Why Fr. Sfikas, Bishop Timothy, and Met. Nathanael “canceled” elections and dictatorially imposed an “interim board” at one of GOA’s most historic, hard-working, and productive Philoptochos Chapters? When will the so-called “leadership” reign in such unwarranted practices by priests and hierarchs that drive the faithful away? Do they realize they are leading a Church and a community with deep-rooted democratic practices? When will they follow the rules of transparency and accountability? Are they trying to hide their wrongdoings by violating the by-laws and practices of the Philoptochos Organization? Why does the National Philoptochos act indifferently?
By Nick Stamatakis
It was very disturbing to see some of the history and the accompanying documents describing the interaction between the Philoptochos of the Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago and the priest and the hierarchy of the Metropolis during the last year and the years earlier. It all resulted in a total disruption with Met. Nathanael’s letter of June 2, 2023. Nathanael imposed an “interim board” for one year (until June 14, 2024) and threw the by-laws of a separate 501c3 organization in the trash can.
The Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Board rubber-stamped this, thereby acknowledging the Metropolitan’s self-assumed authority to dictate to the Philoptochos. The National Philoptochos Board consented to Metropolitan Nathanael’s self-assumed authority by not promptly acting upon the complainants’ objection to the imposed board. The inaction of the National Philoptochos Board reinforces the attempts of the hierarchy to control the Philoptochos.
On August 7, 2023, after exhausting local efforts, members of the Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago Philoptochos Chapter sent a 10-page Letter of Objection
supplemented with exhibits (Helleniscope has them) to the National Philoptochos Board. This was followed up with an Addendum in early October and a series of emails between August and November.
The National Philoptochos Board acted largely indifferently in front of a colossal violation of their charter and by-laws. They managed to have only one meeting and allowed only one (!!) of the complainants of the Annunciation illegally replaced Philiptochos to participate. And they later refused to provide a recording of this Zoom meeting! Right before Christmas, the National Philoptochos Board explained in an email that the investigation had been concluded and that the decisions reached would be communicated by mid-January by Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Spiritual Advisor Chancellor Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion and by Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago Philoptochos Society Spiritual Advisor and Father Stamatios G. Sfikas.
Photo: Fr. Stamatios Sfikas
How the National Philoptochos Board has handled this matter is unconscionable. Not only did the National Philoptochos Board fail to take swift or immediate action according to their organization’s bylaws regarding a serious election (in this case, cancelation of planned elections). But they delayed in every possible way to provide a proper hearing, intervene, and lend a hand to their Chapter in Chicago in restoring order. Do they represent the hierarchs or the faithful who voluntarily spent their time and money to do Christ’s work in our community?
In essence, the National Philoptochos Board has ratified the unwarranted, illegal acts of the Hierarchy in the Metropolis of Chicago. Do they realize that the Philoptochos is a separate 501c3 organization? It also sets a bad precedent, allowing each Metropolis to make its own determination. There is no provision in the Philoptochos bylaws for a governance role by the Spiritual Advisors. Furthermore, the inequity of receiving the decisions of the National Board from Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion and Father Stamatios G Sfikas, parties to the board imposition, speaks to the lack of a proper investigation by the National Board and is dismissive of the signators’ concerns.
PHOTO: Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion (Bakakos) and Met. Nathanael
Neither of these Spiritual Advisors, Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion or Father Stamatios G.
Sfikas, in their spiritual roles, did anything to reach out to the complainants to offer spiritual solace to these dedicated chapter members. Bishop Timothy did offer a meeting, but that was only in response to the objectors’ request to meet him individually. The complainants (of the previous Philoptochos board) respectfully declined his meeting invitation as Bishop Timothy would only have the meeting in the presence of parties to and of the imposition. The complainants exhausted all local resources, including requesting a meeting with Metropolitan Nathanael, who couldn’t fit it into his schedule…
The Saint Basil Academy Connection: Is this a broader plan by the Archdiocese to control the National Philoptochos officially and its money and properties?
