ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
Bartholomew has elected Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey as the new Archbishop of Canada despite years of controversy surrounding his rise through the ecclesiastical ranks. For many observers, the appointment raises fresh questions about accountability, transparency, and the criteria by which Orthodox hierarchs are promoted.
By Helleniscope’s Editorial Team
The election of Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey as the new Archbishop of Canada will undoubtedly be presented by official church outlets as an orderly succession and a distinguished promotion. For Helleniscope, however, it is another deeply troubling example of advancement within the ecclesiastical establishment despite years of unanswered questions concerning Apostolos’s conduct, judgment, financial priorities, and suitability for high office.
The Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected Apostolos to succeed Archbishop Sotirios of Canada, whose lengthy tenure is now coming to an end. The decision places Apostolos at the head of one of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s most important jurisdictions in North America.
Helleniscope has repeatedly reported allegations concerning Apostolos’s earlier life and ministry. These include claims of sexual misconduct in Greece and an alleged sexual encounter with an adult male member of the St. Demetrios community in Astoria – along with many more with the infamous scandal of the nuns in St. Irene Chrysovalantou. According to Helleniscope’s previous accounts, his departure from New York in 2011 occurred abruptly, shortly after the alleged incident, and he was transferred to the Metropolis of San Francisco. These allegations have not, to our knowledge, resulted in a publicly disclosed ecclesiastical investigation or formal finding.
His stay in San Francisco was equally troubling and Met. Gerasimos demanded his immediate removal. He then went to Istanbul, where he developed close relationships with influential figures, particularly Patriarch Bartholomew. Helleniscope has previously reported that Bartholomew strongly supported his elevation to the episcopacy despite initial resistance from then-Archbishop Demetrios of America. Apostolos was eventually elected Bishop of Medeia in 2014.
His rise continued. In 2023, following the recommendation of Patriarch Bartholomew, he was unanimously elected Metropolitan of New Jersey. The official record emphasizes his theological education and administrative service. Helleniscope’s assessment of his tenure has been far less favorable, particularly regarding what we view as an excessive concern with money, ceremonial status, institutional control, and personal advancement.
Repentance and spiritual restoration remain possible for every Christian. But repentance requires truth, humility, accountability, and a visible change of conduct. It cannot simply be presumed because a cleric receives another title or promotion.
The central question is therefore not whether Apostolos can be presented with another impressive official biography. It is whether the serious allegations raised over many years were ever honestly investigated and whether his conduct as Metropolitan of New Jersey demonstrated the pastoral humility expected of an Orthodox hierarch.
Canada’s faithful deserve clear answers. Instead, they are being given another carefully managed succession and another promotion authorized by the same ecclesiastical system that has repeatedly declined to address the underlying accusations publicly.
Apostolos now receives greater authority, greater prestige, and control over a larger ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Whether this represents spiritual leadership or merely another victory for patronage, money, and ambition will be judged by his actions—and by the willingness of the faithful to demand accountability.
In a few words: Apostolos is “bad news,” and the faithful of Canada need to worry for this double-faced member of the “Gang of Thieves” of Istanbul leading their Church…
July 22, 2026, www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
It’s called “failing up.”
Initial conclusions:
1) Elpidophoros is satisfied because Apostolos is no longer around him (remember the drama prior to Apostolos being named metropolitan of NJ?)
2) Apostolos is rewarded for his unwavering loyalty to the Patriarch. It is unclear what track record he left behind in NJ, but rumor has it he spent a lot of time traveling around with the Patriarch the last couple of years….
3) Whoever is drooling over the new vacancy in NJ is really happy about fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert being removed from the competition a few weeks back (in a similar manner of style and timing as when they made fr. Gerasimos Makris temporarily inelligible to clear the way for Nathaniel to “conveniently” have less competition for Chicago…)
Even Hollywood can’t come up with scenarios like this…
It is rumored that Bishop Athinagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) will be the one for NJ… Lots of smiles but a faithful soldier of the Gang of thieves…
Oh, let us not forget this!
https://www.helleniscope.com/2020/02/21/andriotis-and-the-three-stooges-koufalakis-koularmanis-eliades/
Apostolos, judging from what I have seen is anaxios of leading a church, never mind an archdiocese. His only qualification is how much of a poodle he will be to Bartholomeau. Obviously, he succeeded. He is now getting his pat on the head, his belly rub and the Canadian archdiocese as the bone.
The self-promotion, while in New Jersey was nausiating. He employed a photographer, that would take hundreds of pictures, while he was conducting the liturgy, with flash, distracting parishioners from the liturgy itself. Even behind the altar, the flash would go off. When he held the chalice, in front of the Royal doors, the flash would go off.
When he was at our parish, during the blessing of the waters, on Holly Cross day, there would be the youth, from all over the metropolis attending the liturgy. When I called the office and complained to his secretary, about the disrespectful picture taking, she said that he would continue as he is. When I asked, what if the parents were taking pictures of their children in the church, he said it is not allowed. When I pointed out the hypocrisy, I also told him that I would walk out of the church next time he takes pictures.
I also heard that he would peruse through the pictures the next day and post the ones that made him look his best. Why would a true hierarch bother himself with pictures, as if he’s some teenage girl, putting herself on instagram is only obvious. He wanted to present himself as a true candidate for higher office.
That’s our church. All surface and no substance. All celibate clergy are suspect, as far as we know so far. Why would they give up the joy of family and the pleasures of the flesh, if they didnt expect a reward, in this world. Such as higher position. The way they act is self evident, that they don’t care how un-Christian are their actions. They are accustomed to hand kissing, luxurious travel and accommodations, treating their clergy tyranically and the faithful with contempt. Just as Christ called out the Temple priests and the Saherdin, hypocrites and likened them to a tomb, clean outside but full of bones and corruption inside
Well said.
