EDITOR’S NOTE (Nick Stamatakis). As the war in Ukraine comes to an end – with the front collapsing and religious rights abuses against Orthodox faithful flagrant by the CORRUPT to the core Zelensky regime – an ongoing turbulence within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has erupted bewteen the rediculous Archons (who slavishly follow deep state policies) and some around Elpidophoros who are trying to save what they can (for their own benefit of course). An excellent article by the Union of Orthodox Journalists.. The ridiculous statement by the Archons (link here) about the Russians “oppressing” the OCU (of “Cacocephalous” Met. Epiphanios) was where it all started… The “Archons of Disaster” under the catastrophic “spiritual leadership” of Karloutsos are making one mistake after another – almost daily: After this outrageous statement, they made Marafatsos an Archon under the RIDICULOUS title “Teacher of the Greek Nation”… As we say in Greek, “even the chickens are laughing at them”…
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Elpidophoros vs. the Archons
Rumors of civil war in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese erupted when influential Archons led by Fr. Alexander Karloutsos issued a bizarre statement accusing a pan-Orthodox delegation of Russian espionage and inverting Ukrainian church persecutions — apparently without Abp. Elpidophoros’s approval. This speaks to a deeper problem within GOARCH: the unchecked power of its donors over the clergy.
Rumor has it there’s a civil war brewing in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. On the one side, we have the Greek Orthodox clergy led by Abp. Elpidophoros of America. On the other side, we have the donor class represented by the Archons of the Ecumenical Throne and their “spiritual advisor” Fr. Alexander Karloutsos.
On Wednesday, the Archons issued a statement on the pan-Orthodox delegation that met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill. They accused the delegation — which included bishops and clergy of every major jurisdiction in America — of being a Russian intelligence operation. The same statement bizarrely accused the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of persecuting the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU)—a reversal of reality that stunned observers.
GOARCH’s official media channels dutifully amplified the Archons’ text far and wide.
The backlash was immediate and ferocious. Multiple members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States threatened to withdraw from the Assembly unless Abp. Elpidophoros issued a personal apology.
Within 24 hours the posts vanished from GOARCH platforms, and His Eminence released a carefully worded clarification. He wrote that “rumors have circulated” regarding GOARCH’s view of the pan-Orthodox delegation. “I do not and would never perceive my brother Hierarchs — or, indeed, their official representatives — as agents of foreign governments,” Abp. Elpidophoros continued.
He then reaffirmed support for the Assembly’s earlier resolution, stating “we pray the Ukrainian Law 3894 is not used to persecute any religious group within Ukraine.” This, of course, is an unmistakable nod to the real persecution suffered by the canonical UOC.
Many remain unsatisfied, demanding that Abp. Elpidophoros offer a full, unequivocal apology. And that’s fair enough.
Yet reliable GOARCH sources insist Abp. Elpidophoros neither saw nor approved the Archons’ statement — signed by National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis — before it went live. When the scale of the disaster became clear, the Archbishop reportedly ordered every trace removed from Archdiocesan channels and delivered Karloutsos a scorching reprimand by telephone.
So, it seems that His Eminence doesn’t want to take responsibility for the statement because he had no hand in it. The GOARCH social media team, in sharing the statement on its channels, naturally assumed the Archons and the Archdiocese were on the same side. And maybe that was true, once upon a time. But it’s not anymore.
Tellingly, the Archons themselves have left their statement standing. They are under no obligation to retract it, either. They answer directly to the Ecumenical Patriarch, not the Archbishop of America.
Herein lies the deeper crisis. GOARCH depends heavily on the generosity of these Archons, who donate millions to the Archdiocese. At the same time, these donors appear to have little respect for Elpidophoros. They’re issuing statements without his approval, attempting to set GOARCH policy independently of the Archbishop.
It’s a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. And when the money men can publicly humiliate their spiritual leader and shrug off the consequences, talk of civil war no longer sounds like hyperbole.
Orthodox Christianity is one religion. It has been divided into sectors by mankind. Tge devil walks the earth. Let us unite.
it seems that like what happened in AHEPA, Masonry is part and parcel of the Archons. Very sad… disturbing… really. Matthew 19:24.
Eleni J,
The fact that they name their Masonic lodge “Saint Andrew” demonstrates that these people don’t have any fear of God. Because actually they don’t believe in God…
Did ever Jesus say that we should create lodges, brotherhoods, fraternities, sororities etc? He never said that. Would Jesus ever approve to give scholarships only to AHEPA children? I don’t think so. All these people that participate in Masonic lodges or supposedly “fraternal organizations” are not real Christians. They pretend to be Christians…
To all the real faithful Orthodox Christians, I advise: Stay away from Churches that are ruled by masonic AHEPA, because you cannot have any control and know where your money actually go…
I am not convinced of Elpi’s stance on this. Remember his statement about abortion? He seemed to be leaning to the right and then to the left, trying to please both those that are Pro-life but also those that are pro-death of the unborn. So maybe he is trying to re-brand himself and get some credibility. How is he going to show up at the meetings with the other bishops here in the US, otherwise? I think it is a political move. Afterall, he does live in the US. Barto on the other hand, is becoming more and more cruel. Instead of the people that are persecuted in the Ukraine, the real orthodox, he sides once again with the persecutors. If communism would come his way, I have no doubt that he would sell all of us out just so he becomes important. I would love to be able to think about him as an old and wise vladica, but I do not trust him at all and although I do not hate him, he is becoming very hard to love.
