BOSTON – Metropolitan Methodios of has continued his subversive movements behind the scenes during the past few weeks in the Metropolis of Boston despite the fact that the Ecumenical Patriarchate had imposed on him the very harsh and serious penance of suspension from every liturgical service from October 8 until December 25, 2020. On Christmas Day Methodios officiated at the Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Cathedral of Boston assisted by his chancellor Fr. Theodore Barbas and the presiding priest of the Cathedral Fr. Demetrios Tonias.

Fr. Tom Chininis, president of the Metropolis of Boston Clergy Association and Theodore Barbas organized meetings with groups of priests in various districts, states and cities “in order to have a cup of coffee” or “to have lunch” to inform them about the “injustice” that was done to the Metropolitan and thus creating climate of malaise against the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Elpidophoros. In the 37 years of his archpastorship in Boston Methodios didn’t meet with his priests in groups as he does now.

The plan for these subversive activities and insurgencies was orchestrated one week after the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on October 8, 2020 which placed Methodios on suspension and removed Metropolitan Evangelos from the Metropolis of New Jersey and elected him Metropolitan of Sardis. On October 16 Fr. Chininis sent an e-mail to the priests of the Metropolis of Boston stating the following:

“Good morning brothers, Just a couple of thoughts and updates … Now for the fun part … I think that it would be great for us, over the next few weeks, to invite the Metropolitan to meet with the brothers in each district … maybe for lunch or coffee. I know it will be a challenge with COVID issues. Be creative. We don’t have to go to restaurants [and] as it is becoming more difficult to sit outside, maybe we can bring the restaurant to a parish and sit a large room. He has wanted to meet with the district clergy in person, maybe this can be the time. Benefits to everyone.

Keep me posted. If I can help in any way, let me know.

Adelphikos, Tom

Fr. Tom Chininis

Transfiguration Church

Lowell, MA.”

It is reminded here that Fr. Chininis is the presiding priest of the Transfiguration parish in Lowell Massachusetts.

The National Herald has learned that Metropolitan Methodios met with small groups of priests in various areas. For example, they met in Peabody, MA where the parish of St. Vasilios is located. Present at the meeting were Metropolitan Methodios, chancellor Barbas, Fr. Christopher Foustoukos, presiding priest of the parish, Fr. John Michailidis, assistant priest in Peabody, Fr. Costin Popescu from the Annunciation parish of Newburyport, and Archimandrite Makarios Niakaros from Holy Apostle’s Peter and Paul of Haverhill.

Similar meetings were organized in the Springfield, MA area and in Cranston, RI.

Priests who spoke to TNH with the condition that their identity not revealed because they are afraid that Methodios and Barbas will retaliate against them said that Metropolitan Methodios is presenting himself as “a victim,” saying that he doesn’t know the reasons why the Ecumenical Patriarchate placed him on suspension. He also said that they brought down Evangelos because he had some disagreements with Elpidophoros. Methodios also tells the priests that the charter of the Archdiocese shouldn’t be changed. It is reminded here that the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided on October 8, 2020 to revise the charter of the Archdiocese.