It is sadness that I read this letter about Father Nick. As an Orthodox Christian and human being, I was astonished, to say the least, that a letter written in negative tone about any person would ever come from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston. The role of the Archbishop and our Metropolis is to foster religion, caring, forgiveness, kindness, love - and the list goes on. Rather, Archbishop Methodios' letter, signed personally and on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, went too far. It was written in such an attacking and personal manner, that it hurt me at my very core as an Orthodox Christian. In life, it is not our role to judge others, but rather to help them. It is not our role to create negative sentiment and try to make a person look like they have committed the worst act known to man. That letter did NOT represent the sentiment of our Greek Orthodox community. Look, over 1000 people have signed this petition and are confused, sad, hurt. How can SO many people who are members of St. Athanasius not know what is going on? How can this letter represent over 1000 people - that is the entire community of Arlington and beyond.
I returned to Boston after being away 15 years and my first trip to St Athanasius Church in Arlington make me so happy. Father Nick was so kind to me, my family and everyone there. I was so impressed by the number of families and how connected Father Nick was to the community and how incredible the ministries and events of the Arlington church. My own personal experience is like the over 1000 that signed this petition - he was incredible to us.
Many have tried to contact the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston - to no avail. How can we trust and believe when we as members of the Greek Orthodox Church and faith yet there is no response, no answer when we seek the truth . If what was done was right, then the manner it was done was not appropriate at all. Period. Answer the phones and emails and those that c
M
Margo Moskos
9 years ago
We love Father Nick. He has always been there for our family. Bad decision by the church.
A
Alexandros Stathopoulos
9 years ago
He is the best man for the job there is no other!
C
Christine Fassas
9 years ago
Father NIck has been our priest, our friend and our family. There are no words to describe our gratitude for how he went so above and beyond and stood by us on our darkest days (and every day). We are so grateful for his love and support. I am not sure how he finds the time to make everyone feel like they are the most special ones, but he does. We love you, Father.
C
Christina Chalapatas
9 years ago
Bring back our spiritual leader, Father Nick, to his parish, his community, his ministries, his flock.........
M
Michaele Enwright
9 years ago
Father Nick has been one of the most respected people in Arlington I have had the honor of knowing for the last 20 years. He was a friend to my husband and so kind and compassionate to me when he learned of his passing. Please keep Father Nick to loss him would be devastating to the Town Of Arlington and the St Antanasius Community.
C
ChrisTopher Chase
9 years ago
I do not know the story as to why the kicked him out of the church. most likely do to corruption the way the story sounds. I do hope the corruption of the governments is not rubbing in to the church. What I do hope for is that there is substantial truth due to the fireing and that that truth may be reveled. May God grace be with Father Nick in this time of need.
P
Pam Scantalides
9 years ago
This is a travesty. Father Nick is a true Orthodox servant and has served his community well. Take your politics elsewhere and reinstate this wonderful man!
A
AGNES KYVELOS
9 years ago
Bring back Father NIck
J
James Xenophon Kiladis
9 years ago
We are deeply saddened and heartbroken, as is the rest of our family.
Father Nick has, selfishly and tirelessly, devoted his life to his church and has always been there for all of us. Over the years, his compassion and caring have guided us through some very difficult times, providing our family with his love, comfort and support. May God continue to bless Father Nick and his family. Our love, thanks, appreciation and prayers go out to them. Please reconsider this decision.
M
Melissa Thomas
9 years ago
A kindhearted and grateful individual.
D
Daniel stamos
9 years ago
If he is not reinstated the church will not get another dime from me
A
Aimee Moran
9 years ago
I am 50% Greek and as long as I can remember Father Nick's name was heard as often as I asked my YiaYia to make Avgolemono soup! Wedding, Baptisms and memorial masses he was the one who served as Priest!!
V
Vasili Everett
9 years ago
We need to bring back father Nick!
