Monomakhos received the following report that three GOA priests, who were actively involved in exposing the corruption in the Chicago Metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Church, have all died within the last few months. All were purportedly in good health.
1) Fr. George P. Pappas, former priest at SS Constantine and Helen Church in Merrillville, Indiana
2) Fr. Michael Richard Vanderhoef, former priest at the Assumption Church of Madison, Wisconsin
3) Fr. Joseph Mirowski, former priest of the Transfiguration Church in Mason City, Iowa
Sadly, we were just notified of the death of a fourth individual, the host of a popular blog, also dedicated to uncovering the corruption. (Name being withheld.)
Memory eternal.
Why have three GOA priests in Chicago suddenly died?
UPDATE: The fourth priest mentioned at the last part of this article was father Joseph Mirowski, a Vietnam Veteran with two purple hearts… A priest of the Transfiguration Church in Mason City… More to come soon…
Very disturbing news saw the light of day recently, reported by the new blog www.concernedorthodoxchristians.wordpress.com. It appears that 3 members of the clergy in the greater Chicago area have died in the last 3 months; they all happened to live in a 70-80 miles radius and they were all middle aged or younger with no apparent health issues! But they all seem to have shared a tendency to speak out about matters of the Church as our initial reports from Chicago indicate. These reports suggest that they were outspoken against the leadership of Met.Nathanael of Chicago as well as against the leadership of GOA and the Patriarchate… Our information indicates that they were feeding information to the very popular website www.protectingorthodoxchurch.com, which also suddenly stopped functioning in late November!
As we continue to delve into this story let’s take one death at a time:
- On November 20, 2019 Rev. Fr. George P.Pappas, age 54, priest at SS Constantine and Helen church in Merrillville, Indiana, a populous Greek American community, situated about 30-40 miles south and east of Chicago…
- A few days ago, on January 17 2020, Rev. Father Michael Richard Vanderhoef, age 47, priest at the Assumption Church of Madison, Wisconsin, located about 40-45 miles north and west of Chicago… He was found dead at a McDonald’s parking lot and Chicago PD is investigating…
Both priests died of “natural causes”, although all reports and indications are that they were in very good health. Interestingly, it seems that at least the first one was closely connected with the publisher of the very popular blog mentioned above www.protectingorthodoxchurch.com and was cooperating in revealing all kinds of scandals and corruption… A few days before the blog stopped operating Fr.Pappas reported his concerns in an email indicating that he was afraid of their “opponents” in the Church, a possible sign of threats and blackmailing…
The publisher of the above blog, reports indicate, was also a member of the clergy, an idealist who could not stand the corruption within the GOA. It looks like Fr. George Pappas was one of his many informers. Suddenly in late November the blog stopped functioning. A new blog www.concernedorthodoxchristians.wordpress.com has just a few days reported that he also died!!
We should underline that neither death of Rev. Fr. George P.Pappas and Rev. Father Michael Richard Vanderhoef is reported by the National Herald, an extremely unusual occurrence. More importantly, neither one is memorialized in the official website of the Archdiocese!!
Initial reports indicate that there is one more priest who died recently in Chicago – which will raise the total number of deaths to four! We will keep investigating this story and will post any new information immediately as it becomes available. Meanwhile, as all these deaths suddenly happen, “cool” Met Nathanael enjoys a vacation in Australia with his dear friend Arch.Makarios!! And Arch. Elpidophoros takes a week-long vacation in Hawaii and California, accompanied by Gerasimos of San Fransisco, to escape the cold in New York… The hierarchy of the Church is certainly enjoying the last few days of the Titanic….
January 23, 2020, n.stamatakis@aol.com
https://www.helleniscope.com/2020/01/23/why-have-there-goa-priests-in-chicago-suddenly-died/
Stay safe out there
Elpidophoros has just literally come into office. As a rule of thumb, in my professional life, unless I had a holiday booked before I took a new post, which a future employer would have been informed about, i never normally requested annual leave entering a new job but made sure I got some work in beyond just arranging the office, before planning what ever portion of my yearly entitlement was left. . WOULD NOT SET RIGHT TONE.. Apparantly though ok for bishops. And not just a few days relaxing in the cabin, but hey ho, away we go. Let’s hope Metropolitan nathaniel said a prayer for the Australians. So sad that a young new man is now showing himself to be part of the ‘ Versaille clerical ancient regime!! ‘ And yes of course clergy need time out and should have it. That not in question but not as this.
