ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
PHOTO: An artistic rendition of Apostolos (Koufalakis).
By Nick Stamatakis
Unanswered allegations, ecclesiastical patronage, and a hierarchy too often seen as protecting its own have turned this enthronement into a test of Orthodox accountability. The ancient cry of “Anaxios” remains the faithful’s refusal to surrender conscience to secrecy, favoritism, and predetermined decisions. A hierarchy may appoint a bishop, but it cannot manufacture worthiness—or the faithful’s consent.
“Axios!”—“Worthy!”—is not ecclesiastical applause. It is the surviving voice of an ancient Church in which the faithful were not merely spectators while bishops were imposed upon them. The Apostolic Constitutions describe a bishop as one chosen with the people’s participation, whose worthiness was publicly examined and received, while Orthodox ordination still preserves that ecclesial assent in the cry Axios.
The corresponding “Anaxios”—“Unworthy” is therefore not theatrical insolence, but the refusal of the faithful to counterfeit consent when conscience forbids it. Its canonical consequences have varied across the centuries, but its meaning remains unmistakable: the people of God are not furniture, and Axios is supposed to mean something.
On September 19, Apostolos Koufalakis is scheduled to be enthroned as Archbishop of Canada at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Toronto. Before anyone expects an automatic cry of Axios, however, the faithful have every right to examine the public record surrounding the man being placed over them.
That record includes serious, longstanding controversies:
- The National Herald reported in 2014 (link here) that Archbishop Demetrios had resisted Apostolos’s elevation because of his connections to figures in the St. Irene Chrysovalantou scandal, while also reporting that Metropolitan Nikitas said Apostolos himself had not been found at fault.
- In 2015, The National Herald reported (link here) that Metropolitan Gerasimos sought his removal as chancellor amid complaints about performance and alleged insubordination.
- That report also stated (link here) that Patriarch Bartholomew had pressured Archbishop Demetrios to elevate Apostolos despite earlier resistance.
- Helleniscope has published allegations link here concerning serious ethical and sexual misconduct during Apostolos’s Astoria years; these remain allegations, not adjudicated findings. But talk to anyone in the Astoria community, and they will give the names of all involved in Apostolos’s financial and sexual scandals. Yes, they will give you names!!
- Helleniscope has also alleged (link here) financial improprieties involving Apostolos in the United States and Greece.
- A later National Herald report republished by OCL (link here) raised further questions about the machinery surrounding his advancement and whether episcopal support for his promotion had been overstated.
None of this means accusation equals guilt. Christianity allows not merely forgiveness but radical transformation; sinners repent, lives change, and grace restores. But please show me ONE INSTANCE where Apostolos showed repentance!! JUST ONE!! Repentance is not silence, forgiveness is not institutional amnesia, and promotion is not absolution. Not only has he shown no public sign of repentance, but he has continued to conduct himself with the posture of moral superiority—as though the unanswered accusations surrounding him were beneath acknowledgment. That is not humility, not accountability, and certainly not the conduct the faithful should be expected to acclaim as worthy of an Orthodox hierarch.
Where is the public reckoning? Where is the clear answer to accusations that have followed him for years—or, where wrongdoing occurred, the repentance, restitution, and change? “In the public record discussed above, it is conspicuously absent.
And that makes this larger than Apostolos. It exposes a leadership culture that demands accountability from below while insulating power above: priests and laypeople can be disciplined, transferred, or marginalized, while favored hierarchs pass through controversy protected by secrecy, connections, and institutional loyalty.
Critics call this Phanariot culture the “Brotherhood” – an ecclesiastical circle in which insiders appear to advance and protect insiders while the faithful are handed decisions already made and expected to bless them afterward. Whether one accepts that label or not, the perception itself is devastating.
Corruption does not require envelopes of cash – although it is clear that cash and business on the Phanar are synonymous. It can be favoritism turned into governance, serious questions buried by time, procedures used to manufacture consensus, and promotion substituted for accountability. It becomes especially corrosive when the very men benefiting from such a system preach humility, obedience, and tradition to everyone beneath them.
That is how the cry “Axios” is hollowed out. What should express the Church’s reception becomes a stage direction: stand, bow, sing—and pronounce him “worthy.”
That is not meaningful consent. It is ceremonial compliance.
