary-by-apostolos-zoupaniotis-publisher-and-editor-of-greeknews/
Sadly, the self implosion continues within and around this archdiocese.
As has been written for years, the demise of both schools the archdiocese has responsibility over, seems to be on their deathbed and it has absolutely no one else to blame but itself. What will it take, if not alreay too late, to correct this wayward ship?
This institution’s main primary responsibility is to spread the word of “Christ!” To evangelize and it fails at that miserably! If they have been one total failure at this, why and how can we expect it to be good at anything else?
Can one institution be so inept that anything it seems to put its hands in or on turns to disaster? It seems to me this group cannot seem to find its way out of a paper bag, without causing something to fail. And when I say fail, I mean, fail miserably too!
Other than take the general laity’s money and misappropriate it, there is nothing this institition does well or has anything to be proud of.
We can continue to rehash things, but one thing is for sure. This institution is one total failure with presently no hope in sight!
Please excuse my French, but the old saying seems so fitting for this institution: Poor planning produces piss poor performance and this institution is one perfect example of that!
Below please find an article from May 31st, by George D. Karcazes, on the OCL website.
BOYCOTTING THE BOSTON CLERGY LAITY CONGRESS
BY WEBMASTER ON MAY 31, 2018
GOVERNANCE & UNITY ESSAYS,
GOVERNANCE & UNITY NEWS
By George D Karcazes
http://ocl.org/boycotting-the-boston-clergy-laity-congress/
Greatly Saddened
What do you think?
Will we have a “Boston Tea Party” this upcoming Clergy Laity Congress – or will it be “Business as usual?”
BJS,
I wish I knew. In my heart, I really think there should be one, so the powers to be at the archdiocese once and for all, see the general laity has had enough and will no longer tolerate the shenanigans. It’s high time the general laity is made part of the decision making process again and the rubber stamping by the hierarchal appointed laity ceases.
I think it will be another, sad to say, “dog and pony” or “smoke and mirrors” show, with business as usual. I don’t think anything is going to truly change or get accomplished.. With the exception of perhaps, just perhaps, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, may announce his retirement. I do know His Eminence was hoping to stay on until the opening of Saint Nicholas at Ground Zero National Shrine, but since it has been put on hold, it may have effected His Eminence’s original decision. Only time will tell!
Dear All,
A friend sent me this link and the following statements:
“The New Metropolitan of Chicago, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael (“HEMN”) sent out this recent email:
From: Metropolitan Nathanael
Subject: Sts Peter & Paul Listening Tour Meeting.pdf
Gentlemen, please see below. If you can share with your lists, that would be great. People can register for updates on future visits at: https://midwesttour.squarespace.com/
We are focusing on the surrounding parishes for this stop on the “tour.”
We will have 11 more around the metropolis.
Thanks!”
“If you want to understand why HEMN is attempting to engage all of us perhaps listen to the last 15 minutes of his podcast on Ancient Faith Radio. With about 5 minutes left on the broadcast HEMN apologizes for people who have left our Faith and Church. Here is the link:
http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/stewardshipcalling/meet_metropolitan_nathanael
“There are a number of obstacles that keep the Church from getting past 38 years of questionable management in the Metropolis. The old guard of this Metropolis (or as most people refer to them as the “Prom Committee”) continues to inject themselves into the narrative that HEMN hears. I believe that unless people start asking HEMN questions in person, go to these Listening Tour Meetings, or submitting questions (to submit questions here is the link: https://midwesttour.squarespace.com/ ) HEMN will only hear from those who have an interest in maintaining the status quo.
“If you think that I am overstating how diminished things are please listen carefully to the podcast. In the last 3 minutes and 20 seconds HEMN is told about a Pew Research Study. The revelation is that the Orthodox Church has lost 47% of all adults who were raised in the Orthodox Church. So take the opportunity to ask a question, make your feelings know. Who knows if you will ever be asked to contribute like this again.”
Perhaps, as Mr. George D. Karcazes suggested, boycotting the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress in Boston, may be most appropriate. The fact remains, has the elected laity at the parish level had enough, where it will be willing to press the archdiocese publicly at this type of function? I would hope and pray time has finally come to unite and demand answers, which the general laity so rightfully deserves, but yet to get, nor even an once of humility from this seemingly “egotistical” group. This institution of seemingly, “mightier than thou!”
Bottom line seems to be, some drastic measures need to be taken by the general laity, so as to convey to the archdiocese, the general laity’s lack of trust with the hierarchs and their hierarchal lay appointees.
Whatever it is going to take to get this archdiocese back and to “drain this seemingly vile and filthy swamp!”
The general laity have seemingly been continuously lied to and have not been given the respect “it” so rightfully deserves as being an equal and important part of this archdiocese.
Plain and simply put, the general laity has been pushed aside for far too long and basically told to, “Pay, Pray and Obey!” You, the general laity, keep sending in your archdiocesan assessment and “we” the archdiocese, along with the metropolises, will decide on how and where it is to be spent. Au contraire!
Below please find an article from today in The National Herald.
Man to Walk 220 Miles from NY to Boston to Raise Money for HCHC
By Theodoros Kalmoukos – June 16, 2018
https://www.thenationalherald.com/204409/man-to-walk-220-miles-from-ny-to-boston-to-raise-money-for-hchc/
Below please find an article from today in The National Herald. Unfortunately, the article is locked and doesn’t appear in its entirety. It just so happens it has been posted in its entirety on the OCL website.
Hellenic College-Holy Cross: Great Expectations Gone Awry
Source: The National Herald
By Dan Georgakas
BY WEBMASTER ON JUNE 21, 2018
GOVERNANCE & UNITY ESSAYS,
GOVERNANCE & UNITY NEWS
http://ocl.org/hellenic-college-holy-cross-great-expectations-gone-awry/