EDITOR’S NOTE: Thousands attended Papa-Lefteris Tatsis’ last service in Panagia Kamariani of Melbourne, Australia… “Don’t forget that I was born in the church, and I arrived in Australia as a young man and have served and still serving after 55 years under the Archdiocese of Australia,” reads an excerpt of Fr Eleftherios’ resignation letter addressing Archbishop. He called the people who were crying as he finished the service to keep coming to Church… To the faithless and sinful AB Makarios, a member of the shameless gang around Bartholomew that has brought Orthodoxy to ruins, he had very tough words: I will never close my mouth over what is wrong with this Church…
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Fr Eleftherios (Papa Lefteris) resigns from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
Dozens of faithful were cheering him, while announcing his resignation at the end of the Sunday service
Sunday marked Fr Eleftherios’ last service at the Monastery of Panagia Kamariani at Red Hill. Photo: Supplied
Father Eleftherios, commonly known as Papa Lefteris, presided over his last service on Sunday at Panagia Kamariani on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, making known to the congregation of his resignation decision.
Hundreds of faithful from across Melbourne made their way to the Red Hill church prepared to farewell and thank the priest, as rumours of his imminent resignation had been circulating over the past week.
Many attendees did not hide their anger and disappointment with the church over the development, while others reacted in tears.
“The chalice was filled with peoples’ tears,” Charoula Adamantides who was present at the church told Neos Kosmos.
At the end of the service, which was also livestreamed, Fr Eleftherios read in both Greek and English the letter of his resignation addressed to Archbishop Makarios of Australia, in which he accuses the Archbishop of using the canon laws for his benefit.
“I don’t want to take up much of your time but would like to inform you that the canon laws you are charging me of breaking and the punishments you are putting on me are of your standards,” an excerpt of the letter reads.
According to Neos Kosmos sources, the Ecumenical Patriarchate imposed a penalty on Fr Eleftherios for acts deemed incompatible with canon laws.
Addressing the congregation following his announcement, Fr Eleftherios referenced singer Stelios Kazantzidis in a quote inviting them to continue attending church services.
He also referred to a lack of leadership in the church and extended a warning to Archbishop Makarios that he intends to remain vocal.
The Archdiocese is expected to issue an official announcement over the coming days.
A very brave priest! There is hope in such a priest! May he lead us out of the darkness that has fallen upon us.
God bless Papa Lefteris and pray for him, I do not blame him for resigning yet he declares he’ll never stop speaking out with what’s wrong with Greek Church.
Axios!
Why is Archbishop Makarios “faithless”?
Because he has violated the faith in many ways. Look him up in Google or in our search function.
Exactly – AB Makarios who’s violated canons more serious, than Father Eleftherios’s “not asking permission to go vacation”! That’s the excuse Makarios found to fire him