Recently, the National Philoptochos, deed holder of Saint Basil Academy, objected to the
Archbishop’s announcement that Saint Basil Academy would be sold. About a week later, the Archbishop stated that the property would not be sold and he stated that he had appointed an “Advisory Committee to provide its recommendations (insights) to the Ladies Philanthropic Brotherhood on the existing property and future opportunities.”
The issue in the case of both the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago Philoptochos and the National Philoptochos is the repeated attempts of the hierarchy to appropriate the self-governance of Philoptochos.
In the case of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago Philoptochos Chapter, it is the interference with the by-laws regarding elections. The election interference denies the membership the opportunity to choose its board while denying a member the opportunity to exercise her right to run for the board. The Philoptochos Mission includes promoting the Orthodox faith. Free will is most certainly a tenet of our faith. Sadly, the chapter was given no choice due to the hierarchical interference and consent of the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Society Board and the National Philoptochos Society Board.
I will close this disturbing story with an emphasis on the interaction between the Philoptochos of Annunciation and the local priest, Fr. Sfikas. Fr. Sfikas, using others, tried to evade requests by the Philoptochos to provide the proper documentation for expenses before payments were issued. Unfortunately, we have heard of similar situations many times before involving parish priests and their local hierarchs all over the country. They prove what we all know: in GOA, we deal with a culture of unaccountability and a permanent lack of transparency. Whoever dares (in our case, the illegally replaced Annunciation Philoptochos leadership) demand “receipts” and “proper handling of cash” is determined to be an “enemy.”… This phenomenon has only strengthened the last few years as an “Ottoman” culture of autocracy emanating from the Patriarchate has permeated the life of the Church. It should be everyone’s priority that we return to the “American” system we all grew up with, a system of openness and accountability.
January 7, 2024, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
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As you say”It should be everyone’s priority that we return to the “American” system we all grew up with, a system of openness and accountability.” and we expect our clergy to abide by this and be an example to the laity !
Excuse me , “We should return to the “Evangelical American “we all grew up with , a system of openness and accountability”…. Really! There has never been a system of openess and accoutabiity in America from the day it was formed ..just a racketeering and Portection racket system that promotes the “Empire of lies” to commit genocide , War Crimes , Crimes against humanity , Crimes against peace with Immunity because you law enforcement Agencies are all corrupt and nothnin less than a weaponized tool to allow them to not only fabricate false information to prosecute Political opponents to the ruling parties of our Government , but to allow them to break International , Domestic and Nuremburg Tribunal laws with immunity to dominate the entire world”s Economic , Political , and Military Assets and resources !
The only system of the “Evangelical Good American “who dominate the government of America has been to promote their white supremacy believe that they are the modern day chosen people of God with the Zionist Jews of Israel and America and are entitled to save the entire world , even if it kills them to bring Truth, Justice and the American way to all the countries of the world! When in fact if they were transparent and accountable to God or man …they would all be declared a “Terrorist State”….Nick has it right .. the clergy and Hiarchy all run the same system .because they are no longer religious institutions ,just “racketeers” of a business enterprise !
Michael, we are not talking about Evangelicals here but we refer to the times when 3-4 generations of Greek-Americans working together with their priests, built these 500 parishes with their substantial propertiew. Which properties are now about to be sold by the “Ottoman” Sultans who came from Turkey.
In navigating the complexities of leadership within the National Philoptochos, it appears there are concerns about adherence to bylaws and the allocation of funds. The dynamics between the President, Arlene Siavelis-Keil, and the Archbishop raise questions about the organization’s autonomy. The allocation disparities, such as the discrepancy between Greece wildfires and Turkish earthquake victims, add to the intrigue. The retention of over $400,000 in funds earmarked for St. Basil Academy, coupled with administrative fees, prompts reflection on the organization’s financial practices. The apparent shift in donation patterns coinciding with the Archbishop’s enthronement raises inquiries into potential influences on philanthropic decisions.
National Philoptochos should listen to its loyal membership. The Metropolis of Chicago has always been a powerhouse of leaders. They should not stand for this interference.