The current archbishop of Canada resigned voluntarily or someone twisted his arm? We still don’t know why Evangelos, the former metropolitan of New Jersey was removed! Another demonstration of Phanar and GOARCH transparency…
Bob, I am in shock about this arrogant picture taking for self promotion by a bishop that does not serve God but chose to serve hell.
My simpleton suggestion to the lay community. You must take back your churches. You must OWN the real estate. Then kick them out via no salaries and perks. The only way out of this debauchery. Money was raised by the church members to support the church buildings, mortgages, and maintenance of the churches. STOP. ASAP.
Go to court. Create a separate account for funding the court case. Take the churches and return them to the lay community. The governing hierarchy is killing the GOA!
Stop all the complaints and take the only action that will body check these incompetent grifters : WITHHOLD THE EXTORTION FEES PAID TO THE ARCHDIOCESE. ( that’s what they are since parishes receive nothing of value in return )
There is no other solution. Witness the tone and processes of the Clergy-Laity this month. These guys are all Girlie-Men living high off the misplaced sense of duty we think we owe the church.
Withhold the assessment. Am I correct in assuming that that number is 35% of the parish’s annual budget?
FUP, you receive nothing of value? Who provides your priest and prepares him for the priesthood? Apparently, you believe priests have no value.
Jk,
Exactly! The Freemasons priests of AHEPA have no value at all! They are just performing liturgies and sacraments without the presence of the Holy Spirit. They are of no value to their flock…
Provides your priest? Parishes pay the priest’s salary. Prepares him for Priesthood? The seminary does, and the graduate comes out of it with tens or hundreds of thousands in debt. Are you that dense, or are you just on the GOA payroll?
jk, that makes no sense. No priest as far as I know is “provided” by the GOA. If by provision you mean they train some man at their expense and pay his salary.
George, obviously trained and then assigned by the the diocese.
George, JK has clearly no idea how parishes operate. And this lack of knowledge is exactly what GOA preys on – loot and pillage while the unwitting parishioners kiss their hands with deep reverence.
Here is the budget posted online by St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Report from the Treasurer for the period January through June 2026
Financial Highlights
Revenue- Operating
• Stewardship was $103 thousand vs. a budget of $118 thousand resulting in a shortfall of $15
thousand
• Our festival gross income was over $121K, expenses were $59K, resulting in net revenue
revenue of $62K. Expenses were $13K over last year.
• Total operating income was $165K vs budget of $195K, $30K below projection
• Bank balance as of June 30 was $40,621.
Operating Expenses:
• Total operating expenses were $187K vs a budget of $190K, $3K below budget. Without the
festival income, operating expenses would have been only $125K.
Mortgage
• Mortgage donations were $26K, cell tower income was $13K, yielding a total income stream
of $39K.
• Bank balance as of June 30 was $13,600.
• Mortgage expense was $86.6K.
• To meet mortgage payments, the church was $47.6K short
Summary:
Total revenue to meet the church’s basic operating expenses and mortgage commitment was
$204K. Total operating expenses and mortgage commitment was $273.6K, resulting in a
six-month cash deficit of $69.6K.
Conclusion:
We are just managing to meet our operating expenses and will continue to. Our problem is the
mortgage. I have looked at the past twenty years of minutes and financials and the problems were
the same then as they are today. Read them and you find the same discussion. Nothing has
changed. Over the past twenty years we have paid over $1.9 million in interest alone. That’s
million with a capital M. Think how we could have used the money to rebuild the church, put in
place improvements, school rooms, and transform the church into a glorious gem that it should be
and as God intended. This will my final monthly financial report. I hate to repeat myself and the
following months will only be the same result, besides I am running out of red ink.
The Treasure’s Recommendation:
Everything we do is moot unless we payoff our mortgage. Therefore, I propose a “Burn the
Mortgage Campaign”. Contributions shall be made to payoff the mortgage without
sacrificing stewardship donations. We should be a community united to endeavor in this
campaign. I propose to erect a huge bronze kiosk prominently displayed on church grounds with
the names of the donors. The highest doner will be center at top in prominent letters, followed by
the rest of the doners in order of the amount of contribution (no dollar amount will be displayed,
this is important, the same for the iconography). Our mortgage is coming due next year at the then
prevailing rate. I don’t want the church to continue another 15 years of mortgage payments. I
pledge I will not sign the renewal. I will ask father to kick off the campaign immediatel
Jane. Which St Barbara’s church is it? The one in Tom’s river N.J.? The budget is not saying anything about salaries for priest, chanter and secretary.
Bob, this budget is for St. Barbara In Durham NC. The budget presented does not look clear to me.
Bob, I went in the Donate section of St Barbara in Durham NC. It states you can donate in stock and crypto? Is this legal?
I also went online to an Antiochian Church and the donate to PayPal states the name of the priest to donate for the church? Why would the priest’s name be the recipient of the donation?
Helleniscope reports have woke me up.
Bravo to Met. Gerasimo of San Francisco & former Archbishop Demetrios for seeing thru the flaky, fairy reprobate
Apostolos!🤮
Νέφτι του βάλανε; is a Greek saying.
I guess the reason Apostolos cannot stay in one place for long time, is because he cannot hide his “habits” and his shallowness…
The ladies of Philoptochos should make for him some warm clothes, the Canadian winter is hard…