May their memory be eternal. May God grant them rest among the saints, and may the consolation of the Holy Spirit be with their families. Zoe s’esas!
Now. Can we discuss facts?
Mr. Stamatakis writes: “… all middle aged or younger with no apparent health issues.” Fr. Joseph was 71: that’s retirement age, not middle age. Of the others, they were squarely middle-aged at 54 and 47. There is no “or younger.”
As for health issues, obesity is certainly a health issue, and one that plagues many, many of our priests. I do not fault them. Theirs is a sedentary and stressful job. A lot of cortisol and a lot of office work. But that two middle-aged men with sedentary jobs had a heart attack or stroke (natural causes, yes?) in a time of stress, and especially after a meal at McDonalds, is not really as shocking as is being presented.
There is a subtle insinuation of something like Arkancide going on here (Archdiocide?). Can we all agree that this is taking it too far?
Mind you, this is not offered as a defense of any policy or action by any hierarchs. But the spin is getting a little dizzying.
May God grant forgiveness to His servants.
Here’s a fact for you: I have been personally told these men were being threatened. Not after they died but before they died. Not making an insinuation. Stating a fact.
I couldn’t help but think of the misery you endured, Gail, when I read this. If the blood of these priests really is on someone’s hands, God help the person or persons responsible.
I hope that God rewards you in the future, to make up for all you had to suffer. I pray that you and George will be careful. It seems that some dark forces don’t want certain things coming to light.
Thank you, ES. I’ve learned, first hand, that there are people in the Church who are capable of doing very bad things. But, in this case, I think there are influences outside the Church who are also involved.
Ah, yes. The Telephone Game. How well it works. The fact that someone plays it is a negligible fact indeed,
Unless, Ms. Sheppard, you were informed by these men personally of such threats, it is an idle rumor. Gossip. Argologia, per the Prayer of Saint Ephrem.
It’s Mrs. Michalopulos and you can speculate all you want.
“It’s Mrs. Michalopulos”
Your commentator name is still Gail Sheppard. Get that updated, George! And congrats.
Thank you!
? Clapping Hands
😉
?
+
Family advice to a new husband from an old one; if your wife is having a bad day, hold her close, tell how much you love her and call her Agapi Mu. If she growls, retreat to a safe distance and throw chocolate at her. Works every time.
If it’s Sees candy, it works even better!
Wow I always thought you two were involved by both of your comments defending each other, so sweet
congratulations if this is recent
or even not recent!!!!
Yeah, well, we always tend to stick together. 🙂 Thank you!
Chronia polla! May you and George enjoy a wonderful, spiritual life together in Holy Matrimony.
Thank you, Father!
Πάντοτε Χρύσα Στέφανα ~ Always Golden Crowns to you both George and Gail. May you both continue to be Blessed. Thank you both for your knowledge, information and insight. Much appreciated.
So sweet! Thank you!
Wishing you both joy and many benisons!
Thank you!!!!
?thank you!
Thank you Fr, and everybody else as well.
No speculation, Mrs. M. I take that as plain denial that you have no firsthand knowledge of the rumors you tout.
Spasiba!
M. Ross, Google the names. No rumors.
It’s best to watch movies like Goodfellas, Godfather I and II, Casino, and the Irishman to better understand your GOA and it’s Metropolitans.
All great movies btw. I always make time to watch Goodfellas.
The Irishman, while a better film, was a little too long & derivative. Still worth a watch as it plugs some holes in the Jimmy Hoffa/mafia narrative
My father spent his early years in the U.S. Coast Guard commanding a patrol boat in the New York area; he told me that the number one target of the USCG in the harbor and the sound was a Boston gangster named Joseph Kennedy. He also said that they never could catch him, he was “smarter than the Coast Guard.” There is an article in a 1925 Collier’s magazine about my father making the largest ‘catch’ to that point in the war against ‘rum runners,’ approximately $400,000 on fine booze, probable worth many millions in today’s economy.
