The council seems to think the church runs through them and not the people of the parish. Politics has NO PLACE in any church. Father Kastanas has helped my family and from looking at this petition MANY OTHER families with kindness, humility, spirituality without any judgment and was available any time or any day. The metropolis need to reconsider this horrible decision. The council needs to step down and a new council needs to be appointed with the votes coming from ALL the parishioners not just the few with the name tags. This parish needs to keep father Nick.
X
Xifaras Family
9 years ago
We love Father Nick! Please reinstate ASAP.
A
Aline smith
9 years ago
Any one who would help in this time of spiritual need is great in my book!
E
Eleni
9 years ago
Father Nick needs to be reinstated. This archdiosis needs a new bishop. Get rid of the corrupt, negative crow Methodios!
L
Lynne Chamallas
9 years ago
He is the backbone of the church. He has deep seated faith and a desire to help people of all cultures. There are not any priests like him he is amazing.
T
Tia Kareklas Joy
9 years ago
March 16, 2013 was by far the worst day of my life.......
I went to Brigham & Woman's with a healthy, bouncing baby in my belly and left the next day with empty arms.
We as Greek Orthodox people (and I'm sure others do too) believe in blessing the baby before entering the holy gates.
My mother along with her friend went to my church and spoke with Fr. Chris (who was beyond awesome) but had baptisms all day so couldn't come.....my cousin Maria was awesome and called all the churches around us.....all were told to call our church and then she got a hold of Fr Nick who was also busy with baptisms as well couldn't come but was the only priest to call me. I still have his message saved.....he didn't know who I was and was beyond sympathetic and genuinely sincere with his beautiful message.
From someone standing on the outside of this church could have a huge love for Fr Nick speaks volume of who this man is <3
Shame on whom ever was involved
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
There is no church without Father Nick.
M
Mary Vlahakis
9 years ago
He officiated my sister's wedding. I can't imagine how something like this would happen. I hope the people of his church don't lose such a wonderful priest.
D
Demetrios Iliou
9 years ago
Fr. Nick is a spiritual and humble priest! Do not let politics destroy another priest !
J
Jim Desrosiers
9 years ago
Bring Father Nick Back
C
Charles Chamallas
9 years ago
The most lovely and caring person/priest I know he always put others first Father Nick is also available to his parishioners 24 seven the letter sent by the parish president to the maturity of the same Athanassia's parishioners was a slap in the face is a peacemaker not a troublemaker
A
Alexandra Dardati
9 years ago
Father Nick is one of the most amazing people I've ever known.
F
Florencr Pollock
9 years ago
Please reinstate Fr Nick.
L
Lynne Chamallas
9 years ago
He brings faith and commitment to my church. He is the backbone of Saint Athanasius!
J
Joanne Pagounes
9 years ago
This is so devastating! As Everyone knows Father Nick is a very special person, very loving, very caring individual that extends himself beyond anyone asking. He teaches by example, humility, service by loving and respecting people and serving everyone. He is the most committed and so devoted to the work of God. He brings stability not only to the church but to the lives of
the people. Father Nick is a dynamic priest and an amazing person. We love you! We stand by you and we are here for you always! God is Great!
C
Chrissy
9 years ago
Very holy man
G
George Drizos
9 years ago
*The following was sent to the Arlington church via email to
[email protected][email protected][email protected]
-Please follow me and send emails let the people know if they take our priest, then they take our membership! ... I will be forwarding the email to the big shots on the council and the relievers in Boston. *
Dear brothers and sisters, in the lord,
By Relieving Father Nick of his duties I want to make it perfectly clear that I and the sad part is I am one of many regret to inform you that effective immediately I forfeit any and all rights given to members of the parish. The priest in this case Father Nick. Does not deserve this. He has been the priest in Arlington for as long as I can remember. If the council and the Metropolitan Methodios think they can just relieve The Priest,Our Priest, The Head Priest, who unfortunately for you in this case is the church. Then you are all at equal blame for the beginning of the end of our Greek Church. I am officially the first of many to publicly come out and say, I want nothing to do with St.Anthanasius of Arlington, or there Councils political Baloney. Yes, they may have been turmoil, but we faught through it and always found a way to co exist. By Relieving Father Nick of his duties, you are in fact relieving half the church of there membership.Please Let me be as clear as possible. Without Father Nick, I want absolutely 100% nothing to do with your church. Please remove my name from your mailing list, your membership list, and from anything else to do with the church. This absolutely disgust me, how politics have taken over and the church, Our great beautiful giving Church is now run as a business not a house of GOD.