Elpidoktonos and his Archons, the gift that keeps on giving…..do I sense a mutiny very soon?
I’ll take clueless AB and greedy, evil Archons for 500, Alex!
Well, here we go again! Karloutsos at the helm of opposing an archbishop because…. well, because he’s BETTER than the archbishop! Recall what he did to Archbishop Spyridon… and yet, he is given medals of Freedom and lofty titles like “Grand Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne”, being compared to the Rev. Fr. George Tsetsis. Trust me… Karloutsos is NO Tsetsis…)
One is bewildered as to which side to take. Better both destroy each other.
What a shame.
Go Mother Russia go!!
If Kalmoukos is talking there’s trouble in paradise.
Someone, please call the whackadoodle bus!
In some positive news, it looks like both Patriarch John of Antioch and Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem will not be attending the meeting with Bartholomew and Leo this week
Patriarch Theophilos never accepted the invite and Patriarch John apparently turned it down because many bishops on his synod are not happy with Bartholomew
Patriarch Theodoros is the only other patriarch that will be there
Yet another Bartholomew plan has fallen apart. He has failed yet again to get the “ancient patriarchates” to attend something
I wonder why Cyprus won’t be attending seeing how they’re the most ancient patriarchate in terms of autocephaly
Between this and the civil war within GOARCH the Patriarchate is taking many “L’s”
A small group on commenters on this site will get really wound up over all of this.
Nevertheless, the majority of faithful congregants at Orthodox church services in the US have little knowledge of these disputes and even less interest in them.
Just as the majority of Christian faithfull of America have very little knowledge of the disputes and even less interest that the U.S criminal enterpise heinous crimes against Humanity and World…
You indeed might want to see the US brought down low.
However, even with its faults and mistakes, the US remains a great hope for humanity in general and certainly for our ancestral Greece.
John, in what way will the US be a great hope for humanity and Greece? In my humble opinion, following the West’s example, Greece has a horrible birth/marriage rate, high abortion rate, they have become more and more secular, and their youth have very little hope for the future. They are dying a not so slow death from what I can see, but I hope I am wrong.
They don’t need to worry about Turkey since there won’t be any Greeks in Greece in 2 more generations due to their low birthrate. I believe they need to stop looking to the US/West for the answers because they have none. Something needs to change in Greece in order for me to see hope.
The birth crisis is in so many places in what was once called Christendom. Depopulation started in western Europe, notably in France. Similarly, the trends of militant anti-Christian secularism and attacks on private property began there, subsequently imitated throughout Europe. These bad things did also spread to the US, but in the US, as in Greece, there is a streak of stubborn individualism and respect for freedom that offers hope.
The real story is how effective this Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Fransisco are. Those who made the call of the fall of the Archon and Leadership 100 class after the chaos in the Oval Office during the Patriarch’s delegation were accurate. Those who are enabling him are also guilty. Patronizing Turkish foreign state dinners, raising $250,000 for the Vatican, ignoring the real tragedy in Ukraine and the division with Moscow, only leaves me to reflect on one scripture, “God will not be mocked” (Galatians 6:7)
Karloutsos is another agent of the Deep State and chief Archon his mouthpiece. See they just honored as their Man of the year Pompeo.
The blood on their hands of those who orchestrated the creation of the Ukraine Church will not wash, and caused the subsequent persecution of faithful lOrthodox that remained in Ukraine.
Not surprised that patr Teodoros will be there. His scandalous decision to allow a female deacon is not far off the idiotic decisions of Barto. We know them well. These 2 patriarchs clearly fell into delusion and instead of getting up, they continue to roll in mud and Leo is with them. Those 2 patriarch represent what is wrong in our Church. The Church would be better off without them. I think Elpi is smarter and he is positioning himself in a better light because the war will end. There is no reason for him to be against the ROCOR hierarchs and the other hierarchs that are pro UOC and against schismatics.
“Three Republican lawmakers have sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General requesting an investigation into ROCOR for possible Russian influence.”
https://spzh.eu/en/news/89236-two-more-us-congressmen-claim-that-defending-uoc-is-kremlin-lobbying
What Russian influence could they possibly find?
Well, it doesn’t take much digging around to note that ROCOR, since 2018, has dropped out of the Assembly of Bishops, is no longer in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek Archdiocese of America, the Church of Alexandria, the Church of Cyprus, the Church of Greece, and is also against autocephaly, both for America and Ukraine. That sounds like a smoking gun to me right there. If that’s not influence, then I don’t know what is.