A Big Catch on Rum Row
William G. Shepherd
By 1925 rum-running–importation of foreign-made liquor into the United States–had settled into a systematic, large-scale business. So had the fight against rum-runners. Here is a 1925 article written by reporter William G. Shepherd, a story of one engagement: “the story of the greatest single-handed capture ever made in the sea fight against rum-runners,” as Collier’s (magazine) declared.
This how the Kennedy family initially made their money. Joseph, his wife, and his children were always in church on Sunday.
Truly sad, disgraceful, disgusting and ever so hypocritical! Elitists at their best!
MadeMan: “It’s best to watch movies like Goodfellas, Godfather I and II”
In this case the most pertinent is Godfather III, very pertinent. It is about ecclesial issues.
Why did the Protecting Orthodox Church blog get pulled down? Hmm…
The Wayback Machine only has two captures, from last July.
https://web.archive.org/web/20190716211940/http://protectingorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/
The owner of that blog, whose name I do not know, was the fourth individual who died. Other than belonging to the GOA, the one thing these four individuals had in common is they were all trying to fight the corruption coming out of the GOA in the Chicago Metropolis.
It is being reported that a fourth priest has died…Father Joseph Mirowski. It is unclear to me whether he was the owner of the blog, or whether the owner of the blog is a fifth person to have died.
Mikhail, the fourth person is the owner of the blog. He was young. I think 25, but I could be wrong about this. He is not Father Joseph, as he was 71. As far as I know, there have been 4 total.
Sad. And chilling.
You insinuate foul play. You should consider the possibility that these events are the outworking of the justice of God.
Oh, the justice of God is coming.
Praying for you Gail. The teacher of St John Chrysostom, Livanios, exclaimed, “Woe, what type of ladies come from these Christians!” when speaking of St Johns mother. Livanios exclaimed these words after unsuccessfully attemping to proselytize St John to his own religion (idolatry) thus pointing to the reason for his failure.
Seems to me that you are of the same breed. Keep up the virtuous postings and be careful regarding judgment of others as I suspect that you are.
Recently, I was placed in a stadisia (hers – the abbess) because there were none available for an old man (me). I was one seat away from the bishop’s throne who was at the monastery for a youth conference. Being of the critical (judgmental) type I watched the bishop. He quietly sang all of the chants with the sisterhood (in Greek of course) and mouthed every reading with the priests and deacons during the liturgy; I found myself thinking, “this man is holier than I thought.” Then a thought came to me (not my own thought, not of the evil one obviously) which had to be from the Holy Spirit, “It is my job to deal with the bishops, it is your job to pray for them.” That was several months ago and I don’t believe that I have been critical of clergy (primarily) or other members of mankind since that event. Please pray for me that I will remain on course.
I appreciate the prayers, jacksson. Praying for our bishops is always warranted. Sometimes they need us to stand up so they can stand up if that makes any sense.
Wow! This article and the following comments are ridiculous. To suggest that the lives of these priests was part of a some clandestine plan carried by henchmen of a bishop is beyond absurd. Some bishops may not live up to our expectations but to identify them with a murder conspiracy is sick.
Nobody said they were murdered; only the circumstances are suspicious given what these 4 people had in common. And nobody suggested the bishops or anyone connected to the Church was involved. What I will say is more is coming out and you will hear it soon.
Four men, seemingly in good health, closely connected, all die at around the same time. In these days of viruses and bacterial food/water-poisonings etc, I would expect the medical profession to be curious – forbye any Chicago Rules question.
Orwellian doublethink! Above you said, “I think there are influences outside the Church who are also involved.” Which can only mean that you think the causes of death were something other than natural. Then you say, “Nobody said they were murdered.”
Baloney. That’s exactly what the apparatchiks of this blog are suggesting.
You’re conflating two different thoughts, said at two different times, about two different things. To be clear: I think there are influences outside the Church who are involved in this story. This story is about 4 men who were involved in uprooting corruption in the GOA.
