ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
OUR MAIN PHOTO: Elaine Allen delivers the layered bundle of coverups GOA calls a “budget” while Elpidophoros pretends to be a Christian – forget about Orthodox – leader…
By Helleniscope’s Editorial Team
Even before the CL Congress had fully begun, AB Elpidophoros had once again—his second such incident in a matter of weeks—displayed the same appalling conduct he had previously directed toward Fr. Chrysostom Gilbert.
On the opening day of the Congress, during a meeting of the Eparchial Synod/Archdiocesan Council, he publicly and angrily rebuked Bishop Antonios of Phasiane, accusing him of failing in his oversight of St. Michael’s Home for the Aged on Long Island. In front of the assembled metropolitans and bishops, he reportedly declared, “If you cannot do the job, you should resign.” Bishop Antonios subsequently resigned.
Such behavior reflects the conduct of an authoritarian ruler, such as “Sultan” Erdogan of Turkey, not that of a Christian shepherd. Public humiliation and intimidation may be the methods of political strongmen, but they have no place in Christian leadership. A bishop—or any Christian leader—should address serious concerns privately, with pastoral sensitivity and respect for the dignity of the individual, not through public rebuke before peers.
In both of these incidents, the pattern is deeply troubling. It represents a style of leadership that is harsh, authoritarian, barbaric, and inconsistent with the humility, charity, and pastoral care that the Christian ministry is called to embody.
This disconnect between rhetoric and governance was perhaps the defining feature of the Congress.
Rigging the debate on the Budget during the Plenary session
It has been common practice for decades to leave the budget discussion to the last few hours of the Clergy-Laity Congress. Along with the closed meetings held the year before, this practice leaves absolutely no time or energy for discussion. In addition, the Archons play a rigging game by letting a couple of delegates “let some steam” and then attacking them in a truly undemocratic manner.
Please follow the video above. A somewhat heated exchange, starting at about 2:20 and continuing until about the end, can only be described as a show of excessive arrogance, rudeness, and “bullying” by the National Finance Committee against anyone who “dares” to stand up and propose an amendment to the budget as presented. The basic messages (some explicitly, some implicitly) are the same as those that have been heard in years past:
- It’s too late, and this is “not the place” to propose amendments… You should have proposed that to the Metropolis committee (which they probably would have overridden at the national level anyway, given the way things are structured).
- Even if you propose a change in the way things are “charged,” we will tell you that you, your parish, and your Metropolis will still have to come up with the money to fund those line items, because we refuse to eliminate them. (Seriously, they spent a while going back and forth stating these opinions).
- You cannot speak other than to say “you are in favor of or not in favor of the amendment.
- We know this is a good budget... we spent a year on it... (you simply don’t understand how good it is).
- We will cut you off immediately and rudely if you don’t speak as you are expected to (see #2 above).
- Our reliable “friends and allies” in the crowd will stand up and speak AGAINST any amendments.. (many of them happen to be sporting an “ARCHON” badge, which puts them into an “elite financial class”, and they also likely have much more expendable income than the parishioners they are supposedly “representing” and simultaneously “committing to pay more” each year with their vote).
- We will always have enough reliable “friends and allies” in attendance at these Clergy Laity Conferences to win any vote in our favor…(at least that’s what it really seems like with all the “Archon patches” on full display).
- This is NOT a debate… (those arrogant words were actually uttered).
- Nobody likes to know how the sausage is made, but everyone likes the pizza (that was also uttered, believe it or not, as an argument to “shut up and accept this great budget that has been prepared for you).
- Show me your credit card statement, and I’ll know what you really care about… (that was also uttered during this exchange).
So what happened in conclusion?
Most people don’t like conflict. Most people know when they are outnumbered. And most people will go silent when they feel intimidated, bullied, disrespected, or overwhelmed.
So what happened after the second wave of speakers on the proposed amendment all opposed it?
They proceeded to vote—not by secret ballot, but openly, with “yeas” and “nays.” There were almost no audible “yes” votes. The ordinary people clammed up. The browbeating tactics had worked.
The “nays” were clearly audible (though not unanimous), and the amendment was declared defeated without any apparent effort to determine whether the opposition actually exceeded 50 percent.
That’s “democracy” and “inclusion” as defined by the Clergy-Laity Congress.
This is exactly what Helleniscope has been writing about. As delegates are rushing to catch flights home, they are asked to vote on a multi-million-dollar budget—not only because they’re told “this is not the time for debate,” but because, by that point, there is effectively no time for debate.
