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Voithia - July 8, 1999

A translation of the Greek article which appeared
in the Athens newspaper VIMA, July 4, 1999

Who dispute Archbishop Spyridon, why, and what the Patriarch intends to do

What Is Happening in the Church of America

The Greek lobby and the rival groups

By P. Panagiotou and Maria Antoniadou

"Your All Holiness, bless
Developments in recent days oblige us to write to you again and to protest strongly the so-called resignation of our beloved Fr. George Passias, Chancellor of the Sacred Archdiocese, and the expected resignation of our much respected Archbishop Spyridon. As if these things are not enough, your own person is exposed as well when the papers write that you are receiving vast amounts from people who regrettably belong to para-ecclesiastical groups and, rather than looking to the projection and glory of Orthodoxy, instead lower it to the level of bargaining and, because they have some money, they think that they can buy persons and consciences. We hope that you will act according to your Christian duty for the glory of our Triune God, the pacification of the Church, and the return to right order. Let us stand well, let us stand in awe.
With respect, we kiss your right hand."

The above is one of tens of virtually form letters received by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew from.... "indignant" Greek Americans. Similar letters flood the offices of mass media. These moves are not accidental since in previous days proclamations were circulated in churches of America calling upon Greek Americans to support the Archbishop and Fr. G. Passias. These proclamations informed Greek Americans of the fax numbers of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek papers.

What is happening? Archbishop Spyridon of America is being disputed. Who are those who dispute him? For what reasons? And, on the other side, does he not have any supporters?

The Archdiocese of America is one of those Churches which, because of its geographic importance, concern the Ecumenical Patriarchate under whose jurisdiction it belongs, and of course concern the Greek foreign office because the faithful are of Greek extraction. A series of problems arising in the last decade and intensifying in recent times indicate, as all sides declare, that decisions must be made as soon as possible.

In what follows "The Vima" will describe the whole situation currently prevailing in America, the open fronts, the attacks against Archbishop Spyridon and the counter attacks he launches, as well as the objectives of all sides during this transitional period, as affairs indicate, in the Orthodox community of the USA.

The Ephraimites: Previously a monk of the Holy Mountain, Ephraim has gathered around him a group of faithful who literally drink "water in his name." When the Ecumenical Patriarch in 1997 visited Arizona in the United States, he experienced an unexpected surprise. The magnificent welcome offered by Hegumen Ephraim at his monastery apparently shocked, rather than pleased, the Patriarch because the hundreds of women who had gathered to welcome him wore kerchiefs on their heads in cosmopolitan America. Similar kerchiefs were worn by all the young girls who had finished grade school. For Patriarch Bartholomew, who fights against fundamentalism, the specter was unexpectedly displeasing.

The problem is an old one. Monk Ephraim, who was connected to the Russian schismatic Church in America, has caused and continues to cause a permanent headache at the Fanar. When Patriarch Bartholomew confirmed what was happening at close range, he asked of Archbishop Spyridon the immediate removal of Fr. George Passias (who appears to belong to the Ephraimite group) from his position at the Archdiocese.

Two years had to pass before the Patriarch's "exhortation" could be fulfilled by an Archbishop whose chosen policies have no relation to the tactics of the Ephraimites.

Leadership 100: One of the visionary plans of Archbishop Iakovos which was realized by Fr. Alexander Karloutsos. This is an "organization" in which the majority of prominent Greek Americans participate.

Tsakopoulos, Spanos, Tzaharis, Catsimatidis and Andrew Athens are some of the "leaders" of the Greek community who hold completely opposite political positions. A few, such as John Catsimatidis, back the current Archbishop, whereas the overwhelming majority prefers to support directly the Fanar.

The previous Old Calendarists: Honorary Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana and the assistant bishop Vikentios are two hierarchs who came under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate only two years ago. They belonged to the Old Calendar and joined the sphere of the Ecumenical Patriarchate after many negotiations.

They live in New York, in Astoria. Thousands of faithful flood the Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou from throughout America. They have supported Archbishop Spyridon in extremely difficult times. The possible removal of Archbishop Spyridon would not especially disturb them since they come under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Nevertheless, a new Archbishop unfriendly to them could possibly create problems for them in the future.

The clerics: All the clerics, whether they belong to the celibate or married orders, indicate that they are following and have opinions regarding what is going on in the Archdiocese. Nevertheless, they are not ones who can pull the strings.

Father Alex Karloutsos: When Archbishop Spyridon was elected Archbishop, certain malicious persons asked themselves: "Finally who is Archbishop, Father Alex or Spyridon?"

However, independent of what these malicious persons said or implied, the collision between Spyridon and A. Karloutsos was powerful. Fr. Karloutsos' contribution to the Greek community is great. He is regarded as the closest friend the Ecumenical Patriarch has in the United States.