M. Ross,
It would seem that yellow journalism is the name of the game at Monomakhos. It’s become nearly unreadable, chock full of innuendo, sensationalism and poorly researched postings.
I’m not sure who is feeding George and Gail this particular trash heap of a story, but it is completely ridiculous.
Anyone who knew Fr. G. Pappas personally would know that he wasn’t involved in “uprooting corruption” in the GOA. It’s preposterous. Fr. G. was a 100% GOA team player Hellenophile and a simplemind. That’s not a put down. He had a endearing personality, but he was no deep throat. He was also overweight and a lifelong medicated epileptic.
I could go on about the others, but what’s the point? The truth isn’t a popular commodity on Monomakhos these days.
Yes, Metropolitan Nathanael is roundly and thoroughly disliked for his authoritarianism, unpleasant personality, and complete lack of leadership skills, save for a few ladder climbers. No, he did not do have anything to do with the unfortunate deaths of these three priests (there aren’t four, unless you count Filandrinos who was older and retired).
WhoseWhistingNow, AKA M. Rose, or whoever you are, why would anyone believe an anonymous person, especially when you admit (1) you don’t know where we’re getting our information and (2) you don’t/can’t know everything about an individual whom you label as too “simpleminded” to have the wherewithal to fight corruption?
I for one don’t believe that Met Nathaniel had anything to do with these mysterious deaths. It should be clear that there are secular forces who are using the church for their own purposes.
Gail, BEHONEST. Murder is continually inferred.
JK, it is you who is making inferences here. Take what we said at face value, i.e. 4 men are dead and they all were investigating the GOA corruption. When we have more we will share more.
Maybe they died of a broken heart. These days that is frequently how I feel. (Congrats to both you, Gail, and George)
“Maybe they died of a broken heart.”
More often than people think the reason Priests repose with broken hearts is because of the behavior of the people and or the bishop(s). Their lives are more sacrificial than many people know. That’s what’s up right now, on a large scale with the E.P.’s works along with his co-conspirators.
The good news is love in Christ, other Priests from whatever jurisdiction are quick to arrive and comfort. Even when they are not physically present, surely in spirit they are with them because Christ is in their midst and always will be. I’m sure the Theotokas rejoices!
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.”
Most assuredly, in the end it works out most beautifully.
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise
Brendan, did you ever hear of the Borgia family in Rome and the suspicious circumstances under which they ruled the Roman Catholic church; two popes in that family tree and some cardinals? Power corrupts: https://www.thoughtco.com/the-borgias-infamous-family-of-renaissance-italy-1221656
Disturbing news from Chicago. Priests have been silenced, they are not talking even among themselves. There appear to be 4 recent deaths. People are dying faster than they did in Arkansas under the Clintons.
Take a look at this death notice. No reference to the Metropolis, military funeral only.
https://www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Father-Joseph–Mirowski?obId=9814943
There is a rumor that the widow banned Cool Met from the funeral.
Someone needs to get to the bottom of this before there are more deaths.
Only a Trisagion service for a priest? No mention of any service at the parish? Clergy funerals are normally occasions for mass gatherings of others priests and, of course, the local bishop.
It certainly does seem peculiar.
Irony: someone named Basil harassed my grieving mother multiple times regarding precisely the same issue not even 24 hours after my father’s death. Coincidence?
Highly unlikely.
Mr Mirowski, I cannot know who the person you are referring to is (although I very much doubt that it is “our” Basil). Speaking for myself, Gail, and I dare say many others on this blog, we are in total sympathy with you and to the extent that we can, grieve for your loss.
Please convey our condolences to your mother and the rest of your family. Your father sounded like a stand-up kind of guy. We need more priests like him, and the GOA is poorer for his loss.
May his memory be eternal.
My sincerest showing of thanks and gratitude to both you and Gail, George; for both your thoughts and efforts. I just got off the phone with my mother and brother, and we are all so very thankful.
My thanks; and my best to you!
Again, may his memory be eternal. (Just so you know, Gail and I prayed for his [and the other priests’] repose last night in our nightly devotions.)