Conclusion: Keep smiling, keep dropping those dollars into the collection tray, and we’ll see you at the next Clergy-Laity Congress for another serving of the same pizza.
And remember: if they truly wanted your opinion on the budget, they would have given you the information needed to form one.
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Transparency Without Transparency: A Critique of Archbishop Elpidophoros’ Keynote and the 2026 Clergy-Laity Congress
Archbishop Elpidophoros’ keynote address (link here) centered on the inspiring theme “Rise & Build.” Delegates were called to rebuild the Church through “responsibility, accountability, transparency, and great effectiveness.” Those are worthy principles. Yet the proceedings of the 48th Clergy-Laity Congress raised an obvious question:
If transparency and accountability are essential to rebuilding the Church, why were delegates not given the financial transparency necessary to exercise meaningful accountability?
This disconnect between rhetoric and governance seemed to characterize much of the Congress.
The keynote highlighted strategic initiatives—parish renewal, catechist certification, stewardship, digital ministries, and planning—but offered little explanation of the National Church Operations budget, where millions of dollars are allocated without sufficient detail for delegates to evaluate how those funds are spent. Without meaningful financial disclosure, delegates are asked to approve budgets they cannot fully examine.
That is not accountability; it is trust without verification.
The same pattern appeared elsewhere. While celebrating the growth of Hellenic College Holy Cross, the keynote did not address the recent resignation of its president. Likewise, the proposed national catechist certification program may have merit, but clergy and laity should first be permitted to review its theological content before it becomes the standard for Orthodox instruction.
The keynote also emphasized surveys, metrics, and strategic planning. These are useful administrative tools, but the Church is more than an organization to be managed. It is the Body of Christ. Renewal ultimately depends not only on programs and measurements but also on faithful leadership, openness, and trust.
That trust was further strained during debate over the National Church Operations budget. Delegates who sought greater financial detail encountered resistance, while questions remained about why committees deliberate for months behind closed doors, only for delegates to receive minutes to discuss and vote on complex proposals before the Congress adjourns.
Financial transparency is not an inconvenience; it is a ministry. Every dollar entrusted to the Archdiocese represents the sacrifice of faithful Orthodox Christians. They deserve a budget detailed enough to understand how those resources advance the Church’s mission.
The Archbishop called the Church to “Rise & Build.” Many faithful are eager to do exactly that. But vision alone is not enough. Trust requires transparency; transparency requires disclosure; and accountability begins by providing delegates with the information they need before asking them to approve the spending of millions of dollars.
The question facing the Archdiocese is not whether it has a compelling vision, but whether its governance will embody the accountability and transparency its leadership so eloquently proclaims.
July 2, 2026, www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
Excellent article. So that’s that. Round and around we go like a gerbil on a wheel.
Thank you Helleniscope for your hard work in exposing the hypocrisy of these poor example of clergymen. Elpiodoktonos keeps touting transparency but nothing is opened, other than telling you this amount goes to this office. No break down of salaries to each individual.
And of course, the recommendations that the committee of Concerned Orthodox had published were ignored.
They are proudly telling us that every year since 2018, there has been a surplus. A non-profit entity should not have money left over at the end of the year. That’s why its called nonprofit. Churches get away with breaking rules and they take advantage of it.
Any Clergy-Laity is a waste of time and money and demeans and embarrasses all attendees. I’d rather attend a North Korean Kim Jong-Un event. Can you hear the drain swirling as the GOA is flushed away?
Today’s headline at the Orthodox Observer is triumphantly stating that the 2027-28 budget was passed. As if there were any doubts, questions, substantive discussions, opportunity to probe into each line item and the ability to not become a pariah, if you spoke out.
Nick as well as myself, plus others that stood up against the hypocrisy, lies, thievery, bullying, threats and intimidations by these Godless people, who pose as the church, are well aware how they operate, as Helleniscope exposed them. They keep budget approval until the last minute, plant plenty of partisans to heckle and belittle anyone who dares to question their devious ways.
Elpidoktonos keeps telling us that transparency is total, which renders any doubter of his words as a heretic, while they are rubbing their hands in glee at the success of their trickery and the unlimited torrent of money coming their way.
