Bring Back Father Nick!!!

This dismissal is appalling. Fr. Nick is a wonderful priest who does not deserve this.

Father Nick is an extraordinary priest dedicated to the faith. Once again the church politics devastate the community. I have witnessed this before. This behavior is a disgrace to our Orthodox faith. The leaders need to bring Father Kastanas back and solve the problems together.

Bring back Father Nick! .... There are not words to properly convey the depths of Father Nick’s commitment, love, and devotion to our parish community, our children, and our faith. The spiritual leader of our church for more than 25 years, he is the epitome of all that is good in this world. He inspires us by his example to do better, be better, to choose kindness, be charitable, be generous, be gracious, be grateful… There are countless stories among our parish of his deep compassion and welcoming spirit, always a caring word, a blessing in a time of need, always a moment to say hello, his love for our children so clearly apparent in all he does … He has married us, baptized our children, walked along side us when we’ve had to say goodbye to loved ones and find a way to pick up the pieces of our broken hearts ... He is a good man and deserved better than this...We deserve better than this ...This dismissal is unjust, immoral, and not at all in the best interest of our Parish community!

He is a good priest!

This is an absolute disgrace, and the hierarchy owes their congregation a full explanation. I will withhold my stewardship dues until this scandal is satisfactorily resolved. Congregations are not just cash cows, and they don't deserve to be treated with such contempt.

The church teaches us to love and forgive. What could one man who has dedicated 30 years of his life serving his community have possibly done that has him relieved of his duties?

I've been a proud member of the Greek Orthodox Community since 1956 in Camb. MA, St Constantine & Hellen to Saint Sophia Cathedral - Los Angeles, California and in 1994 St Athanasius w/ Father Nick in the old building on MA Ave in Arl. His mannerisms, calm demeanor and genuine love for his parishioners is what separates him from every other priest I've ever encountered. Father Nick is the epitome of the "Shepard of his Flock". The business of running a church is granted to the Church Council by the parishioners, not their birthright to wield power from like an oligarchy and certainly not from the Bureaucracy on the top of the Hill in Brookline! At a minimum the Saint Athanasius Flock deserve a clear rational reason for their actions from both the Church Council as well as the head of the Archdioceses and directly from Methodious himself. We deserve and explanation, not innuendos, and "MISTIKA" ! We as a consolidated parish need to unite and speak as one for answers for the actions taken against our "Shepard" by the Orthodox Archdioceses, the St.Athanasius Parish Council and the head, Methodious himself or the passing of the Sunday trays, the donations in the "Fakelaki" and Church Annual Dues should come to a immediate halt! DROTTI!!!

Hi

With heavy hearts, we attended Liturgy at St. Athanasius yesterday. The Liturgy was, as always, very moving and beautiful. Following the Liturgy, Father Nick's "farewell" to his congregation was delivered with extraordinary class and dignity. As difficult as this day must have been for him, he asked for peace and understanding from us. This shows the incredible character of this humble and wonderful man. As he has always done, he was thinking only of the church and not of himself. Thank you, Father Nick. Instead of adding to the "alleged turmoil", you chose to help guide us through these heartbreaking days. You will always have our love, respect, appreciation and support.

Don't know him but sounds like a good priest

Father Nick is a truly wonderful priest, a fine man and a special person, respected ad beloved by all who are blessed to know him. I was fortunate to be a member of St. Athanasios and call Fr. Nick my spiritual father for 5 years. His smile and warm welcome always brightened my day. This college student actually looked forward to going to church every week. Once I remember missing a couple of Sundays because of illness, and was so touched that Fr. Nick called make sure I was alright. Imagine a church completely filled with parishioners every week and Fr. Nick noticed my absence. He even offered to bring me food. Fr. Nick is so thoughtful, caring, and compassionate, and completely exemplifies Christian Love. I will always remember our conversations, filled with wisdom, kindness and laughter too. Such a genuine and down to earth person. Thank you for your guidance and love. I moved out of state and was so honored that Fr. Nick traveled down to DC to officiate at our wedding. I adore you Father Nick. God Bless you! Sending love and prayers to you, Presbytera and your family. God is Great!

Keep Father Nick

We love you Fr. Nick!!!