Dearest George and Gail, I was delighted to hear of your marriage! I feel as though I was in some small way part of the event since I’m part of the community formed around the Monomakhos blog and news site. I wish you both many happy years ahead, a peaceful marriage, and an increase of devotion to Christ!
In reflecting on the past 17 years of marriage to my beloved husband, I will share that the best part of our day is right after dinner, at which time without fail we take our precious “Prologue of Ohrid” from its shelf, bring it with us to the couch, and take turns reading that day’s saints lives, reflections, commentary, and homily. It has been our solace, our refuge from a broken world. The power of the daily centering practice of reading from the Prologue has been transformative for our marriage. I wish to pass that practice along to you newly married lovebirds and all blog readers in hope it will work its wonders in your lives as well.
Again, congratulations!!!
Mr Mirowski I am Greek, and Orthodox living in Bulgaria now. I did not know yr fr although I know Chicago well, and church at Palos Heights. I know he was a good priest and man.
But beyond that anyone who treats yr family as u have been is less than human and a sorry person.
I just want to say in yr loss Ζωή σε σας και Αιωνία Μνήμη! Νίκος
Good heavens, banish the thought! My sympathies are with you and your family.
There are many people called Basil in this world, and I am no harasser of grieving families. I only discovered this when USA1 posted, while the death (and associated harassment) took place over a month ago.
I know George responded to you but I would like to give you my 2 cents.
The people who regularly post on this blog are not the kind of weak, inconsequential people who attack families who are suffering. Believe me, we know the type. They never use their real names so if he said his name was “Basil” you can pretty much rule that out. In addition, he (or maybe even she) would not be an individual who regularly contributes to a blog like this, because people like that cannot stand up to the scrutiny of thousands of readers. What you’re experiencing is a “drive-by” by someone who is capitalizing on this story and making a nuisance of himself.
The Basil on our blog, however, is trying to make sense out of what we wrote which is what our regular posters do. They look for independent evidence to either support or deny what we’re reporting and they let us hear about it when what we say doesn’t line up with something they’ve uncovered. George and I do that, too. We don’t just post everything people send to us, especially not with a story like this.
In this case, we have spoken with people who (1) knew your father was among those involved in this fight and (2) have seen independent evidence of it. As a parent, I can see why a father might not share what he was doing with his family to protect them or even because he knows they wouldn’t be sympathetic. George knows what this feels like, as he has experienced all kinds of grief from family and friends who are loyal to the GOA over the blog.
Again, if you are not some disgruntled supporter of the GOA using the name of a family member to discredit the blog (yes, there are people out there who would sink that low) you have our sincere sympathies. We see your father as a hero. But we owe it our regular contributors to protect them so they can freely express themselves without someone coming out of left field making them look like creepy people who would stalk a grieving family. So we’re not going to be posting any more comments from family members unless we can independently verify them, either by speaking with them directly or seeing some kind of evidence that they are who they say they are.
If this is really you, Matt, my sincerest apologies, but you can see my problem.
To answer your question, yes, it’s highly unlikely that it is a coincidence that your family had Basil’s words twisted and thrown in your mother’s face. But any one of the thousands of people who read this blog every day could have done it. Just think about how deranged someone would have to be to do something like this. I’ve had my disagreements with Basil but he is NOT that guy. If he were, we would be sending all his comments to trash.
Again, if this is really you, Matt, you have our heartfelt sympathies and want to encourage you to contact us directly if you have any further concerns. To us, your father was a bonafide hero.
Gail add me to yr words. Anybody who Acts in that way is unworthy to be human, let alone claim a spiritual level. Eternal memory to the good man and priest and ζωή σε σας, to the family.
Brendan, did you ever hear of the Borgia family in Rome and the suspicious circumstances under which they ruled the Roman Catholic church; two popes in that family tree and some cardinals? Power corrupts: https://www.thoughtco.com/the-borgias-infamous-family-of-renaissance-italy-1221656
I have read “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli. I know how it goes.