Let’s at least be real. Was there any doubt that the budget wasn’t going to be approved? Who was stupid–yes, stupid– enough to doubt the outcome? Anyone naive enough, let me know. I’ll sell you a bridge in Brooklyn. And I will be more honest than they are. Why would I be more honest? Because they’re selling you the fantasy, that the only way to heaven is through them. I know one thing for sure. In the next life, I dont want to be anywhere near them. Because where they will be it will be very hot, with cauldrons boiling and teeth grinding as we are told in the apocalypse.
Elpidophoros is the ultimate PHANARIOT: He tells you at your face exactly what you want to hear and he does what he wants when you turn your back.
The demeanor of AB Elpidophoros is contagious! So contagious, that it has spilled over into our parish in Astoria!
He appointed Father Gregory Stamkopoulos as the Superintendent of the St. Demetrios School and he has done absolutely nothing to help our school grow. All he has done is harass and discriminate against the staff, and the harassment and discrimination was not limited to the former principal Dr. John Alfieri. Father Gregory had made the same prejudicial statements against several female administrators and directors within the school.
Bishop Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos was also appointed by AB Elpidophoros to the St. Demetrios Community and made prejudicial statements on public radio against the former principal Dr. John Alfieri.
Both these appointments not only caused financial damages of $200,000 to the community because Dr. Alfieri filed a lawsuit based on these claims, but they have also triggered a severe decline in enrollment. Since the appointment of Fr. Gregory in 2023 the school enrollment has declined by 35%.
Elaine Allen was also appointed by AB Elphidophros as a parish council member to “help” our community. What is her role? Her role is to control the parish council president Mr. Papaioannou and he cannot speak against her or the Archdiocese in public or privately because he will suffer similar consequences as prior parish presidents who were removed. This is a form of abuse which is consistent with the behavior of AB Elpidorphoros. He is abusive toward the people who report to him, he humiliates, belittles and degrades them and this behavior has spilled over into the parish council of Astoria. The parish council of St Demetrios can speak but they have no voice. They are subjected to voter manipulation where Elaine Allen has outright said to them “the Archbishop wants this voted on tonight!”, referring to the hiring of the new “Community Manager” Gabriella Labouriau. Adding another expense of $120,000 to the community that is already over their head in debt. In addition Bishop Athenagoras was banging his hands on the table during the meeting and threatening that he was going to leave the community and that the Archdiocese will let the community go into bankruptcy. Is this what you call fatherly love? Holding a parish council hostage, and controlling them because the community is under severe financial distress? Let me remind people that AB Elpidophoros and the Finance Committee under the direction of Elaine Allen and Father Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos approved the construction of the building and provided the approval for the community to go forward for attorney general approval for a $4.2 million construction loan. They knowingly approved this action while also knowing that there was almost no fundraising done for this project. There was only $250,000 raised in donations and almost $3 million taken out of the community and school accounts. So yes, the Archdiocese is just as responsible for the down fall of St. Demetrios. They could have prevented the community from moving forward with the construction of this building and did not! They also had a responsibility to protect the community and did not!!
We all know the exception was made because of Bishop Nektarios Papazafiropoulos!
Congratulations to AB Elpidophoros for assigning to our community more liabilities! You can come to the commencement ceremony after three years, and blow all the smoke you want but we all know who you are and we don’t believe that you believe anything that you are even saying! It’s that obvious!
Please tell the appointees (Stamkopoulos, Athenagoras, Villis and Allen) to stop harassing and abusing our parish council members and our school staff. In America this behavior is illegal!
If you need more information please ask leadership 100 for a grant to invest into harassment and discrimination seminars.
People, do something about it!. STOP paying stewardship. Give the money to charity. If you need a church, go to OCA, or even a Protestant church. You will find God there, without the humiliations, bullying and thieving these sinners do.
Bob,
I agree to stop paying these traitors of our faith, but going to a Protestant church is too far!
Don’t you see that the converts that are coming to our churches are mainly Protestants?
We criticize Elpidophoros for his relations with Protestant churches with women priests and LGBTQ acceptance and you think we should go there? It doesn’t make any sense…
My opinion is that we should stay in the churches that our ancestors built and not surrender them to masons and heretics. We should just stop paying and be more loud critics of their wrong doings. Let’s see if they can adjust with less money…
By leaving the church you give them a great relief and satisfaction. Is that what you want to do?
NR: Nothing will change because people are lazy. They really don’t care. If they cared, they would have gathered together and taken a stand. It’s easier to do nothing. Definitely hit the hierarchs through their pocket. Do not give any money at all. People built the churches in honor of Our Lord. Not the hierarchs.