YOUR MAKING ,A HUGE MISTAKE!
-only god may judge, only god may relieve!
Sincerely,
GEORGE DRIZOS
X- Member of the St.Anthanasius
Greek Orthodox Church of Arlington.
21 Montvale ave,Woburn Ma,01
C
Charles Aggouras
9 years ago
I strongly believe Father Nick is the best priest for the congregation
A
Angela Stamoulos
9 years ago
Please bring back Father Nick
C
Cassandra Chamallas
9 years ago
Father Kastanas is not only our beloved priest, but a true servant of the Church and a dedicated pastor to each and every person he met. I sign this heartbroken, not just as a lifelong parishioner and steward but as a former OCF president, parish council officer, stewardship chairperson, chair of parish communications, current Sunday school teacher/ assistant director, and tonsured reader... I write this as a committed young adult, dismayed at the malicious actions being carried out by a minority in our community and the hierarchy who we should be able to count on for Christ focused leadership. And I write this not just because I love Father Nick, but because through his patience, humility, wisdom, and love I, like so many others, have learned what it means to be a Christian from a true disciple of Christ and I see already the damage that this action to remove him is causing to the body of Christ here in our community and beyond to all those who Father Nick has touched in his many decades of service as a priest and teacher.
I ask everyone who has read this to please, please sign this petition to send a message to the leadership who are treating a valued priest as a disposable commodity. I ask you to pray, for Father Kastanas, his family, our community, and the men who are driving this decision - that their hearts may be turned from spite to repentance. Finally, if you are at all local to Arlington MA I ask you to attend Liturgy at St. Athanasius this Sunday (July 30th) at 9:15am and pour your love out on this wonderful priest.
The council seems to think the church runs through them and not the people of the parish. Politics has NO PLACE in any church. Father Kastanas has helped my family and from looking at this petition MANY OTHER families with kindness, humility, spirituality without any judgment and was available any time or any day. The metropolis need to reconsider this horrible decision. The council needs to step down and a new council needs to be appointed with the votes coming from ALL the parishioners not just the few with the name tags. This parish needs to keep father Nick.
We love Father Nick! Please reinstate ASAP.
Any one who would help in this time of spiritual need is great in my book!
Father Nick needs to be reinstated. This archdiosis needs a new bishop. Get rid of the corrupt, negative crow Methodios!
He is the backbone of the church. He has deep seated faith and a desire to help people of all cultures. There are not any priests like him he is amazing.
March 16, 2013 was by far the worst day of my life....... I went to Brigham & Woman's with a healthy, bouncing baby in my belly and left the next day with empty arms. We as Greek Orthodox people (and I'm sure others do too) believe in blessing the baby before entering the holy gates. My mother along with her friend went to my church and spoke with Fr. Chris (who was beyond awesome) but had baptisms all day so couldn't come.....my cousin Maria was awesome and called all the churches around us.....all were told to call our church and then she got a hold of Fr Nick who was also busy with baptisms as well couldn't come but was the only priest to call me. I still have his message saved.....he didn't know who I was and was beyond sympathetic and genuinely sincere with his beautiful message. From someone standing on the outside of this church could have a huge love for Fr Nick speaks volume of who this man is <3 Shame on whom ever was involved
There is no church without Father Nick.