Father Robert Stephanopoulos, father of George Stephanopoulos: Father Robert or Haralambos was head priest of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The Church is located on 79th Street, near the famous 5th Avenue of New York. Former princes and known businessmen are churched there. When the Archbishop decided that the head cleric was to be an archimandrite, an especially powerful collision occurred.

The organizations: From the time Archbishop Spyridon was elected Archbishop, organizations sprung up which had specific objectives from the outset.

Greek Orthodox American Leaders: This is a group which appeared a year after the election of Archbishop Spyridon. Their main objective, as they note, is the removal of Archbishop Spyridon from his throne by reason of his inadequacy.

Hellenic American Leaders & Organizations: this was created by the Archbishop himself. It convened only last week, its chief objective being the coordination of specific celebrations which will take place in New York on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the occupation of Cyprus, but chiefly to reverse it.

Athenagoras: The bust of this Patriarch is featured at the entry of the Archdiocese of America. His home is there, as it appears. Archbishop of America from Kerkyra and later Ecumenical Patriarch, Athenagoras was the hierarch who set the foundations for the creation of the Archdiocese of America, powerful even today. He first arrived in the United States at a difficult time for Hellenism and Orthodoxy, but nevertheless was able to unite the fragmented Greek community.

The catastrophe of Asia Minor and the successive plebiscites on the political question debated in Greece had divided even the Greeks of America to the extent that, indeed, they went to different churches separated into two categories, Venizelists and royalists.

Athenagoras was the hierarch who set the bases for the development of the Greek community and its growth years later to one of the strongest lobbies in the United States. His relations with American politicians was the decisive "ace in his sleeve" when he declared his candidacy for the Patriarchal throne. Indeed, when he was elected Patriarch, he went to Constantinople with the airplane of the then President Harry Truman.

Iakovos: From the moment of his election, he showed how visionary he was. He became known throughout the world when the American magazine "LIFE" published on its front page Martin Luther King leading a gigantic crowd. Next to the assassinated great leader of blacks in America was Archbishop Iakovos of America.

His election to the archiepiscopal throne resulted from the personal selection of the then Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras who did not heed the Fanariot metropolitans who contended that the most appropriate person for that position was Metropolitan Meliton of Chalcedon, spiritual father of the current Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

For many, Iakovos had politics in his blood; an archbishop of vast range, as it is said, but mainly a politician. He went as far as offering the traditional prayer when George Bush was sworn as president of the United States. He was the personal friend of many American presidents and a regular visitor at the White House.

As hierarch he endeavored to promote the Archdiocese and succeeded in creating Orthodox churches and philoptochos chapters in every corner of the American land. Today, at age 85, Iakovos characterizes as prattles whatever denigrating comments were heard or written in the Greek press suggestively pointing to the well-known tag "CIA-kovos."

During the last years of his tenure, his relations to the Fanar continuously deteriorated reaching the worst possible stage. He tried to be elected Ecumenical Patriarch but was not successful. Much later, in August 1995, and after extensive backstage maneuvers, he submitted his resignation.

The supporters of the current Archbishop accuse him of being one of those who back the attacks launched against Archbishop Spyridon.

In his days the Orthodox Church in America was recognized as a major faith by the American nation.

Spyridon: When in 1996 the then Metropolitan of Italy was elected Archbishop of America, his supporters declared that he had three great advantages as compared to other hierarchical candidates: first, he was a Greek American; second, he was a graduate of the Halki Theological School, and third, he was absolutely loyal to the Ecumenical Throne.

Since then only three years have passed, and the hopeful Archbishop encounters the most difficult moments of his hierarchical ministry. Scenarios regarding his expulsion constitute one of the main topics of discussion among the Orthodox and in the American press.

Everybody tries to comprehend what circumstances and what erroneous tactics, as well, have brought Spyridon to the current difficult position. Many say that his spontaneous, layman's character does not befit his position. In any case, independent of his character, Archbishop Spyridon succeeded in three years on the Archiepiscopal Throne to create problems at the Theological School of Boston forcing the removal of faculty known to the world-wide Orthodox community. He did not heed the Ecumenical Patriarchate asking him for the immediate removal of George Passias, until recently General Hierarchical Vicar of the Archdiocese. He collided with the five Metropolitans of America who wound up requesting his resignation. And finally, he reached the point of colliding with the closest friend of the Patriarch in America, Fr. Alexander Karloutsos.

The power base: The first Greek Orthodox community was established in New Orleans in 1865. Today, 134 years later, there are 535 parishes, 250 young adult groups (ages 18-35), 450 youth groups, 100 groups for children ages 8-12, and 50 groups for children ages 6-8 in America. As part of its "power base" the Archdiocese of America additionally maintains colleges and schools, including the Theological School of Boston.

[ Voithia - www.voithia.org/content/vima070499a.htm - July 8, 1999 ]