ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
OUR MAIN PHOTO: Bartholomew forced on AB Demetrios the election of Apostolos as Bishop and later insisted on making him Metropolitan of NJ… Being proven ANAXIOS and involved in all kinds of sexual scandals, he became a Metropolitan… While Fr. Gilbert is being prosecuted on the basis of the equivalent of hearsay…
Helleniscope’s sources within the “Gay Colony” of the Phanar report that the Patriarchate is gravely displeased with Archbishop Elpidophoros’ decision to investigate Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert and ultimately summon him before the “Spiritual Court” this Monday. According to our sources, the Patriarch himself sent a series of angry messages to Elpidophoros: “Our policy is very strict: not only do we not punish homosexuality but we reward it!” He reportedly continued: “In 2019, I promoted Emmanuel and Maximos immediately after the ‘Bulgarian Gay Escorts Scandal. ‘ Later, I pressured AB Dimitrios to make my close ‘friend’ Apostolos (Koufalakis) a Bishop, and later in 2023, I insisted on electing Apostolos as the Metropolitan of New Jersey!! “Yes”, said Bartholomew, “I knew that in October 2011 Nick Andriotis rapidly expelled Apostolos from St. Demetrios in Astoria for being caught in the act with a prominent (male) member of the parish.” Sources further claim that Patriarch Bartholomew has demanded Fr. Gilbert’s promotion if the gossipy allegations against him are ultimately proven true, arguing that such circumstances are a sure sign of ecclesiastical excellence, according to the new “woke” ecclesiology of the Phanar, supported by the Fordhamites…. (Those who are interested in a brief true biography of Met. Apostolos, please link here)
By Nick Stamatakis
Let’s get serious now…
Less than 12 hours after Helleniscope posted the call of the “Rally Committee” for a Wednesday, June 10, 6 pm rally outside the GOARCH headquarters on East 79th Street, the Archdiocese announced “the conclusion of the investigation” and the conference of the “Spiritual Court” on Monday June 8 (you can see it at the bottom of this post – from the Orthodox Observer).
It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the prospect of a public demonstration outside GOARCH headquarters significantly influenced the Archdiocese’s decision-making. It brings to mind the old Greek saying: “Even the saints need a little fear (or intimidation)!”
Helleniscope has examined the history of the use of the “Spiritual Court” within GOARCH, and we will return with a more detailed analysis in a future article. However, the case of Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert presents several unusual and troubling aspects.:
First, the evidence against Fr. Gilbert would, under normal legal standards, be classified as hearsay—in other words, gossip. While legal standards do not formally apply in an ecclesiastical proceeding, they nevertheless carry significance. If a photograph of Fr. Gilbert appearing on an inappropriate website is considered sufficient evidence of a moral lapse, then we are opening the door to an almost limitless range of accusations. Today’s internet—and modern life generally—is saturated with nudity, sexually suggestive material, and content that could be construed in countless ways.
Ironically, GOARCH itself provided a recent example. Just two months ago, its own Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria hosted performances featuring nudity and extreme vulgarity. Will the Spiritual Court pursue Fr. Gilbert while leaving Fr. Gregory Stamkopoulos—who permitted such performances—untouched? This question becomes even more pressing when one considers that Fr. Gilbert is widely regarded as a beloved, successful, charismatic, and accomplished priest, while Fr. Stamkopoulos is the exact opposite.
Finally, the Constantinople Patriarchate and its practical blessing of homosexuality present a serious issue. How will the Spiritual Court in New York punish Fr. Gilbert in such lightly founded gossipy allegations when the Patriarchate has a long history of blessing homosexuality? What if Fr. Gilbert’s “wrongdoings” fall in the wide category of “temptations” each one of us, and particularly the priests, has to deal with daily? Also, why is GOARCH supporting LGBTQ “tolerance” by the Fordhamites while appearing so “strict” on a perceived moral violation by Fr. Gilbert?
