ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
In the video below (after 1:05:00), the priest at St. Catherine’s of West Palm Beach, Fr. Chrysostom Mitchell, explains that the “Archdeacon” Michael Karloutsos will deliver Holy Communion to a young boy named Mike!… Yes, it can be allowed, but considering that in Panama one day he was ordained a deacon and the next an ”Archdeacon”, how fast should we expect him to become a “priest”? (Emphasis on quotation marks…)
By Nick Stamatakis
Everyone knows the power game within the Greek-American Orthodox community, even if no one wants to talk about it.
So let’s just say it.
There was nothing confusing about Michael Karloutsos’s becoming a deacon in early February in Panama (!!). And becoming an …Archdeacon a day later… Without a liturgical role or theological background.
And there is nothing confusing about him serving Holy Communion on Sunday, March 29, in St. Catherine’s of West Palm Beach… (Yes, this is the Church with the $40 million property that the “Phanar gang of thieves” decided to sell…)
Sure, a deacon could participate in the Divine Liturgy. Sure, a theology degree is optional.
This is not the problem.
The problem is that Michael Karloutsos is an example of a highly specific power junction—business, political, and clerical connections. Through “daddy” Karloutsos…
For example, Michael Karloutsos has been publicly labeled as Hard Rock’s representative in the fight over the casino in Elliniko, which is perhaps the biggest development controversy in Greece. Does this wreak of immorality? Does the Church bless gambling? Who cares? We are dealing with the “Phanar Gang of Thieves”. In addition, Michael Karloutsos has been and is involved in civil litigation related to fraud. Again, who cares?
The surname is also a problem. Daddy Karloutsos has been a State Dept. and CIA agent for decades. Just his ties to the Turkish religious leader Fetullah Gülen say all that needs to be said. The CIA used both Kalroutsos and Gülen (and many others) to overthrow Erdogan in a coup ten years ago… Kalroutsos is not allowed to enter Turkey… Let me stop here – although I could write a thick book with Karloutsos ‘ involvement in Ukraine and elsewhere…
PHOTOS: From the infamous ordination in Panama…
In other words, we are not talking here about one newly appointed deacon. We are talking about the system.
Because in any normal case, a person with this profile—a gambling lobbyist with high-level access and legal controversy—would raise immediate concerns about suitability for the diaconate.
Instead, the faithful see rapid elevation, visibility, and participation at the center of the Divine Liturgy.
That is why they are concerned—not about the canons, but about how selectively they are applied.
The credibility of the Orthodox Church in America is already under strain, especially among younger believers, watching whether standards are applied equally.
In a case like this, those doubts deepen.
The altar should be free from worldly power. When the same figures from business headlines appear at Holy Communion, the problem is no longer theoretical.
It is immediate.
There is no need for any bishop to explain anything. The faithful know the rules.
What they expect is quite different: an explanation of the decision-making process.
Until it happens, one question will remain open:
Not “Can he serve?”
But “Why him?”
And something more: We hope the Atlanta Metropolis will not continue its effort to sell the $40 million property. The survey was loud and clear: 90% OF THE PARISHIONERS SAID NO TO THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY!!! What doesn’t Karloutsos understand?
WHEN WILL ENOUGH FINALLY BE ENOUGH??
PS. What is the meaning of Mike Karloutsos’ wife, Anastasia, being called “Deaconessa” – as she regularly signs her name now? The title would mean something if she were somehow ordained… How ridiculous can this clan be… Has anybody ever seen a priest’s wife sign as “priestess” or “παπαδιά”? Lord, have mercy…
April 5, 2026, 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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BELOW THE FULL VIDEO OF ST. CATHERINE’S SERVICE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 29 – PLEASE PAY ATTENTION AFTER 1:05:00
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The titles Deaconessa and Presybetera are regularly used for clergy wives. This is nothing new. Deacons are also permitted to give communion with the blessing of the bishop or parish priest. I’ve seen this at parishes with one priest and one deacon, each serving a separate line for communion.
Yes but in this case there is a big BUT and it has to do with the expediency of the whole matter and the lack of morality as Mike Karloutsos is involved in a very serious legal case….Also, has anyone seen any priest’s wife sign as «priestess” or “παπαδιά”? Lord have mercy…
Joseph, it’s actually Diakonissa and Presbytera (or Presvytera).
“?WHEN WILL ENOUGH FINALLY BE ENOUGH??”
Answer: When the bishops, priests, and church members throw the bastards out. That’s when enough will finally be enough. But they are too weak to stand up for Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Yikes. Too bloody ludicrous.
You’ve got to be kidding us?
Talk about NEPOTISM run amok
All smoke & mirrors folks. Nothing surprises from Rasputin’s clique & family.
I know a deacon’s wife & asked her if she signs herself as a Deaconess / “No way” she said, “Where did you hear that?
Lord have mercy! Deaconess is something that the enemies of the OC have been trying very hard to push on us, for female deacons. I have been to plenty of churches here and abroad and I never heard this term used for the wife of a priest! The only church that has a deaconess is in the Alexandria patriarchate, but then again, that is not the only uncanonical thing the Alexandria church did. She actually is serving communion too, goes in the altar, etc so the delusion has no end, once people depart from canons! They had to change the ceremony because the female deacon did not fit with ordaining her. How far are we willing to depart from cannons?
Absolutely correct… Please not that the Patriarch of Alexandria, Theodoros, was part of the ordination of Michael Karloutsos in Panama… You can actually see him in the photos in this post.
I’ve known clergy wives who have taken their titles to their graves, long after their husbands have reposed. It is characteristic of our secularized culture not to use such titles for wives of clergy, and it also sadly reflects a lack of piety.
…and if we want to be honest, Deaconesses, at some point in time, were female helpers assisting in baptism and other matters, when adult females were baptized, since they were baptized naked. They were NOT female deacons and they did NOT serve communion, like “deaconess” Angelic does here:
https://publicorthodoxy.org/good-reads/ordination-of-deaconess-angelic/
This is an invention of the enemies of our OC that are pushing for female ordination, and most of us here, know who those enemies are!
This is step one for him to grab his father’s $200,000 plus salary and his mother’s salary from the GOA which is in addition any parish salaries they got.