So ANAXIOS does not deny redemption. It demands that repentance, truth, and accountability actually mean something.
Worthiness cannot be manufactured from above.
If Axios merely means the Synod has already decided, the faithful are not being asked for assent. They are being handed a script.
Orthodox tradition gave them a voice for a reason.
And in the case of Apostolos, this voice clearly says:
ANAXIOS.
September 18, 2026, www.helleniscope.com, n.stamatakis@aol.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
In a few words, Apostolos is an empty vessel that elevated himself through the Phanar sissies, using his good looks and AHEPA membership!
The Phanar is using promotions to wash sins… they did it with Emnanuel of France (aka “Emmanuella”) and his assistant in the Metropolis of Paris Maximos, both promoted after the “Bulgarian Escorts” scandal. Maximos was so “competent” that when (around 3016-17) he was hired as Emnanuel’s assistant in Paris he spoke not one word of French!! Now he is a Bishop somewhere in England…. Common denominator: promotion washes past sins… Yes my friends, these sickos pretend to be Orthodox hierarchs…
Every time I see the outfits worn by today’s bishops, I wonder what St Chrysostom or St Basil would say. I don’t think either of them would caught dead in this, what has become standard, attire. Specifically, Chrysostom condemned the practice of clergy wearing “fancy attire” and stated the money should be given to the poor. Basil had a similar sentiment.
Liturgical vestments should be “more glorious” than everyday attire, especially in Divine Liturgy where the vestments remind us of the 2nd coming of Christ in “full glory”. There are some guidelines of course, and at the risk of falling into a Protestant trap, it is always good to keep a balance in mind…
https://www.oodegr.com/oode/orthod/praktikes/amfia_1.htm
Nevertheless, and absolutely, there are limits, and St. John Chrysostom was very correct in alluding to these limits that appear to be violated (as well as the excesses that are observed) today. And it’s one thing for a Church to possess multiple vestments on-site for visiting clergy to use…However, there are clergy (even some bishops) out whose PERSONAL wardrobe is rumored to have more “expensive” liturgical vestments than some of the well-known vestment stores in Greece have in stock on a given day…And you might ask “why, and how” we arrive at this situation?
The problem likely begins with an otherwise “well-intended” tradition, which on the surface appears perfectly reasonable and legitimate…a newly ordained deacon is often gifted his first set of liturgical vestments…see the clear statement of this tradition on the website below
https://churchembroidery.net/el/category/deacon/
“….Σετ δώρων χειροτονίας
Η χειροτονία ενός διακόνου συχνά γιορτάζεται με ένα δώρο από την ενορία — συνήθως ένα στιχάριο, οράριο και επιμανίκια μαζί, στο χρώμα που χρησιμοποιεί περισσότερο η ενορία. Παραγγείλετε 8–10 εβδομάδες πριν από τη χειροτονία. Μπορούμε να συμπεριλάβουμε το μονόγραμμα του διακόνου ή την ημερομηνία χειροτονίας στο οράριο ως διακριτικό προσωπικό σημάδι….Σετ δώρων χειροτονίας…”
And as a further example of this widespread practice, without realizing how this could be perceived by those “weak in faith” (because it’s common practice in Greece), look at the closing statement of this speech at an ordination in Greece from 2005, found within a few seconds of a google search:
https://www.imga.gr/%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%86%CF%8E%CE%BD%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%80-%CE%BB%CE%B5%CE%AC%CE%BD%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%85-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B7-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AC/
“….Αγαπητέ π. Νικόλαε, δέξου ως ελάχιστον δείγμα αγάπης αυτό το αγιογραφημένο επιγονάτιο δια να ενθυμείσε την ημέρα αυτή αλλά και την αγάπη της ενορίας μας όπου θα σε συνοδεύει μαζί με τις ευχές μας…”
And so far, so good…a small gift isn’t such a big deal, and really shouldn’t be…or is it?
The problem arises when the individual being ordained is susceptible to corruption. In other words, if someone who should be declared ANAXIOS because of his “love of luxury” is ordained….that’s how the path to scandalization of the faithful by “luxurious vestments” begins….