W
William athanas
9 years ago
Truly an embarrassment for the Metropolis leadership. God bless Fr Nick
P
Pete Coumounduros
9 years ago
We are very saddened to hear this news. Father Nick has provided our family with an incredible amount of spiritual support during happy and tough times. His soft spoken manner and reassuring tone has ALWAYS made a tough time a little more comforting. He is and will always be a model of what a Christian should be. Pete, Amy, Caroline & Catie Coumounduros (Reading, MA)
G
George Chagaris
9 years ago
This is an outrage. Father Nick is an amazing priest and should be reinstated immediately.
C
Christina Pagonis Vosnakis
9 years ago
I am appalled and incredibly disappointed by the actions of Metropolitan Methodios and Chancellor Fr. Ted Barbas, in removing Fr. Nick from our St. Athanasius parish. I have previously served on the Parish Council for 8 consecutive years, including 2 years as President. Fr. Nick is an incredibly dedicated priest to his pastoral duties who truly cares and ministers to our community and outside.
Fr. Nick not only presided at my wedding and my sons' baptism, but he did something that I will always remember and carry in my heart; he was there when my father had to be taken off the respirator in 2000 and passed away, and in 2015 when my mother had to be taken off the respirator. It was very emotional for me because while my loved ones were on a respirator I had some hope for them even though I knew that the medical odds were against them. I had a very difficult time letting go and Fr. Nick was there for me and my family.
What is very troublesome here is that His Eminence and Fr. Ted Barbas made this decision solely on the basis of what the Board members of the Parish Council have told him. This not the the whole Parish Council. It is the 5 or so Board Members who meet outside of the rest of the Council and bypass decisions made by the General Assembly. The rest of the Council is simply given tasks and have monthly meetings with the Board. The Board
calls their decisions "Executive" when in fact they are all elected volunteers on the Council.
They have been spreading lies and misinformation for at least 2 years and speak rudely and disrespectfully to Fr. Nick and anyone who questions them. Our church is basically controlled by an OLIGARCHY! They wanted Fr. Nick out because he knows everything about the Parish and is a threat to to the Board's total control over our Church. These Board members have been meeting with Fr. Ted and His Eminence together and separately over time injecting their lies and poison and making every attempt to unjustly discredit Fr.
M
Manoli
9 years ago
This is a Huge loss for the orthodox faithfuls of Massachusetts.
This is an outrage!
It is sadness that I read this letter about Father Nick. As an Orthodox Christian and human being, I was astonished, to say the least, that a letter written in negative tone about any person would ever come from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston. The role of the Archbishop and our Metropolis is to foster religion, caring, forgiveness, kindness, love - and the list goes on. Rather, Archbishop Methodios' letter, signed personally and on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, went too far. It was written in such an attacking and personal manner, that it hurt me at my very core as an Orthodox Christian. In life, it is not our role to judge others, but rather to help them. It is not our role to create negative sentiment and try to make a person look like they have committed the worst act known to man. That letter did NOT represent the sentiment of our Greek Orthodox community. Look, over 1000 people have signed this petition and are confused, sad, hurt. How can SO many people who are members of St. Athanasius not know what is going on? How can this letter represent over 1000 people - that is the entire community of Arlington and beyond. I returned to Boston after being away 15 years and my first trip to St Athanasius Church in Arlington make me so happy. Father Nick was so kind to me, my family and everyone there. I was so impressed by the number of families and how connected Father Nick was to the community and how incredible the ministries and events of the Arlington church. My own personal experience is like the over 1000 that signed this petition - he was incredible to us. Many have tried to contact the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston - to no avail. How can we trust and believe when we as members of the Greek Orthodox Church and faith yet there is no response, no answer when we seek the truth . If what was done was right, then the manner it was done was not appropriate at all. Period. Answer the phones and emails and those that c
We love Father Nick. He has always been there for our family. Bad decision by the church.
He is the best man for the job there is no other!
