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The (Lowell) Sun - July 17, 1999

GREEK ORTHODOX DISPUTE

Lowell church withholds archdiocese contributions

Sun Staff And News Services

At least one local Greek Orthodox church is withholding its monthly contribution to the archdiocese until the U.S. archbishop works out his problems.

The Parish Council of the Transfiguration Church in Lowell voted last week to hold all monthly donations in escrow until Archbishop Spyridon is either removed from his post and tranferred elsewhere, or resigns entirely.

“This is clearly not a happy time,” said Parish Council President Nicholas Pappas. “We’re not gloating or feeling satisfaction in Inside Today’s Sun doing this. This is a sad time for the parishes and the diocese.” Church leaders across the nation have given the archbishop one month to sort out his differences with the Greek Orthodox church.

Several U.S. parishes have called for the removal of Archbishop Spyridon, accusing him of being out of touch with the Greek American community.

Many had expected that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, would replace Spyridon following a meeting of the [...]

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[ The Sun - July 17, 1999 - pp. 1 and 4 ]