If AB Elpidophoros continues down this path, he may discover that public scrutiny is not a one-way street. One wonders whether photographs or incidents from his own younger years might someday surface through the efforts of less-than-friendly observers. After all, was it not his former professor, Ms. Lialiou, who revealed his less-than-stellar academic accomplishments? (Yes, she retracted somewhat later under very heavy pressure…)
Let me close this article by emphasizing a few facts…. Going back to October 2011, when Andriotis kicked out of Astoria Fr. Apostolos (now Metropolitan of NJ) for his homosexual acts, who do you think replaced him in Astoria? Nektarios (Papazafiropoulos), now Bishop of Diokleias, General Chancellor of GOA, and president of the Spiritual Court to convene next Monday. How will Bishop Nektarios preside over this Spiritual Court, when he knows IN EVERY DETAIL the story of Met. Apostolos? How will he deliver Justice? Especially when he compares his own unworthiness (before destroying Astoria, he was basically thrown out of West Babylon – and please do NOT challenge me on this because this is my neighborhood!!) with the charisma of Fr. Gilbert?
Finally, let me underline the “journalistic” qualities of Kalmoukos and the National Herald. In 2011, although they knew everything and they had reported about the other sexual scandal where Apostolos participated (with the nuns of Chrysovalantou Monastery), they reported NOTHING about St. Demetrios “gay scandal” involving Apostolos. Why? Because the strongman Andriotis told them so… Andriotis was providing a big chunk of the “newspaper’s” advertising and other income…
Good luck to everyone involved as they confront not only the allegations before them, but also their own contradictions, selective memories, and unresolved histories.
Our advice to Fr. Gilbert: Plan to appeal any negative outcome to the Secondary Spiritual Court (led by the Archbishop) and to the Patriarchate… The contradictions involved will only benefit you personally and the Church in its entirety…
Jun 4, 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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PLAN TO ATTEND THE RALLY OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 6 PM OUTSIDE 79TH STREET
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Archbishop Elpidophoros directs Spiritual Court to convene regarding Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert
NEW YORK, NY — Upon returning from his visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Mount Athos, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America reviewed the results of the recently concluded investigation concerning allegations involving Rev. Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert.
Following his review of the investigative findings, Archbishop Elpidophoros has directed that a Spiritual Court be convened on June 8, 2026, in accordance with the Holy Canons and Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The Spiritual Court will be presided over by His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, National Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
The members of the Spiritual Court are:
- Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Elias Villis, Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District
- Very Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostom Panos
- Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Peter Orfanakos
- Rev. Protopresbyter Nicholas Dassouras
- Rev. Protopresbyter Nikoforos Fakinos
The Spiritual Court will consider the matters referred to it and conduct its proceedings in accordance with the ecclesiastical procedures of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
As this matter is now before the Spiritual Court, the Archdiocese will have no further comment pending the conclusion of those proceedings.
Selective outrage is not holiness; when a church hierarchy prosecutes the inconvenient while looking away from sexual deviancy among the protected, it becomes less a guardian of the faith than a clerical protection racket. Heaven help us.
If nothing else, thank goodness Bartholomew’s ‘double standard gay clique’ is finally exposed!!
Frankly everyone is amazed
the Archbishop even suspended
Rev. Gilbert – no wonder the crazy Patriarch is furious.
Zoey I was kidding with the introduction about the Patriarch… but I am happy it’s so believable….
If this administrative “spiritual court” was truly canonical and lawful, its presiding judge, Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, would recuse himself.
He reportedly leaked to a reporter, Theodore Kalmoukos, the “news” that he has in his possession copies of incriminating evidence, specifically the priest’s private emails to an unnamed adult that contain some offensive language. In other words, Nektarios has already made up his mind in this case.
How can he now be an impartial judge? Any decision by this tribunal will be null and void.
The other members of this kangaroo court are also biased and should recuse themselves on similar grounds. They are active participants in the charade prosecution.
I would also question how they obtained the evidence. If it was done through illegal means, such as invading Fr. Gilbert’s privacy, the evidence must be excluded from consideration.
“Equal protection of the law” mandates — as Nick points out in his phenomenal reports — that Fr. Gilbert be treated the same way as others who have committed similar offenses and, indeed, worse crimes but are now living the good life of a GOA hierarchy. Hypocrisy matters, and it must not be tolerated.
If I were Fr. Gilbert, I would consult with a wrongful termination lawyer — not necessarily on canon law, which they also have violated, but primarily on their terminating him and disparaging his reputation before they even concluded their “investigation of the facts.” They botched it up badly and should pay for it.
I also find it interesting that they repeatedly emphasize that Fr. Gilbert’s offensive communication was with an adult. Why emphasize that it was with an adult? Would they prefer a minor?
I assume it’s because they want to have their cake and eat it too. On the one hand they are crucifying Fr. Gilbert because they are “shocked, utterly shocked” that he is gay; and on the other hand they are sending a message that this is a victimless wrongdoing between consenting adults. In other words, they are saying “We owe nothing to the victim, because he is an adult.”