He officiated my sister's wedding. I can't imagine how something like this would happen. I hope the people of his church don't lose such a wonderful priest.
Fr. Nick is a spiritual and humble priest! Do not let politics destroy another priest !
Bring Father Nick Back
The most lovely and caring person/priest I know he always put others first Father Nick is also available to his parishioners 24 seven the letter sent by the parish president to the maturity of the same Athanassia's parishioners was a slap in the face is a peacemaker not a troublemaker
Father Nick is one of the most amazing people I've ever known.
Please reinstate Fr Nick.
He brings faith and commitment to my church. He is the backbone of Saint Athanasius!
This is so devastating! As Everyone knows Father Nick is a very special person, very loving, very caring individual that extends himself beyond anyone asking. He teaches by example, humility, service by loving and respecting people and serving everyone. He is the most committed and so devoted to the work of God. He brings stability not only to the church but to the lives of the people. Father Nick is a dynamic priest and an amazing person. We love you! We stand by you and we are here for you always! God is Great!
Very holy man
*The following was sent to the Arlington church via email to [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] -Please follow me and send emails let the people know if they take our priest, then they take our membership! ... I will be forwarding the email to the big shots on the council and the relievers in Boston. * Dear brothers and sisters, in the lord, By Relieving Father Nick of his duties I want to make it perfectly clear that I and the sad part is I am one of many regret to inform you that effective immediately I forfeit any and all rights given to members of the parish. The priest in this case Father Nick. Does not deserve this. He has been the priest in Arlington for as long as I can remember. If the council and the Metropolitan Methodios think they can just relieve The Priest,Our Priest, The Head Priest, who unfortunately for you in this case is the church. Then you are all at equal blame for the beginning of the end of our Greek Church. I am officially the first of many to publicly come out and say, I want nothing to do with St.Anthanasius of Arlington, or there Councils political Baloney. Yes, they may have been turmoil, but we faught through it and always found a way to co exist. By Relieving Father Nick of his duties, you are in fact relieving half the church of there membership.Please Let me be as clear as possible. Without Father Nick, I want absolutely 100% nothing to do with your church. Please remove my name from your mailing list, your membership list, and from anything else to do with the church. This absolutely disgust me, how politics have taken over and the church, Our great beautiful giving Church is now run as a business not a house of GOD. YOUR MAKING ,A HUGE MISTAKE! -only god may judge, only god may relieve! Sincerely, GEORGE DRIZOS X- Member of the St.Anthanasius Greek Orthodox Church of Arlington. 21 Montvale ave,Woburn Ma,01
I strongly believe Father Nick is the best priest for the congregation
Please bring back Father Nick
Father Kastanas is not only our beloved priest, but a true servant of the Church and a dedicated pastor to each and every person he met. I sign this heartbroken, not just as a lifelong parishioner and steward but as a former OCF president, parish council officer, stewardship chairperson, chair of parish communications, current Sunday school teacher/ assistant director, and tonsured reader... I write this as a committed young adult, dismayed at the malicious actions being carried out by a minority in our community and the hierarchy who we should be able to count on for Christ focused leadership. And I write this not just because I love Father Nick, but because through his patience, humility, wisdom, and love I, like so many others, have learned what it means to be a Christian from a true disciple of Christ and I see already the damage that this action to remove him is causing to the body of Christ here in our community and beyond to all those who Father Nick has touched in his many decades of service as a priest and teacher. I ask everyone who has read this to please, please sign this petition to send a message to the leadership who are treating a valued priest as a disposable commodity. I ask you to pray, for Father Kastanas, his family, our community, and the men who are driving this decision - that their hearts may be turned from spite to repentance. Finally, if you are at all local to Arlington MA I ask you to attend Liturgy at St. Athanasius this Sunday (July 30th) at 9:15am and pour your love out on this wonderful priest.