EDITOR’S NOTE (Nick Stamatakis). In this interview with UOJ (Union of Orthodox Journalists), an exploration of how the Patriarchate defines the concept of religious freedom: When it comes to Ukraine, the notion of “canonical” operations is expanded at will to include Schismatics and even Uniates and everybody else. But for Bishop Emilianos, the ax of fake “canonicity” drops instantly… Without even allowing communication or the defense of the accused… The Patriarchate’s “Band of Thieves” should have no doubt: Divine punishment is coming soon – in the form of a “peace deal” or a Russian military victory -, and it will be very swift…
Finally, when last October the faithful of St. Demetrios of Astoria had a 1,000-strong demonstration and yelled “GET THE TURKS OUT OF OUR CHURCH,” this is exactly what they meant!! They did not doubt that Bartholomew and Elpidophoros and the rest of the “Gang of Thieves” are “Greek,” but they pointed to the fact that they are acting like “Sultans”, with authoritarianism that does not belong to the Synodal, democratic Orthodox traditions…
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EXCLUSIVE: Bp. Emilianos Speaks to UOJ on EP’s Decision to Suspend His Liturgical Ministry
On February 10, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate described His Grace as “retired” and issued an ecclesiastical penalty of a six-month suspension from all sacred services. Bp. Emilianos claims he found out about the decision from a friend who saw a Facebook post.
FEB. 17, 2026 — Last Tuesday, February 10, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate issued decisions on the ministries of Bp. Emilianos of Meloa and Dcn. Christos Karafotias. His Grace Emilianos was formerly a hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and is a spiritual son of the revered Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra.
The decree states that “because of the canonical offenses into which they had fallen, the following ecclesiastical penalties were imposed: on the one hand, upon Bishop Emilianos, the ecclesiastical penalty of a six-month suspension from all sacred services; and on the other hand, upon Deacon Christos Karafotias, deposition from the high ministry of the priesthood and his return to the ranks of the laity.”
Dcn. Christos Karafotias then shared on Facebook that he had been accepted into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s (ROCOR) Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America back in December by Abp. Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, who has been serving as Locum Tenens of the diocese since the repose of Abp. Peter. He claims that, when seeking a blessing to study in the United States, he was told to find a new jurisdiction to be under. According to Karafotias, multiple attempts at communication with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia to facilitate his transfer were ignored. Because of the “constant disrespect” in ignoring communication, Karafotias stated, Abp. Gabriel moved ahead with accepting him.
“I am attacked because of my spiritual connection with His Grace Bishop Emilianos of Meloa who is like a father to me,” he said.
Bp. Emilianos, who is currently residing in the United States and has celebrated the liturgy at the Orthodox Church in America’s (OCA) cathedral in Dallas on numerous occasions, as well as given spiritual talks at various parishes, spoke to the Union of Orthodox Journalists of America about this decision. The exchange is published below.
UOJ: Before the decision of the Synod, was there any communication with Your Grace about what the supposed charges or accusations were?
Bp. Emilianos: There was no communication before, during or after. I had no idea someone accused me of something, I was not informed that I was accused by anyone (including the Synod where my accusation was presented), and I did not receive any correspondence whatsoever that a decision about the “case” had been made. A friend who saw a Facebook announcement online told me that I was punished. No official or direct communication whatsoever. Even the secular legal systems have a more Christian, humane approach.
UOJ: How has your education in the United States been going? I understand you are studying at Dallas Baptist University. What are you studying, and how has this assisted you in your pastoral work?
Bp. Emilianos: The educational journey in the United States is a great one so far. I was accepted into six universities in the United States, but I chose [Dallas Baptist University]. My choice has proven to be the right one, as all DBU professors embraced me with so much love that I cannot even begin to describe. Every single one of them is encouraging me to continue for a PhD. I was originally accepted in a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling, but after my first semester I requested to be transferred to the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling program. Given my GPA (3.89 out of 4.00) and my overall presence, church experience, publications, etc., they allowed me to do so right away. What I now learn is still counseling from a Christ-centered perspective — as it is a Christ-centered university — therefore, it simply guides me in how to assist the psychological needs of people, how to help them understand their human nature more, in order to accept themselves and focus on God without emotional obstacles.
UOJ: You have been welcomed to several parishes here in America, both to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and to offer spiritual talks. Is it possible for this to continue after the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, or are you forced to cease these appearances until the case is resolved in some way?
Bp. Emilianos: All the Patriarchate managed to do is to take away — more or less — six Divine Liturgies I would have celebrated at the OCA Cathedral in the next six months. I can live with it. They cannot stop me from talking about God, even if they were to canonically and unethically defrock me in the way they just punished me. However, I could write books about them with the things I know. It could be interesting. Also, I’m not interested in contacting them to resolve the case. Time will pass.
UOJ: You don’t have any plans to appeal the decision or ask to appear before a spiritual court to defend yourself?
Bp. Emilianos: Not interested. I have a very fulfilling life at the moment. I can’t waste my time and focus on unnecessary high school drama.
UOJ: Thank you, Your Grace.
This past weekend, Bp. Emilianos taught catechumens at Fr. Seraphim Holland’s parish in Texas, and Fr. Moses McPherson published a discussion with His Grace about his Geronda Aimilianos, who is venerated as a saint by many.
Previously, the UOJ reported that His Grace had given a talk on watchfulness and prayer at a parish in Massachusetts.
The charges against Emilianos are not known, but it seems like there is some petty bickering going on that is not becoming of bishops behind the scenes…
However, we can easily speculate that the deposing of the deacon may possibly have more to do with “petty punishment / retaliation” …Even though he was told to “find another jurisdiction that will accept you”, when he actually found one, he was not aware that ROCOR was not on the “approved list” (even though officially Constantinople never removed Moscow from its diptychs), so they are deposing him likely on the grounds that he left without a “canonical release”…If this speculation is proven true in the future, it would mean that they were probably “toying with the deacon” all along, with no intent of allowing him to do anything, and it wouldn’t be surprising if one day we find out that had already sent a private note to all bishops under Constantinople instructing them to “keep the door shut” on this man…so, presumably in this scenario, when he found someone “outside” the “good ol’ boy network”, they didn’t like it and the mandate of “find someone else who will accept you” did not apply…
This speculation is realistic in the sense that this type of scenario has been exhibited before in other cases that are well advertised in the past…the whispers of what has transpired to many priests and deacons over the years in N. America abound in parish halls across the map…
Bottom line: if they won’t come clean with the official charges, the laity won’t stop speculating on what happened.
How can a Bishop be suspended on the internet?
His Grace seems to be able to freely serve in the other Jurisdictions, so it seems the consensus is that he is being railroaded for political reasons. A 6 month suspension is a slap on the wrist for a Bishop. I imagine once the suspension is over, His Grace will be seeking a canonical release (The OCA or ROCOR would probably take him happily). Is this a trend? Greeks who dissent from the EP’s positions are dismissed and told (by word or deed): “Fine! Go to the Russians.” Or considered “Russian assets” (as Archbishop Anastasios of Blessed Memory and currently Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem is).
His Grace has done so much (along with Father Maximos Constas) to bring Elder Aimilianos’ life and teachings to the English speaking world. I pray his good work continues.
Perhaps this is just done to scare him, to make him stay “in his place”. But if he won’t, His Grace will be received with open arms somewhere else, just like Fr. Peter. Any other jurisdiction will be blessed to have him. Perhaps this is a new trend, but maybe a good one, to divide the true pastors from the wolves disguised in sheep clothing.
I wish the bishop and deacon must success with their new lives. They must look forward and never backward….like Lot! 🙏