Huge

Published by The National Herald, October 7, 2005

Huge Archdiocese Debt Reduced Some, Eparchial Synod Discusses Issues

BOSTON – An anonymous donation of $2.2 million was made to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America towards the reduction of its debt, the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council announced during its meeting last Thursday, September 29.

Although not all lay members of the Executive Committee were present, the entire Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese attended the meeting, with the sole exception of Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh, who is recovering from an injury he suffered during a fall at the Pittsburgh Metropolis Center (His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America informed the Synod that Metropolitan Maximos has now returned home after his brief hospitalization and is on his way to complete recovery).

As was officially announced on May 18 through an Archdiocesan news release, the Archdiocese was facing a $10 million debt. Archdiocese Finance Department officials told the Executive Committee that the debt has been reduced to $7 million after operational costs were reduced by some $400,000 in the Archdiocese budget. It was also stated at the meeting that allocations and contributions from the parishes to the Archdiocese are on a positive track, thus far. A complete report of the Church’s finances is expected to be presented before the full Archdiocesan Council at the upcoming Council meeting in Boston, which is scheduled to take place at the end of the October.

The legal structure of each Metropolis was also discussed at the Executive Committee meeting, during which it was decided that the Metropolises should become legal entities of their own in order to safeguard their assets. Such a measure would affect the unity and oneness of the Archdiocese.

Prior to the Executive Committee meeting, the Holy Eparchial Synod held its regular fall meeting on September 28-29. Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver resigned from the chairmanship of the Sexual Misconduct Committee, and Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit took his place, upon the recommendation of Archbishop Demetrios.

The resignation followed a disagreement between the Archbishop and Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey over the details of the relocation of the Saints Constantine & Helen Church in Washington, D.C. The parish is planning to relocate and build a new church edifice outside of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Archdiocesan District, which is under the authority of the Archbishop. The new location is said to belong to the ecclesiastical, canonical and geographical orbit of the Metropolis of New Jersey, which is under the stewardship of Metropolitan Evangelos.

The Archbishop brought a letter from Saints Constantine & Helen Church to the Holy Synod meeting which states, among other things, the intent of the parish to relocate, along with a request to remain under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Demetrios although, geographically, the parish is within the Metropolis of New Jersey’s territory.

The members of the Holy Synod voiced their opposition, stating that the matter constitutes an ecclesiological and canonical error. Metropolitan Evangelos said that, "the subject should not have been brought before the Synod, simply because it is a bilateral matter between the Archdiocesan District and the Metropolis of New Jersey," adding that, "it should have been discussed among the two hierarchs," alluding to himself and the Archbishop.

Metropolitan Evangelos also clearly stated that he is not willing to accept or entertain any requests of the sort. The majority of the members of the Synod stood by Metropolitan Evangelos. The Archbishop withdrew the request and reportedly said that, "since Metropolitan Evangelos does not grant his consent, the issue is closed."

At the Holy Eparchial Synod meeting, Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago requested the election and appointment of an auxiliary Bishop in his Metropolis. Metropolitan Iakovos is aiming to promote his chancellor of many years, Archimandrite Demetrios Kantzavelos. It was decided that the proper process be followed, as it is provided by the Charter and the Regulations of the Auxiliary Bishops. The official list of candidates for the high priesthood will be instituted and will subsequently be sent to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople for final approval. Once approved, it will be sent to the members of the Archdiocesan Council for comments and suggestions. The Holy Eparchial Synod will then convene to vote on a three-person ballot. The results will be forwarded to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which will select one of the three. According to longstanding practice, the Holy & Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate typically selects the one who gathers the majority of the Eparchial Synod’s votes.

The issue of a Permanent Deaconate was also discussed at the recent meeting. The office was initiated by the late Archbishop Iakovos, but has gradually been diminished. Candidates for the office are usually individuals with limited Theological training, who become Deacons without the prospect of becoming priests themselves, but instead assist priests in large parishes.

The issue of monasticism was also discussed, as well as some circumstances which are connected with monasteries, and it was decided that the Holy Eparchial Synod would convene four times per year instead of two, as has been the case up until now.

The Holy Synod voiced its concern about Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and the lack of preparation of its graduates on linguistics and liturgics. Metropolitan Iakovos, senior hierarch of the Archdiocese after the Archbishop, stated during the meeting that "the Theological School has lost its orientation." Metropolitan Iakovos served as president of the Theological School for many years.

Archbishop Demetrios had invited Hellenic College/Holy Cross President Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou to a special session of the Eparchial Synod so that he could inform the synodal hierarchs about both Hellenic College and Holy Cross. In his report, Father Triantafilou told the Synod that "there is enthusiasm, growth in the numbers of the student body and vision about the future."

He also reminded the Synod that the Archdiocese still needs to render its annual $1.2 million allocation to HC/HC. According to the decisions of the Clergy-Laity Congress, including the most recent one which was held in New York in July 2004, the Archdiocese should allocate $100,000 to the School for its operating expenses. The Archdiocese has not sent any money to the Holy Cross for the past 14 months. HC/HC’s annual budget is now $9 million. The total enrollment for both Hellenic College and Holy Cross averages between 198 to 215 students.

At the meeting, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, who also served as president of HC/HC (1989-95) asked, "How is it possible for students who have not gotten the Master of Divinity Degree, nor taken any courses in the Greek Language, to become ordained?"

Questions about the very existence of Hellenic College in it is current form, structure and orientation were also raised at the meeting, with members of the Holy Synod expressing the view that Hellenic College should dedicate itself to the preparation of students to enter Holy Cross in order to eventually enter the priesthood. Efforts made in recent years to expand courses offered at Hellenic College into various academic fields (e.g., Business Administration) have not been received with enthusiasm by students, which attend such classes in limited numbers.

Discussions are underway for a possible cooperative arrangement with Anatolia College of Thessaloniki, including (but not limited to) student exchanges. Questions have been raised in several academic circles concerning the effectiveness of such cooperation, however. Archbishop Demetrios reportedly clarified for the Synod that "there is no pressure from anywhere for such a cooperation," but added that, "the cooperation would be something good."

Members of the Synod raised their concerns over a lack of communication between the Theological School and both the individual hierarchs and the Synod as a body. Father Triantafilou promised to correct this issue and invited the hierarchs to visit the School and spend a few days on campus in order to review its operation.

A number of canonical issues were also discussed at the meeting, including requests made by defrocked priests of advanced age who want to be reinstated because they wish to die as priests.

It was also announced that the official translation of the Creed, as well as the Lord’s Prayer, would soon be distributed to parishes.



Volume 7 Number 41 - Tuesday, October 11, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY