41st Biennial Clergy- Laity Congress Was Assembled in Phoenix

Theodore Kalmoukos

The 41st Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America commenced yesterday with the Orthros service and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy held in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of Phoenix, Arizona, with approximately 1,200 faithful in attendance. The Holy Metropolis of San Francisco and the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Phoenix are the hosts of this 41st Congress.

PHOENIX, AZ – The 41st Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened in Phoenix, AZ closely monitored and guarded because of the recent alleged suicide of 27 year-old novice monk Scott (Ioannis) Nevins outside the St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence. Archbishop Demetrios of America as well as Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco were closed guarded by security men as it was the premises of Marriot Hotel, where the Congress had been taking place. Archdiocese officials had taken all measures to avoid any discussion among the clergy and the laity participants about the alleged suicide as well as the monasteries established and controlled by elder Ephraim, former abbot of the Philotheou monastery of Mt. Athos in Greece. No official announcement has been issued yet by the police authorities, nor have the results of the autopsy been made public.

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July 05, 2012

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1. Melanie Sakoda wrote on July 06, 2012 6:52 PM	"The 41st Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened in Phoenix, AZ closely monitored and guarded because of the recent alleged suicide of 27 year-old novice monk Scott (Ioannis) Nevins outside the St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence." Seriously??? What on earth did the powers that be imagine threatened them? Were they afraid that someone would ask questions about the elephant in the meeting room, i.e., Scott Nevins untimely death? Melanie Jula Sakoda

2. Paul Sogotis wrote on July 06, 2012 8:53 PM	I cannot believe there were security guards.. Just THN hype..

3. Argyrakis VAN wrote on July 07, 2012 7:18 AM	I do believe that "Archdiocese officials had taken all measures to avoid any discussion among the clergy and the laity participants about the alleged suicide as well as the monasteries established and controlled by elder Ephraim, former abbot of the Philotheou monastery of Mt. Athos in Greece." The biggest problem I see with a young man going to these monasteries is that they don't prepare him for real life outside the monastery should he decide to leave. And there is a lack of understanding of mental illness and how it should be treated. The monasteries don't believe in prescription medication for these illnesses. I have said before, I believe mental illness is widespread at the monastery in Florence and they way they do things there only exacerbates the situation. Ephraim may be an elder, but a psychiatrist he is not.

4. Argyrakis VAN wrote on July 07, 2012 11:21 AM	God Bless Theodore Kalmoukos!

5. Argyrakis VAN wrote on July 07, 2012 11:37 AM	The article states "The 41st Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened in Phoenix, AZ closely monitored and guarded because of the recent alleged suicide of 27 year-old novice monk Scott (Ioannis) Nevins outside the St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence." Are they thinking that maybe another disgruntled novice monk maybe out to do them in. The GOC is in decline and in real trouble trying to bring in new members. Not dealing with the Ephraimite issue is only going to alienate more young people. God Bless Us All.
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