EDITOR’S NOTE: Teddy Vagias, the man behind this letter to the Metropolitan of NJ is, by all accounts, an ordinary Greek Orthodox parishioner in that metropolis, with no agenda other than wanting to exercise his constitutional right to worship in his parish, even during a pandemic.
He felt strongly enough to hire capable lawyers to point out his rights to the Metropolitan. Also expressed is the notion that the church, at least at the archdiocesan and metropolis level, should have made these same arguments to the authorities themselves, as did the Catholic, Jewish, and Evangelical traditions in some of the many legal filings that have taken place across the country.
Helleniscope encourages you to read this document, as it certainly informs aspects of what our national Greek Orthodox church positions should be , if we are truly an American Church, not directed by foreign interests with regard to our own American rights and laws as a church.
This brings into question, again, the quality and motives of the worldwide and national church leadership. Just what were their goals and priorities during this pandemic? Where was their advocacy for what was right and just? And with all their threats of lawsuits, why didn’t they sue on behalf of us or look for an immediate accommodation from the authorities as an “essential business”, as others did?
This is a developing issue that all should follow carefully.
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CLICK BELOW TO READ THE COMPLETE LETTER TO METROPOLITAN EVANGELOS IN PDF
Archbisop = Sergianist. Plain and simple.