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Published by
National Herald,
March 3 2004
Interview given to
the National Herald in Tarpon Springs, Florida, by
his Eminence, Spyridon, former Archbishop of
America, as published in the Greek Edition of the
National Herald on March 3, 2004.
Translation by Efthymios G. Ponticas
Former Archbishop of America Spyridon during his
interview with “N.H.”, although he initially
acknowledged it was too early for anyone to judge
if the decision to expand the Holy Synod is
historical, still expressed reservations that the
decision was taken not for “the establishment of
Synodic rule, but to deal with certain problems in
the Patriarchate’s relationship with the Church of
Greece, and specifically with the subject of the
New Lands”.
By the same token, he stresses that “this
development illustrates that there existed no
Turkish prohibitive order on the subject of naming
of hierarchs” and that “it was an internal affair
of the Patriarchate, which cost the Patriarchate
itself dearly”.
With regard to the OCL-Archdiocese court dispute
on the subject of the Charter, he emphasized that
“no one can doubt that the plaintiffs are right at
this time, since the 1977 Charter made provision
for approval by the Clergy-Laity Congress in the
matter of modification or establishment of new
Charter”.
Asked about the present reorganization of the
Archdiocese, he stressed that “metroplitanization”
is not the solution to the ecclesiastical problems
in America”, and among others stressed that “the
establishment of metropolitanates and the division
of the Archdiocese into ten sections harms the
unity of the Archdiocese of America”.
The entire text of the interview is as follows:
“National Herald”: What is your
purpose for coming to this Greek Village?
Archbishop Spyridon: I came
exclusively and only to visit my faithful friend,
Mihali Kandounia, who is one of the great
benefactors of the Archdiocese and the
Patriarchate, is a member of the Archdiocesan
Council and active for the common good. This
visit to Tarpon took place five years after I came
as Archbishop in 1999 for the Theofanion Holiday.
“N.H.”: How do you see the
currently reshaped state of affairs of Orthodoxy
in America and in general in the whole world?
Spyridon: An acute observer
would note that that which is missing primarily in
Orthodoxy is the internal dialogue between the
Orthodox Churches.
This dialogue is sought after by
various leaders of the Orthodox Churches and has
not materialized because perhaps each meeting and
dialogue might provide a reason to discuss
subjects that should not be discussed during that
time, subjects that are not considered timely.
In general, Orthodoxy must face many
problems, such as the youth issue, the
proselytizers, and issues which arise from new
conditions in which the Orthodox Church exists,
lives and grows.
Additionally, a chief characteristic
of our existence and harmony are the
jurisdictional criteria of the past which perhaps
should be valued more so they may be confronted,
to openly discuss all the problems which all the
churches face, regardless of the jurisdiction and
Patriarchate to which they belong.
I would say therefore that the main
element from which a renewal of our Church, a
revitalization of the Orthodox love, could begin
would be an internal open dialogue.
“N.H.”: What hopes does the
recent expansion of the Holy Synod of the
Patriarchate, as decided by the Fanar, have for
the canonical restoration of the rule?
Spyridon: If the decision that
was taken for the reorganization of the Synod is a
first step for a complete restoration of the
Synodic rule, then it is an important and
praiseworthy decision.
If, however, the decision stops there,
having already been decided, then we cannot but
think that the decision was not taken for the
restoration of Synodic rule, but to deal with
certain problems which are faced in the
relationship between the Patriarchate and the
Church of Greece, and specifically with the
subject of the New Lands.
I think that this decision cannot be
characterized one way or the other at the present
time, and surely not as historical because instead
of solving problems it creates even more.
I am referring to the creation of a
new distinction between the hierarchs of Turkey
and those abroad. Heretofore we said that those
abroad did not participate in the governing of the
Church because of Turkish prohibitive orders.
The development of
the matters revealed there was no Turkish
prohibitive order. Therefore it was an internal
affair of the Patriarchate, a decision which was
very costly to the Patriarchate because it was
forced to create a policy in the New Lands to
protect this system which favored the hierarchs in
Turkey, sacrificing those abroad and specifically
those in the New Lands.
Therefore, we can understand how
serious this subject is for the Patriarchate, in
other words the hierarchs of non-Turkish
citizenship and Turkish citizenship.
If half of Greece was sacrificed to
retain that system, it cannot be abandoned in one
night and neither can I imagine that there is a
serious intention to return to the pre-1922 state
of affairs.
It creates, I think, various problems
which cannot in any way fit into the thinking of
the Church. We cannot separate, create new
distinctions, we cannot accept that we are
partners on a percentage basis in a Synod.