The contradiction is clear. They are underplaying it to one, and overplaying it to the other. In the process, they are destroying the accused’s reputation before he gets due process, which he is absolutely entitled to by American law and by our Sacred Canons.
Real lives are involved here, as is the very existence of our Church. Through their conduct, our church leaders have lost any legitimacy they ever had. Shame on them!
Many of us are in contact with fr. Chrysostomos. He telling us the truth about what is going on at the archdiocese and what the archbishop is doing to him. How he is not handling the matter properly or allowing him to be at his parish. He did nothing wrong,
None of what is being reported is true. We must stop this corrupt archbishop and we are going to protest for him. We have to stick up for him he is innocent of any wrong doing. The board of the cathedral is useless and won’t support him, especially the leadership past and present.
Then you should join all the other faithful in the rally!
Nick, I ask a simple question, what do you believe is justice for Fr. Gilbert? I realize and accept that the has not always exercised equitable justice but what do you suggest should be done in this situation?
I hear from the parishioners that there is no evidence in his case, not even the shaky stuff they present as evidence… if I am going to decide I need to see what basis is he accused on. But so far the procedure – using the press, etc. – is damning for the prosecutors…
Cathedral parishioner,
NOW, it’s time for the conspiracy theorists (and simple investigative journalists) in your parish and elsewhere to have a field day…
For many years, there are names of those “patiently waiting their turn” on the “GOARCH list of men eligible for the episcopacy”…
Isn’t it a direct and ethical “conflict of interest” to have a “fellow candidate” to the “lucrative episcopacy” on the judging panel for a fellow candidate? See the article above…
V. Rev. Chrysostomos Panos (Χρυσόστομος Πᾶνος)
Hopefully it’s not what it seems….but there are serious ethical concerns about the “fairness” about what is to transpire on Monday, given this “list of men eligible for the episcopacy”…
Is there perhaps something brewing in the near future, in terms of a vote or vacancy for a Metropolis?
Who remembers today how the “timing” of a similar “accusation” temporarily removed a high-ranking contender from that list a few years ago?…just enough time ironically to allow a “clear-sailing” of the vote in favor of the current Metropolitan of Chicago? (the announcement of the scandal was made on Feb 2, and the vote occurred on Feb 7, of 2018)…
https://www.ekklisiaonline.gr/nea/ipa-sok-prokali-apokalypsi-tou-protosygkellou-tis-archiepiskopis-gia-ton-p-gerasimo-makri/
Do they have to tell us what goes on and the facts etc
No. But they have to announce their decision
Very sick group of individuals. I didn’t realize things were this bad. It’s really disgusting.
They are swine. Swine pretending to be hierarchs.
Why is Rally after the spiritual court instead of before? And I hear Elpi & his gang will not be at archdiocese June 10 but in Brookville.
The people first decided and then the Archdiocese set the Court date. The people can decide to change but the announcement of the rally obviously had an effect already.
Yes, Father Gilbert should be investigated. But so should faithless Elpi, brainless Nektarios and especially his brother Panagioti, THE SLY AND DEVIANT APOSTOLOS who is the mother of the whole sinful batch. And of course the Madam and Pimp of the GOAA. I’m really anxious to see what the verdict of the spiritual court will be. My only advice to Fr. Gilbert is
SPILL YOUR GUTS OUT AND START REVEALING Everything you KNOW ABOUT THEM AND
OTHERS. If they decide to take you down, help us CLEANSE THE CHURCH.
Hello everyone.
When are we as Orthodox Christians and members of the greatest Archdiocese (at one time), stand up for everything which by the Grace Of God, and with his divine and sacred inspiration, have built. Our Church was the dominant and most significant part of our life. We raised our families in this Church. We nurtured them in our Faith. We were led by noble, faithful, capable and distinguished Archbishops, Metropolitans, Bishops and Priests. Until 2019 that is. And then….my friends, that’s when the destruction and desecration of everything we held and hold as Holy collapsed. Ground ZERO. And all this with the “blessings” of the one who “holds” the reigns of the Church. How sad. We have experienced tremendous agony and pain. We will not succumb to their unorthodox ways. We must join our efforts as Christian’s, as families, as Parises, as Clergy
As Metropolises and start inflicting our own type of pain on them. They must begin to feel what we have these past 6 years. But since nothing phases them, we must hit them where it hurts most. In the pocket. Metropolitans, encourage your Clergy and their Parishes to stop the fat cow from giving them milk. Stop the cash flow to the Archdioceae and Patriarchate. Demand that the Patriarch remove Elpidoforo and all who control bite to the desecration of the Church. Priest, you have the power. Metropolitans, you have the ultimate power to overthrow this archbishop. Do it now and together we will continue to build our Church here in America from the ground up that’s exactly where it currently is. Ground 0. No more. For the sake of our children and grandchildren. God be with you all and may the Holy Spirit guide us all to freedom.