Father NIck has been our priest, our friend and our family. There are no words to describe our gratitude for how he went so above and beyond and stood by us on our darkest days (and every day). We are so grateful for his love and support. I am not sure how he finds the time to make everyone feel like they are the most special ones, but he does. We love you, Father.
Bring back our spiritual leader, Father Nick, to his parish, his community, his ministries, his flock.........
Father Nick has been one of the most respected people in Arlington I have had the honor of knowing for the last 20 years. He was a friend to my husband and so kind and compassionate to me when he learned of his passing. Please keep Father Nick to loss him would be devastating to the Town Of Arlington and the St Antanasius Community.
I do not know the story as to why the kicked him out of the church. most likely do to corruption the way the story sounds. I do hope the corruption of the governments is not rubbing in to the church. What I do hope for is that there is substantial truth due to the fireing and that that truth may be reveled. May God grace be with Father Nick in this time of need.
This is a travesty. Father Nick is a true Orthodox servant and has served his community well. Take your politics elsewhere and reinstate this wonderful man!
Bring back Father NIck
We are deeply saddened and heartbroken, as is the rest of our family. Father Nick has, selfishly and tirelessly, devoted his life to his church and has always been there for all of us. Over the years, his compassion and caring have guided us through some very difficult times, providing our family with his love, comfort and support. May God continue to bless Father Nick and his family. Our love, thanks, appreciation and prayers go out to them. Please reconsider this decision.
A kindhearted and grateful individual.
If he is not reinstated the church will not get another dime from me
I am 50% Greek and as long as I can remember Father Nick's name was heard as often as I asked my YiaYia to make Avgolemono soup! Wedding, Baptisms and memorial masses he was the one who served as Priest!!
We need to bring back father Nick!
Truly an embarrassment for the Metropolis leadership. God bless Fr Nick
We are very saddened to hear this news. Father Nick has provided our family with an incredible amount of spiritual support during happy and tough times. His soft spoken manner and reassuring tone has ALWAYS made a tough time a little more comforting. He is and will always be a model of what a Christian should be. Pete, Amy, Caroline & Catie Coumounduros (Reading, MA)
This is an outrage. Father Nick is an amazing priest and should be reinstated immediately.
I am appalled and incredibly disappointed by the actions of Metropolitan Methodios and Chancellor Fr. Ted Barbas, in removing Fr. Nick from our St. Athanasius parish. I have previously served on the Parish Council for 8 consecutive years, including 2 years as President. Fr. Nick is an incredibly dedicated priest to his pastoral duties who truly cares and ministers to our community and outside. Fr. Nick not only presided at my wedding and my sons' baptism, but he did something that I will always remember and carry in my heart; he was there when my father had to be taken off the respirator in 2000 and passed away, and in 2015 when my mother had to be taken off the respirator. It was very emotional for me because while my loved ones were on a respirator I had some hope for them even though I knew that the medical odds were against them. I had a very difficult time letting go and Fr. Nick was there for me and my family. What is very troublesome here is that His Eminence and Fr. Ted Barbas made this decision solely on the basis of what the Board members of the Parish Council have told him. This not the the whole Parish Council. It is the 5 or so Board Members who meet outside of the rest of the Council and bypass decisions made by the General Assembly. The rest of the Council is simply given tasks and have monthly meetings with the Board. The Board calls their decisions "Executive" when in fact they are all elected volunteers on the Council. They have been spreading lies and misinformation for at least 2 years and speak rudely and disrespectfully to Fr. Nick and anyone who questions them. Our church is basically controlled by an OLIGARCHY! They wanted Fr. Nick out because he knows everything about the Parish and is a threat to to the Board's total control over our Church. These Board members have been meeting with Fr. Ted and His Eminence together and separately over time injecting their lies and poison and making every attempt to unjustly discredit Fr.
This is a Huge loss for the orthodox faithfuls of Massachusetts.