There are a few metropolitans in Greece who were asked about their lavish wardrobes, and responded by saying “they were gifted to me” by various individuals, etc…
No reason to get into gruesome details, but there are some very troubling eye-witness accounts that I am aware of, involving at least one auxillary bishop in Greece observed making multiple visits to a well-known shop and spending money he probably couldn’t justify from his declared income to “gift” more than one [voting] member of the Synod with expensive liturgical vestments, in the weeks ahead of an upcoming vote on a Metropolis vacancy… he was so arrogant that he openly spoke about this in front of lay people who now “knew the truth” about his self-confessed motive….The “ecclesiastical streets” in Greece are full of rumors of similar “behavior”.
This kind of behavior casts a much darker shadow on recent news reports from the recent scandal of the “Byzantine artifact seller” of Mega Spilaio near Kalavryta, all the way to the “property scandal” involving Archimandrite Melchisedek in Crete, or on older reports of Metropolitan Panteleimon of Attica who was convicted of embezzling / extorting money from the Monastery of St. Ephraim in Nea Makri (among other accusations), and several others… Conspiracy Theorists might ask “is there perhaps a ‘criminal path to elevation into higher ranks’ which includes the “gifting of expensive vestments”, an escalated “gifting process” that has been long-overlooked by the authorities, because perhaps it conveniently allows for ‘government leverage’ against the Synod in “negotiations” of future matters, including the recent passive stance the Synod took with the gay marriage laws that were passed in Greece”?
https://www.helleniscope.com/2026/06/18/was-the-metropolitan-salary-raise-in-greece-a-gratuity-for-silence-on-gay-marriage/
https://www.romfea.gr/epikairotita-xronika/77220-o-neas-smyrnis-symeon-gia-tin-ayksisi-ton-apodoxon-ton-mitropoliton
So…at the end of the day…is the problem the vestments themselves, or the non-spiritual “ANAXIOS clergyman” (whose election the laity WERE NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN) who is personally responsible for the excesses that scandalize the faithful? I think we all know the answer to this question…
Evaluation of current church practice from a patristic perspective is not Protestant. I stand by my conviction that Chrysostom and Basil would have not been caught dead in the vestments today’s bishops wear and would have condemned those who adorned themselves in such.
The church has always had unworthy clergy. Read what Chrysostom said about the clergy of his time. Additionally, the church has many unworthy laymen.
What were the lyrics of that oldie laiko?
Oi despotades katantisane beneath contempt.
What were the lyrics of that oldie laiko?
“Ti omorphos pou eisai otan kleveis……
…. akoma ligo klepse kai sou paei.”
Oi despotades katantisane beneath contempt.
Here’s an oldie…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuwXvBQWEHE&list=RDJuwXvBQWEHE&start_radio=1
Anaxios, indeed! He has too many ethical lapses which are unbecoming a church leader.
Apostolos’ ethics reflect what is now typical for this church. Where is the Christian ethos, the paternal piety?
Apostolos was also willing to usurp a diocese whose bishop was wrongfully removed by a power-hungry “brother hierarch,” without due process and therefore without cause.
The fratricide in our church and the Fanariote conniving is repulsive. There is nothing Christian about it. It scandalizes the faithful and pushes them astray.
Bartholomew strikes again! Pray for our church in Canada.
Secrecy, favoritism and ecclesiastical politics appear to take precedence over truth and accountability. The Christian ethos and paternal piety seem to have been displaced by ambition and institutional self-protection. And most likely worse. The Darkness is spreading.
After 1453 the fall of Constantinople, Byzantium collapsed + Orthodox Hierarchy adopted regalia of the Emperors to symbolize the majesty of God’s kingdom…
that said, it depends who’s wearing those robes??
Super gay, huge queen, κακιά αδελφή!
Definitely what we call one of “the mean gays.”
He also has nothing to offer. He has no record of anything productive. Everywhere he went he was a parasitic leach who sucked up money and offered nothing in return other than a nasty presence. He’s basically Rosie O’Donnell in a rasso. Fortunately for him and the people he was serving that he had competent priests sucking up to him in NJ.
Let’s see whether or not the Canadians eat him alive. He’s Greeky Greek which they will like, but arrogant and rude and thinks that he is their ruler.
I don’t think they will tolerate the formerly fat βασίλισσά for long, especially once the queer antics begin between him and the gay Greek boys in Canada.