My suggestion is to stop paying stewardship. I’m not telling anyone what church they should go to. America has many choices for the faithful.. Don’t let them think that we need them, because they take advantage of it. They’ll bully you until you cry uncle and kiss their hand. I’ve seen it personally. The bishop Nektarios Papazafiropoulos threatened me with ecclesiastical punishment, because I tell the truth. I told him he can go right ahead and do that, as if I cared. Their resident parasite of a lawyer threatened me with a lawsuit, until my lawyer told him that he will be slapped with the anti-slapp law, which protects my right to free speech. These people are a law onto themselves. , starting from Elpidoktonos, who was caught berating the head of the St Michael’s old people’s home, as if he was a drunken sailor, not a hierarch.
Hold signs outside of wherever they are for the say, calling them anaxios. I’ve done that many times. That really gets to them.
By withholding payment, and calling them anaxios, they might learn something and start acting like clergyymen.
What needs to be addressed is who owns the church buildings and the land it sits on. A new church is in the process of being built in Raleigh. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. $16 million. Who owns the church and the land? The hierarchs or the members who donated their money over many years. The members of the church have collected half the money so far.
Jane,
Why do you think they lobbied to pass that abominable NY State law that Helleniscope wrote about a while back, which was obviously written to “try” to establish supreme dominion over parish assets for any “NY-based entity” (GOARCH)?
From the moment that they are selling assets that previous generations donated without reinvesting the money in the parish, it is clear who “intends to control” the donations.
What needs to happen is for a Federal Court in NC (or any other state) to decide that the NY State law violates the “Commerce Clause” of the constitution, rendering it invalid (but that decision would only be valid for the NC District Courts…the Supreme Court would likely have to make it official)…Furthermore, the Courts would need to establish a “separation” between “spiritual” and “tangible”, much like happens in Divorce Court, where it is rare for assets to be retained by a spouse…otherwise, “pre-nuptual” contracts in the form of “pre-donation agreements” with the Archdiocese” may be a possibility.
We’ll see what happens
Bob, I feel your pain.
The answer is easy: join another jurisdiction, any one.
When diagnosed with cancer there is not really an option to abandon your body and go to another one.
Fortunately in north America, all Orthodox bishops are technically in violation of an Apostolic Canon that basically states you can’t have multiple bishops claiming jurisdiction over New York, or Chicago, or anywhere else. We say fortunately, because it’s easy to remain in Orthodoxy and simultaneously flee a “jurisdiction of cancerous corruption”….
Marko, it may be uncanonical (who am I fooling, it is) but let’s be honest, the last thing America needs right now is an administratively united American Orthodox Church as long as the rot that infests the GOA is extricated.
I’d like to think that the bishops will do it but that won’t happen anytime soon. It’s up to the laity.
Yes, as long as you stay with one of the canonical churches and stay away from the old calendar churches. There are many so called” true Orthodox churches ” in this country. I am aware of 3 but there might be more.
JK,
Constantinople has already publicly expressed desire to create an even “newer [Uniate] Calendar” in conjunction with the Vatican, in order to celebrate Pascha at the same time each year…how “true” will that be?
And if you recall how Constantinople “legitimized” those Old Calendar disasters from St. Irene in Astoria a few years ago, it becomes quite clear that any of those “Old Calendar factions” can be legitimized in an instant based on this model if they decide to align with one of the 14 (yes 14 and not 15) legacy Autocephalous Churches…
Marko, being a member of the OCA, I must take umbrage. The OCA is autocephalous, whether one agrees with its standing or not.
No, we’re not perfect. Nobody is. But what we’re seeing in the GOA is nothing short of scandalous.
George,
Philaret of Kiev was one of those who signed that “tomos” of Autocephaly though, and I wouldn’t be too keen on advertising that type of “autocephaly” at all… Furthermore, all other historical “tomoi” had language in there saying that it must be accepted by a future Pan_Orthodox synod to become final and legitimate…and look at Philaret and his legacy now…where is that “standing” in history?
Bottom line, we are on a collision course with a Uniate Schism of great magnitude, and we’ll have to see what remains after the dust settles….
And by the way, the “15th” refers the travesty that they have done with Epiphanios….OCA was NEVER part of the 14 Autocephalous churches that were officially in existence in 2017…feel free to read up on that…your assumption that I was referring to OCA is incorrect.