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Orthodox News - January 11-12, 2001

Dr. Valerie Karras exchanges letters
with Justine Frangouli-Argyris,

author of the new biography on former GOA Archbishop Spyridon

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Letter from Dr. Valerie Karras to Seaburn Publishers

January 11, 2001

Seaburn Publishers
Long Island City, New York

Dear Editor:

Imagine my surprise to learn of a book which purports to disclose "the whole truth about Archbishop Spyridon's tenure in America" and which has received "excellent reviews in the Greek Press". (By the way, the word "press", when referring to the news media, is not capitalized in standard American English. If, on the other hand, you meant in your press release to refer to the newspaper, the *Greek Press*, then the title of the paper should be italicized or underlined.)

The reason for my surprise is that Justine Frangouli-Argyri, the "leading Greek journalist" who apparently authored this book, never contacted either me or any of a number of other persons who played vital roles in the events of the Archdiocese from July 1997 to August 1999.

Perhaps Greek journalistic practices and ethics differ from their American counterparts. In this country, respected and responsible journalists make the effort to interview all parties involved in a story, and then present in their reporting the various personal recollections and interpretations while attempting fairly to assess the conflicting accounts.

I have no interest in wasting my money on a book which obviously was written by someone with no real interest in the Truth, much less the truth.

Valerie A. Karras, Th.D.
Assistant Professor of Greek Patristics
Department of Theological Studies
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, Missouri

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Letter from Justine Frangoulis-Argyris to Dr. Valerie Karras

January 11, 2001

Dear Ms Karras,

First, I' d like to make clear that I, the author of the book "I monaxia enos asymbibastou", have nothing to do with the advertising text.

Secondly, I must inform you that there was not any need of more information about your acts, since I had access to all your letters and views of the period.

"Leading Greek journalists" who have done interviews with Hillary Clinton and a big number of renowned politicians of the century, know how to do their work in a very professional way.

I would advice you not to act emotionally, but rather professionally!

Thanks,
Justine Frangoulis-Argyris

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Letter from Dr. Valerie Karras to Justine Frangoulis-Argyris

January 12, 2001

Ms. Frangoulis-Argyris,

Thank you for your prompt reply to my e-mail to your publisher.

I do not believe that my letter either was emotional or was the product of emotion. Rather, my concern is your professionalism, or lack thereof, and what the negative consequences are likely to be for readers of your work, who will mistakenly believe that they now are being told "the whole story" of Archbishop Spyridon's tenure in the U.S. Your response has not allayed that concern one bit.

I disagree strongly with you that working from published material is adequate journalistic research. Garnering an interview with a person of note is no guarantee of professionalism or respect. I know quite a few journalists, including several who write for national media organs (e.g., wire services and national newsmagazines). *None* of them would rely exclusively on published -- or even private -- written material when the possibility exists to interview not only the person(s) in question, but other persons who may provide background. By limiting yourself to my public writings, you most certainly did *not* have "access to all ... [my] views of the period."

I stand by the sentiments I expressed in my earlier letter to your publisher.

Sincerely,
Valerie A. Karras, Th.D.
Assistant Professor of Greek Patristics
Department of Theological Studies
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, Missouri

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Second Letter from Justine Frangoulis-Argyris to Dr. Valerie Karras

Orthodox Truth: In spite of an intense exchange of emails between Justine Frangoulis-Argyris and Orthodox Christian News Service Managing Editor Stephen P. Angelides, San Francisco Ca, the Orthodox News refused to publish the second letter from Justine Frangoulis-Argyris to Dr. Valerie Karras, dated January 12, 2001.


[ Orthodox Truth | www.orthodox-truth.bugs3.com/art_44.html  -  January 11-12, 2001 ]