Ground zero church must be a money laundering scam. Look at the facts. No parishioners. Heavy involvement from the ultra high net worth Greeks. It also has a special friends of Saint Nicholas organization. What church has this arrangement? Designated a national shrine for special purposes. And an executive director. In addition to a priest. Several priests from what I have seen there. What is going on there. Of course no real account and money info will be provided except the cooked statements prepared by Allen and co who are profiting from this with Psaros who installed her and many others. The people must put an end to this corruption of their churches and money. Protest the corruption and demand justice
This is how the unwanted priests and bishops are treated:
https://spzh.eu/en/news/93527-archbishop-of-cyprus-to-metropolitan-tychicus-if-you-dont-move-out-yourselves-ill-call-the-police
What’s next? Who’s next? What kind of Christian kindness and brotherly love are we seeing?
Nick, by now you should have obtained the police reports proving the French Scandal… I haven’t seen anything substantial against Emanuel… and also kind you quite often these days”scandals” are staged provocations by unintelligent Deep State infiltrators whose interest (ala Epstein/Maxwell) is to compromise either stupid or naive men/women of power (Politicians, Businessmen, Clergy) in order to puppeteer Influential Institutions and expand their social control with such psy-ops… Father Gilbert could be a victim of such a plot… still our Clergymen should be wiser than that. There was a similar sting operations against Father Gerasimos Makris by some… “proselyte nuns” which again did not succeed to have Father Gerasimos defrocked or paused from his post. Now you seem to insinuate that Metropolitan Apostolos is both a homosexual and a heterosexual????? Did Nick Andriotis file a report against him and can you publish it? I am afraid gossip and rumour spreading is the work of the Devil… also the investigation of Father Chrysostom Gilbert doesnt seem to chime in with your purported pro-Homosexual agent that you accuse the GOARCH and Elpidoforos of engaging in… maybe Elpidoforos graduated from his naive protoAmerican WOKE phase and finally he is learning his lesson to place the Church above the lures of the Master Prince of this world which is the Devil. Let’s not forget our Clergy and Hierarchs arw themselves fallible humans (unlike the Ambassador of the Devil in this world which is the Pope with their 1000 year old genocidal Crusade wars against Christianity aka Orthodoxy) but our role as laity is to help them keep in line with the TRIFECTA (Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, Holy Canons). A good measure to reign in Clergy gone astray is for ArchBishop Elpidoforos to return to the Canonical practice for Priests’ attire and mandate the wearing of the “Rasso” AND the “Kalimafki”… Also Nick you haven’t written anything about the end of the Saint Bart’s questionable festivities over the Saint Bartholomew Feastday… this year the similar celebration will take place in a Christian Church (resundantly called Orthodox as the Orthodox are the ONLY bona fide Christians in this world) ie the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville, Long Island New York
No this not a staged provocation by any deep state. It’s the result of arrogance and perversity of Emnanuel. First, he hired Maximos (of Melitinis) as an assistant knowing he doesn’t speak a word of French. Why? Because he had other uses first him if you get my drift. 2) I know what the report says because my information came through the interpreter for the Police when they arrived after the Bulgarian gay escorts stole $400,000 of Maximos’ jewelery and he stupidly – because he is certifiably stupid – called the Police. I know what the Police report says but only the supervising authority (Bartholomew) can get it from the French Police – and nobody else. Do you understand now?
So when will we see or hear the decision of the court? I am sincerely hoping soon so we can confirm
What we already know. Let’s see….
When will we hear decision of the Spiritual Court?
Tsougarakis & legal team will deliberately advise Archbishop to wait at least a week .
Releasing a harsh final verdict
immediately after Fr. Gilbert’s apology letter would make the church look disorganized.
They want public emotion to cool down!
They did not even announce in the Orthodox Observer or in their website the apology and Villis’ letter!! What do you expect from these corrupt agents?