If there are no prohibitive orders,
the easiest solution for the restoration of the
canonical, traditional Synodic rule would be as if
we open the gates and everyone participates
indiscriminately, in rotation, and based on the
constitution.
With this method of selection of
inviting some hierarchs, and not certain others, I
think that even more problems are created, instead
of attaining specific solutions.
“N.H.”: How do you comment on
the legal dispute on the subject of the Charter of
the Archdiocese?
Spyridon: I am grieved about
this situation and especially grieved when it is
necessary to go to the civil courts for the
resolution of ecclesiastical and religious
matters.
On the other hand, no one can doubt
the right that plaintiffs have at this moment,
since the Charter of 1977 made provisions for
approval by the Clergy Laity Congress in the
matter of modification or establishment of new
Charter.
What I want to say is that the
plaintiffs are not acting without a well-founded
reason. Since, indeed, the Charter of 1977 was
approved by the Patriarchate, the Patriarchate
itself should have respected it and not attempted
the application of a new Charter which has not
gone through the normal procedure provided by the
Patriarchate itself. Therefore they have some
basis.
I do not know how the case will
develop. I hope the case ends quickly so that the
two parties can agree, find a solution and move
forward, because it is very bad for the Church’s
prestige and it will scandalize our people even
more, as they have been scandalized enough by the
governance, ecclesiastical and financial scandals
which are continually repeated.
“N.H.”: How do you view the
reorganization of the Archdiocese of America?
Spyridon: I have a fixed
position on the subject and based on the numbers,
metropolitanization is not the solution to the
American ecclesiastical problem.
I do not believe that the number of
the faithful justifies the establishment of ten
metropolitanates, when surely those
metropolitanates will burden the Church finances
to the utmost, because where one office covered
the youth, now we have eleven youth offices.
Those offices all need desks,
personnel, financing.
The establishment of those
metropolitanates and the division of the
Archdiocese in ten sections, however we view it,
damages the unity of the Archdiocese.
“N.H.”: A decision was made by
the Holy Synod of Greece to reduce the crisis
between the Church of Greece and the Patriarchate
with regard to the New Lands. How do you view
this crisis and what do you recommend?
Spyridon: I belong to those
who for years have warned of the danger lying in
ambush on the subject of the New Lands. I have
remarked in various discussions that this matter
should be overcome as painlessly as possible.
There is no doubt that the Patriarchate has
historic rights on the New Lands and it is right
for every organization to want to maintain its
rights.
Today the politicoeconomic conditions
in the area of the New Lands have changed. It
must be taken into consideration that the majority
of hierarchs have a given position on the matter.
I am sorry there was no effort made to
avoid this sad collision which exposed the Church
and Orthodoxy in the eyes of the non-Orthodox, but
has also reduced the stature of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate.
“N.H.”: What is your view of
the future of the Greek language and, in general,
the Greek Letters in America, and what is your
opinion on “charter” schools which teach the Greek
language?
Spyridon: I am glad for what
is happening with the creation of the “charter”
schools. Here we have a new school phenomenon
that seems to cover the needs of the Greek
Letters.
On the other hand, I am sad because it
shows that the Archdiocesan position thus far has
failed. This has resulted in the creation of the
“charter” schools. I think this phenomenon should
guide us into deeper thoughts.
In reality I do not know what is
happening, and in reality there is an interest
since we notice that the budget for Greek
Education is continually reduced instead of
increasing.
Personally I believe that we ourselves
must look after Greek Education, because the
Hellenic principles are worldwide principles and
are the basis for every civilization.
“N.H.”: What are the role and
the purpose of the Archbishop Spyridon Foundation?
Spyridon: The foundation was
created about one year ago with an inaugural
ceremony that took place in New York.
When my friends came to Montreal for
the presentation of my book, they saw the school
miracle that succeeded there within the framework
of the community and were encouraged.
They believed that an attempt could be
made to strengthen the Greek Letters elsewhere in
the diaspora, in other places outside America
where there are Greeks.
Mr.John Katsimatidis, Mrs. Evanthia
Condakes, then president of the National
Philoptohos, and Demetri and Georgia Kaloidi were
instrumental in the creation of the Foundation.
Today we are in the stage of forming
the Governing Council and Academic Council to
start the project, which is the advancement of
Greek Letters in America.
We must tell the people to believe, to
remain faithful to their traditions and their
roots. It is a tremendous project.
“N.H.”: What are your future
plans?
Spyridon: Now I am resting and
am occupied with reflection, reading and
studying. I believe that in this manner I will
continue to maintain the relationships that I have
here in America, dedicating, as much as possible,
more time for the missions of the foundation for
the Greek Language, Education and Civilization.
There is room for action in order to
consider that I, too, can contribute to the
greater society to which I belonged and still
belong.
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