BOSTON – The clergy of the Metropolis of Boston organized subversive activities and insurgencies with the full knowledge and involvement of Metropolitan Methodios and his close associates, as is shown clearly in their written communications which are at the possession of The National Herald, as well as by information acquired from within.

It is reminded here that the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in its last meeting on Thursday October 8, 2020 imposed on Metropolitan Methodios the very harsh and serious penance of suspension from every liturgical service until December 25, 2020. It means that Methodios cannot officiate at Divine Liturgies, Vesper Services, or any sacraments of the Church or in any other Church Service not only within the boundaries of the Metropolis of Boston, but in the entire Archdiocese of America, as well as the entire World. It is the most severe punishment that could be imposed on a hierarch, although as TNH has previously revealed, during the same Synodic meeting there was discussion even about defrocking Methodios.

Also at the same meeting the Holy Synod removed Metropolitan Evangelos form the Metropolis of New Jersey, where the served for almost seventeen years, and transferred him by election to the Metropolis of Sardis in Asia Minor. Last week Evangelos traveled to the Ecumenical Patriarchate where he participated in the Lesser and Greater Minima services and accepted “the order” of the Church – το επίταγμα της Εκκλησίας.

In an email sent by Fr. Tom Chininis, president of the Metropolis of Boston Clergy Association on November 24, 2020, to the priests of the Metropolis of Boston regarding the writing of a letter to Archbishop Elpidophoros and the members of the Eparchial Synod, it is seen very clearly that Methodios not only did not stop the priests of getting involved in subversive activities, he spent time dealing with issues which are not their responsibility. He participated in the entire process of the editing of the drafts of the letters, which at the end were not sent because Methodios and also the priests are afraid of possible repercussions.

From the Vesper Service at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary parish in Dracut Massachusetts. Shown are Fr. Athanasios Chininis, Fr. Theodoros Stylianopoulos, and Deacon John Vaporis. (Photo: TNH Archive/Theodore Kalmoukos)

Specifically, Fr. Chininis, among other things, wrote in his email to his fellow priests on November 24, 2020 that “this past week I visited with His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios to discuss our brotherhood letter to the Archbishop and the Eparchial Synod. He very much appreciated the letter and the support offered by the 63 clergy of the Metropolis who signed the letter. After prayerful consideration and with much thought he felt that it would be better that the letter not be sent.”

Fr. Chininis, who is the presiding priest at the Transfiguration parish in Lowell, MA, revealed that “as I stated several times during our meetings, we had shared the edited versions of the letter with His Eminence throughout the process.” In essence, Fr. Chininis reveals very vividly that Metropolitan Methodios was a collaborator in the subversive activity.

Fr. Chininis also revealed that they will continue their subversive acts against Archbishop Elpidophoros, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate regarding the revocation of the charter of the Archdiocese. He wrote in his e-mail to the priests that “during my discussion with His Eminence we agreed that even though we will not send the letter, as a brotherhood we should continue serious discussion about the direction and the future of the Archdiocese and the new charter.”

The National Herald is in a position to know that pressure was exerted by certain priests on their fellow priests to sign the letter. Specifically, TNH has learned that Fr. Basil Arabatzis from St. Demetrios parish in Saco, ME and also Fr. Costin Popescu from the Annunciation parish in Newburyport, MA were calling the priests who refused to sign the letter, pressing them to do so.

Also, two laymen were conscripted from the Massachusetts area who signed prepared libelous letters against Archbishop Elpidophoros and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew regarding the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of October 8, 2020, and in defense of Metropolitan Methodios.

The entire email of Fr. Tom Chininis follows:

“Dear Brothers,

This past week I visited with His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios to discuss our brotherhood letter to the Archbishop and Eparchial Synod. He very much appreciated the letter and the support offered by the 63 clergy of the Metropolis who signed the letter. After prayerful consideration and with much thought he felt that it would be better that the letter not be sent.

As I stated several times during our meetings, we had shared the edited versions of the letter with His Eminence throughout the process. He very much appreciated the sentiments expressed in the letter and the seriousness and care in which it was prepared, but in the end he had concerns about how it would be received and the possible repercussions. During the discussions with the clergy, we shared the same concern and agreed that we should not send the letter if this were the case.

During my discussion with His Eminence we agreed that even though we will not send the letter, as a brotherhood we should continue serious discussion about the direction and the future of the Archdiocese and the new charter.

I would like to thank all of you who participated in the zoom calls and who contacted me directly.  I especially would like to thank Fr. Stylianopoulos who initially drafted the letter as well as those who helped prepare the final draft. Though we will not send this letter, the discussions we held, I believe, were honest, serious, thoughtful and carried out respectfully with brotherly affection. This was a true testament to the strength and faithfulness of our brotherhood.

I pray you and your family will enjoy a blessed, and healthy, Thanksgiving.

Adelphikos,

Fr. Tom Chininis.”