(ΑΝ)ΙΕΡΕΣ “ΜΕΘΟΔΕΥΣΕΙΣ” Η ρίψη λάσπης, το αγαπημένο διαχρονικά άθλημα της εκκλησίας, πάντα είχε σαν αποτέλεσμα την σπίλωση αυτού που την υφίσταται. Ακόμη και αν ξεπλυθεί εντελώς, ένα ανεπαίσθητο στίγμα (λεκές) πάντα μένει. Αυτή τη «Μέθοδο» επέλεξαν και οι εμπνευστές του πρόσφατου εξανδραποδισμού του αγαθού Λευίτη, πατέρα Νικολάου Καστανά. Ο μητροπολίτης Βοστώνης Μεθόδιος, με τις ασαφείς και αόριστες κατηγορίες εναντίον του πατρός Νικολάου Καστανά, δημιουργεί ένα ομιχλώδες τοπίο και μια περιρρέουσα ατμόσφαιρα, ώστε καθένας να δύναται να υποθέσει οτιδήποτε και ο θιγόμενος να πρέπει να αποδείξει ότι δεν είναι «ελέφαντας». Αυτή η «Μεθοδολογία» ανέκαθεν ήταν γνωστή και αποτελεσματική. Ο αρχαίος Έλληνας ρήτορας Ισοκράτης στην επιστολή προς Δημόνικο γράφει: “Ευλαβού τας διαβολάς καν ψευδείς ώσιν” (μτφρ: να φοβάσαι τις συκοφαντίες, ακόμα κι αν είναι ψέματα). Όμως το σημερινό ποίμνιο της εκκλησίας δεν αποτελείται από «αμνούς». Οι ενορίτες έχουν και γνώση και κρίση. Το εκκλησίασμα σήμερα δεν είναι «όχλος» που επιθυμεί την σταύρωση του Ιησού και την αθώωση του Βαραββά. Η πρόσφατη κινητοποίηση υπέρ του «καλού Σαμαρείτη», πατρός Νικολάου Καστανά, το απέδειξε περίτρανα. Ας θυμούνται, όσοι «Μεθοδεύουν» τέτοιες καταστάσεις ότι, φωνή λαού – οργή Θεού! Ας σταματήσουν λοιπόν οι (αν)ιερές «Μεθοδεύσεις» εκ μέρους του μητροπολίτη και των συν αυτώ για να επανέλθει η ειρήνη και η σύμπνοια, που τόσο είναι αναγκαία, στο εκκλησίασμα. Ας έχει υπόψιν του ο μητροπολίτης ότι «μωραίνει Κύριος ον βούλεται απολέσαι» και «Ἔστι δίκης ὀφθαλμός, ὅς τὰ πάνθ’ὁρᾷ». Αγαπητέ εν Χριστώ αδελφέ, πάτερ Νικόλαε: Με σεβασμό και εκτίμηση σας αποκαλώ Καλό Σαμαρείτη. «ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα, καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην, καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με». Η δύσκολη αυτή συγκυρία εύχομαι γρήγορα να ξεπεραστεί και, σύντομα, να αποτελεί μόνο μια δυσάρεστη ανάμνηση. Να έχετε δύναμη και να θυμάστε πάντα

I went to Fr. Nick's last sermon to support a truly gifted priest and to support the parish who needs him back again. He should be reinstated immediately and the four or five council members should be fired. It is a travesty. The perition signatures are almost 2,000 and that shows no sign of turmoil but of parishioners in need of their priest being reinstated. It is awful the greed and politics that have bestowed our churches. In a world of such chaos the church is our refuge. How can these council members face the parishioners knowing that they literally ruined a persons life, career and disrupted a congregation. If they do not reinstate Fr. Nick the other Greek Churches in the area will be overflowing. I know I would never attend St. Athanasius again. It is time that a General Assembly be formed and those from, the Archidiocese and the Church have a meeting explaining why this has happened. We all have a right to know. If it can happen to Fr. Nick it can happen anywhere. Fr. Nick was as gracious today as always when you knew his heart was breaking. Shame on all of you that were responsible and may God put his hand on this and make it right. Politics has no right in Churches. It is getting out of hand and the egos of the Board Members need to be curtailed. They are voted in by the parishioners and can be voted out. Shame shame on all of you. It was a very emotional yet peaceful day for Fr. Nick always made you leave the church peaceful and ready to start the week. Disgusting and in my view there will be no St. Athanasius anymore. You will see members drift if this does not stop. I am being kinder than I want to be in this petition. It was very disturbing today and I have thought of this all night. Wrong, just wrong, Fr. Nick will survive, he will for he has no malice. What a mess and a tragedy. Get it right and stop this, it can be done. I am from another church however, knew Fr. Nick for all the years he was priest as family and friends are mem

This priest is wonderful. He married my son and wonderful daughter-in-law in a beautiful ceremony and he also baptized my two granddaughters in the most beautiful and meaningful ceremony I have ever seen. Stop putting your politics into religion. He is a man of God and that shows in everything he does!!!

Prayers for Fr. Nick and his beautiful family as well as for the amazing church community he has built.

Bring back father nick

Does the Patriach or Archdiocese keep tabs on their Bishops! How many Priests are you out to crucify my Hierarchy! Go to your churches and listen to your people. Your wolves in sheeps clothing! St. Athanasious is not the only church going through chaos. I feel for Fr. Nick and I support him! I will pray that God opens your eyes Your Eminence and takes your and Fr. Teds arrogance away. You can't hide from God!!!

Love father Nick!!