Better to meet in small groups to pray and ditch the wicked cult crime gang pretending to be lovers of God. Dry them up by stop funding them.
Georgios it seems like you know him well. Thanks for speaking your mind. He’s a loser and a wolf in sheep’s clothing. An arrogant con man(girl) in drag. Let’s see how long before the Canadian beasts swallow him up and spit him out. He’s been getting away with his tactics far too long. Greece, Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, Patmos Rhodes etc. ANAXIOS
Apostolos cannot stay in one place for long time. He leaves before his shallowness and his ethical laps are revealed…
I suspect he also won’t stay for long in Canada, but not because people will expell him, let’s not forget that AHEPA is supporting him!
I think that when Elpidophoros succeeds Bartholomew -looks like the time is near- Apostolos will move in as Archbishop of America!
It looks like that also the Greek government is supporting him, since 3 members of the government traveled to Toronto to be in his enthronement!
ΠΓ, you seem like a smart person, and that you seem to know the new Canadian clown well, as well. However, the reason the 3 member delegation from the Greek Government was in attendance is simple. Diamataris used his “influence “ with Mitsotakis, only to push Elpidoktonos’ buttons. Apostolia has promised the two ny clowns, Diamataris and Kalmoukos that he will arrange the Canadian market for their New York based “paper”. Isn’t that what Elpi did? and then as in everything else he has said and promised, reneged and the rest is history. The issue however is, Diamataris and Kalmoukos have lost their fight. Elpidoktonos is still here and their paper is nothing but a rag. Apostolia will milk the Canadian market for himself and his family and laugh all the way to the bank.
One more point of interest
Has anyone wondered why the other clown from England was appointed as Bartholomeos’s representative? The only way Nikita’s and black Bart can be separated is with a crowbar. Sources from the east claim that Nikita’s presence in Canada was to secure more than 20 million Canadian dollars. Nikitas has drained and laundered the accounts of his archdiocese to the black hole in Turkey and to black Bart. Elpidoktonos is fulfilling his pledge to Bart IN the U. S., and now Canada has joined Game of Thrones. It’s funny, both Nikita and Apostolia have the same vision and goal. The sooner they overthrow Elpi, the sooner they’ll be digging their fingers in the American cash cow known as the GOAA. They’re all filth. AUTOCEPHALY NOW
The reason that Nikitas was representing Bartholomew, maybe Bartholomew’s declining health… Maybe that’s why they commemorate him every Sunday… Also, maybe Nikita will be the next archbishop of Canada! Apostolos won’t stay for long in the cold and the coach in Phanar is rotating his disastrous team…
One flake will be replaced by another as we recently witnessed. But Nikita’s claim to fame is his gay lifestyle which he so proudly flirts with. Ask anyone in Florida, Chicago, and of course HONK KONG. HE REALLY LEFT HIS MARK THERE. A brief investigation into Honk Kong will give any journalist a permanent er…..on. Go for it Nick
Nikita’s wants to relocate to America. Canada is not his cup of tea. Especially if you follow the exchange rate between U$ and Canadian $.
Nikita’s past is well known – and Helleniscope has already reported on it… However, I am undecided whether his return to America would be beneficial… He knows the Greek-American community better than anyone else; he knows even DC well… He has the right to repent… His sincere public repentance/remorse will go a long way – if he truly wants to come back. However, this presupposes that Elpidoktonos will become Patriarch… My main thought on this whole situation is that we need to unite and demand to be either autocephalous or go under the Church of Greece.
Nicholas, deviant people do not repent. Why? Because in their own mind, their lifestyle is heavenly and the normal(heterosexual) is the distortion of Gods will. So my friend, Nikita’s will never repent. According to the gospel of Bartholomeos and Elpidoktonos, Nikitas is normal. Yes, he know the Greek American community. Of course, EVERYONE ON CHRISTOPHER STREET IN LOWER MANHATTAN, KNOWS HIM( her) as well.
Second, unless we move and evict Elpi from 79 street, he’s NOT GOING ANYWHERE. BUT I MUST ADMIT, Elpi is the most evil deviant “person” I know. Yet, he’s the lesser of two evils. So I’ll take Satan over the two of them. OUCH $$$🇹🇷
By the way, when will the videos become available?