Archbishop Intervenes in Utah

Theodore Kalmoukos

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Archbishop Demetrios of America sent two emissaries – Bishops Andonios of Fasiane, chancellor of the Archdiocese, and Sebastian of Zela, chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod – to Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver to tell him to end the issue affecting the greater Salt Lake City Greek Orthodox community immediately. TNH has learned that the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople has become increasingly concerned about divisive situations in Archdiocese parishes caused by hierarchs – as is the case in the Metropolises of Denver and Boston – and Patriarch Bartholomew reportedly questions why Demetrios does not intervene to save the parishes. Isaiah apparently has confused the situation even more so by having appointed a new parish council for 2012 through “correspondence,” marking the third consecutive year that parish’s council has been chosen without the process of elections.

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February 09, 2012

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1. Dionysios Markopoulos wrote on February 10, 2012 12:05 AM	It would have been so much easier to respect the wishes of the people. What a mess.

2. Niko Seretis wrote on February 10, 2012 11:41 AM	Both Demetrios and Isaiah should retire from their positions and serve the community as priests and nothing more. Our church needs strong leaders and it is a shame the Patriarch had to jump start the Archbishop to actually do something in Utah.

3. Yannis Armaou wrote on February 12, 2012 11:42 PM	2-6-2012 "Defendants(the appointed parish council) are likewise mistaken in their claim that the Church(the Eparchial Synod)should be the one to decide,as a matter of law,whether or not the local parish is governed by the Articles and By-Laws filed with this State.While that particular issue has not yet properly come before the Court,it would be within the Court's purview to decide it".Judge Howard,Fourth Judicial District Court ,Utah County,State of Utah.http://takeourchurchback. blogspot.com/

4. Yannis Armaou wrote on February 13, 2012 8:08 PM	Monday, February 13, 2012 ELECTIONS! As per the directive of the Special General Assembly on January 29, 2012, elections for 15 directors of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake, a Utah nonprofit corporation, will take place on Sunday February 26, 2012 at both Churches following Divine Liturgy and until 4.00PM We encourage you and recommend that you all come and vote.

5. Yannis Armaou wrote on February 13, 2012 8:10 PM	http://takeourchurchback.blogs pot.com/

6. Peter Lagios wrote on February 14, 2012 1:11 PM	Churches should grow and expand according to the needs of the faithful and geographical necessity and not by decrees from above. A central church of 1,300 members seems ripe for such an expansion. The term "split" should not be used, but rather replaced by "building" that is building a new parish. This kind of growth should be considered a blessing and not a problem. The voices of the laity should not be ignored as is so often the case.

7. Dionysios Markopoulos wrote on February 14, 2012 2:30 PM	It's hard to know what really happened there. But at this point, it seems this whole situation has deteriorated into a big mess. Blame should probably be spread evenly between the local bishop, who by the way is generally known as a decent man, and the laity who have it appears gone to the courts.

8. Yannis Armaou wrote on February 15, 2012 3:14 PM	The laity have gone to the courts only after BEGGING the generally known as a decent man local bishop, to hold a general assembly and elections. Elections have not been held in three years and the community has been operating not only without a general assembly but without a budget for the same amount of time. The generally known as a decent man local bishop, refuses even today to allow either. These facts are readily available on the blog and are a matter of public record. http://takeourchurchback.blogs pot.com/

9. Joseph Kalodimos wrote on February 22, 2012 1:13 AM	Mr Markopoulos, forgive me for saying this but you should refrain from commenting on who is to blame since you understanding of the situation is limited. Also, your polarization of the "decent" Bishop and the litigious "laity" is yet another flaw in your inaccurate analysis of what you think you "know". Summarily, if the priests and hierarchy were Pastors focusing on ministering, ministry, the cycle of the services of the Church rather than focusing on the control of the fixed and liquid assets of the Church then, these issues would seldom arise.

10. Dionysios Markopoulos wrote on February 22, 2012 3:42 PM	I don't know who you are Mr. Kalodimos or what your role is in this whole affair. I will most certainly not refrain from expressing my opinion on this and other issues. I am a paid member of my local parish and as such a paid member of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and have a right to voice my opinion on this and other issues affecting the church in America. I happen to have personal experience of Metropolitan Isaiah and I know many people who have the same personal experience with him and the general consensus among us is that Metropolitan Isaih is a decent man. During his tenure as Archdiocese Chancellor, he was highly respected by the local clergy. I also stated that this issue should not have been allowed to deteriorate to lawsuits and dissention. The church is not a club or an association. The church is a way of life governed by strict canons clearly and expressly stating the bishop is the church and the church is the bishop. This is the Orthodox teaching of the Church and of the bishop as apostle in his diocese. If you or others have a different opnion of the Church or of the bishop then you may want to look into the various Protestant denominations who hold to different teachings. I hope your situation gets resolved soon as I and many Orthodox Christians I know are tired of such scandals popping up every so often miring the good name of the Orthodox Church in America.

11. Joseph Kalodimos wrote on February 23, 2012 1:25 AM	Mr Markopoulos, you are all over the place with your response. Glad you're paid up. I didn't realize you had to be to express an opinion with TNH. Also, thanks for the lesson on the Bishop and the Church. I'm guessing this supports your argument again of the Bishop's decency which he so aptly demonstrated in the Dallas community. Truly an impressive demonstration of pastoral leadership which St. Ignatios would be proud of don't you agree? Lastly, your overwhelming lack of piety and love was fully expressed to those who certainly aren't as well versed as you are about the Church, Canons and Presumably Church Fathers by telling those with an antithetical view to become a Protestant. You are too kind.
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