Lord Acton’s dictum more exactly reads: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
The deep state and the demonic left appear to be playing hard ball, obviously because they have their agenda, which they are doubling down on. I am posting a scenario here which is possible. I employ christian scripture and valid scientific predictions. Trump scored a massive vote getting ploy to mobilize the Christian right for this upcoming election. The left will never get 20 republican senators to vote to impeach Trump, unless the deep state orders it.. I propose that the deep state wants to keep Trump where he is. His popularity with the pro-life right is very impressive, as the March for Life showed on the 24th.Nevertheless, Trump is claiming global warming is an invalid concern.Nothing could be farther from the Truth. I researched the potential for an exponential release of ESAS methane culminating with the first Arctic blue Ocean event in July 2020, and it’s claim that a 10C increase in global world temperature which would result in ecosystems that produce most of mankind’s agriculture. This leads to Global mass extinction of humanity.
Global warming can be stopped in a year by geoengineering by a caldera eruption, such as Yellowstone. The mass of ash would cover the earth, where the sun will not shine and the moon will not give it’s light, Some of you will recognize this infallible scripture. The rich and the generals are building their underground shelters in caves already in preparation for darkening of the sun. This also solves the agenda 30 population decrease problem for them. As the rich are psychopathic culpably ignorant servants of Satan, this scenario is acceptable to them.
The Christ returns as the lightning shine in the East unto the West. All the tribes of men will weep, when they see this. The Christ orders that all the generals and rich
men in their caves be brought before Him and slain, because they would not allow Him to rule over them. It seems strange to me, is the Trump of God played, to counter the Trump of Satan, the antichrist. Is this a clue? The left has a Trump card they have not played yet, the mark of the beast, which eliminate all Christian earthly power because they can’t buy or sell. because they will refuse to accept the mark of the beast in obedience to Jesus Christ. I point out the possibility that Trump will order the mark and cause all great and small to receive it. Making American great again. I realize this is all speculation on my part, but the scripture uses the word Trump in an extraordinary coincidence with the reality of the state of affairs we face today. Remember this but keep it in the back of your mind, unless unless reality proves it correct. G5 is near fully operational.
Michael, interesting that you mention 5G. Very possible that there is connection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=AGkU7HmAAAc&feature=youtu.be
Michael: ‘I realize this is all speculation on my part…’
Mark 13:32: “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no,
not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”
Relax. I know it’s wild out there, but do try to relax.
Que sera, sera. Meanwhile, here is another Trump:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Rh9zRdXxA
PS: “The rhythm and tempo of this song is often used to teach
people the rhythm of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The recommended rate for CPR is 100 chest compressions per minute.”
[Wikipedia]
On top of this, China has built and deployed a fully functioning facial recognition system that can identity a face from a database of a billion in under a second, and all of this is tied to a social credit score which the government can and will use at will to restrict access to your bank account and credit cards. China has largely gone cashless as all payments are done with your phone. The elites already have a database of 3 billion faces that we gave them with our smartphones and facebook. THIS MEANS the infrastructure to implement the mark is already here, tested and in place. The only thing left is the reason to do it.
I think if you are over 55 it will be much more difficult for you to realize that the government and the political parties you still support were behind this, and are behind this now, particularly if you yourself have benefited financially from the current economic system. If you are still arguing for Trump (or the Democrats) or the Constitution or whatever, you don’t get it yet.
Don’t know so much about the other traditions, but in the OCA/ROCOR traditions which obviously are the grandchildren of the original Russian mission to America, bishops nearly *always* preside at the funerals of their priests. And when they cannot, they most definitely always send a personal representative. Because Orthodoxy in America remains a fairly small mission, the bishop-to-priest ratio is small enough that this can almost always happen.
Fr Alexander Schmemann was fond of saying that a priest’s funeral is glorious – “the opening of heaven” – a Paschal celebration.
Αιώνια η μνήμη! to these GOA clergy. If the Chicago Metropolis doesn’t have the bishop or his personal representative preside at their funeral celebrations, it’s akin to them saying “F-you” to their own clergy. (Pardon le français.) The GOA clearly abides by the philosophy of the ECUSA – “we’re going to eat ourselves alive till we no longer exist, and we like it!” What lunacy.
I agree with the others – if anyone believes that these 4 deaths in close proximity of time was mere “coincidence,” I have some beachfront property in Arizona to sell you. And I ain’t talking at Lake Havasu.