A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 48 - Tuesday, November 30th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian Laity
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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BOSTON, Mass. – A Greek Orthodox Christian allegedly committed suicide in his own church. Authorities said a young Greek American man, 35 years of age, killed himself inside Saint Barbara’s Church in Orange, Connecticut on November 11-12. He used his shotgun to blast his way inside before turning the gun on himself in the front part of the nave, according to Orange Police. The Connecticut Post was the first to break the story on November 13. Orange Assistant Police Chief Robert Gagne told the National Herald the victim "was speaking with a female acquaintance via a cellular phone prior to the incident." Chief Gagne also told the Herald that "we spoke to the female the same night," and that he believes the woman is a Greek American. "The victim said he was going to her house but had to make a stop at the church," Chief Gagne said, adding that the victim did not indicate that he was going to kill himself during the phone conversation. The Assistant Police Chief also said that the victim shot himself. "I am not going to give an exact amount, but I would say that several shots were fired with a shotgun at the lock of the front door of the church to force entry into the church, and once inside the church, he shot himself with the shotgun," he said, confirming that the incident took place in the front of the nave, which called the solea. The man’s body was reportedly found inside the church about 1:30 AM Friday, November 12. Rev. Peter Orfanakos, Pastor of St. Barbara’s Church, declined comment on the incident. "I do not feel comfortable talking about it," he told the Herald, repeating the same statement he had given to the American Press: "We are saddened by this tragic and traumatic event. Our prayers are with the family, and we trust that God’s hands will lead us through this difficult time." Rev. Orfanakos referred questions to the Chancery of the Archdiocese. "Responsible people will not make a big deal out of it," said Archdiocese Chancellor, Bishop Savvas of Troas, in an enervated tone of voice. The Herald has learned from independent sources, however, that the victim was an active member of his parish. He reportedly participated in social events at the parish, like the church’s recent Halloween party. He reportedly went into St. Barbara’s Church; fired shots at the door to open it; entered the church; lit a candle; and then killed himself in front of the solea. Bishop Savvas visited the parish and read special prayers from the Efchologion on the occasion that a violent act occurs in the nave itself. The victim’s funeral service was held at the Church of the Archangels in Stamford Connecticut.
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