These three Republican members of Congress are morons who do not understand freedom of religion or freedom of conscience. All Orthodox have a moral responsibility to condemn not only the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (the real Church), but US efforts to use Orthodoxy in their anti Russian foreign policy.
Any investigation into ROCOR will fully expose the lack of respect for freedom of religion in the United States. I have written letters to Congressman and Senators condemning the persecution of the Ukrainian Church. I am Greek but make no secret of being a Russophile.
Being called a Russian would be a compliment in my opinion. Perhaps these Republicans should spend their time passing laws protecting America’s children from the LGBT cult which has taken hold of American schools. These politicians must get their hands off the true Church of Christ.
And Greeks need to organize to liberate the Greek Churches from the influence of the State Department.
Joseph, 3 republican lawmakers our of how many? Exactly! They are not a majority. THe rest saw proof on video of the attacks on UOC. To attack ROCOR is to put your foot in your mouth. Those 3 clowns are a confused minority, just like the minority confused patriarch barto who has maybe only one other patriarch siding with him. NOTE: THis is NOT a compliment! Barto is becoming senile and doesn’t care he is harming the Church with his actions. Do not fear, God will judge him rightfully for the catastrophe he created in Ukraine that is expanding here by attacking Rocor. Americans will never accept him as patriarch. He should just go away and step down. He is irrelevant.
https://spzh.eu/en/news/89252-protests-erupt-in-turkey-over-the-popes-visit-to-nicaea
He is not respected in his own country. I hope the meeting won’t take place. I don’t usually agree with the Turks but here, yes. THey do not recognize the “ecumenical” title of the patr Barto. Well, neither does most of the world. Not really. He is equal to all other patriarchs and he is not ecumenical at all. Just first among equals. Ecumenic is a made up title that is actually not that old. St. John of San Francisco pointed out how this title was sneaking in and warned of its consequences. The fact that Barto is meeting with the pope to celebrate the Nicaea event, makes him and ecumenist, not ecumenical. HOW can you meet for an event that has to do with the Creed, when the catholics made up their own creed? That one word changes everything! How dare they change the Creed after Nicea? All recent saints wrote against ecumenism which is a heresy. One can’t be ecumenist and ecumenical all at the same time. So the turks protest against the pope visit. Good. Nicaea has nothing to do with the pope. The existence of the pope is a heresy in itself. The Turks might do us a favor. This time.
https://spzh.eu/en/news/89252-protests-erupt-in-turkey-over-the-popes-visit-to-nicaea
Glory to God it looks like Bartholomew’s bootlicking event in Nicea really seems to be a nothing burger
Patriarchs John and Theophilos backed out and no other Church sent representatives other than Patriarch Theodoros going. I have a feeling if Archbishop Ieronimos attended he would have been rioted in Athens.
It also seems to be largely played down in the Orthodox world. I’ve only seen a couple of news reports on it.
This is a perfect example of how no one will follow Bart to Rome
What I’m VERY interested in is how Athos will respond. Considering Bart had common prayer with Leo and received the creed (without the filioque) at least, I have to imagine that Athos will say something. Same with the monasteries here in the U.S. I have it on good authority that Bart communing or joining Rome is when they will leave. Where is the line drawn I wonder?
Considering how Fr. Tom Soroka from the OCA and others in the various jurisdictions have been calling for the suspension of the Assembly of Bishops, this charade is just one more strike against Bart and GOARCH. I personally would love to see the various Patriarch FINALLY denouncing Bart. This is just another way he is hurting and watering down the Faith and it could potentially cause much confusion and doubt to those who are coming Orthodoxy here in America and elsewhere. Part of me feels like this is indeed the point.
One thing is glaringly clear though: Bartholomew is incredibly isolated
Congressman Joe Wilson is so eager to persecute the Church of God. Claims they are agents of Russian influence. Well, Mr. Wilson, read carefully. We of God’s Church, are not taking sides in this war, because God hates when his people go after each other in hatred and anger. Listen carefully now, Congressman, we are speaking up for the persecuted Church of Christ. Their Churches and monasteries are being seized. Their clergy and laity are being beaten and jailed. Most importantly, the Ukrainian parliament has passed a law banning the canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine.. Congressman Wilson, will you help us in getting rid of this law? You probably won’t. You are calling for an investigation to see if the Orthodox Church is spying for a foreign government, Russia.
Mr. Wilson, that is outrageous, and you know it.
I assume you profess Christianity, Congressman. You must have heard about criticizing another when you have a beam in your own eye.
Have you not received thousands of dollars from AIPAC, Congressman Wilson, to vote in favor of a foreign country, Israel?
Hmmm, who needs to be investigated?
OrthoChristian mentions that Leo was commemorated in the litany follows by Bartholomew at St. George. Is this true??
Yes,I heard it myself. But this is nothing new. It’s time to anathematize the EP. Let him have his union with the Papacy. My saint rejected it and so do I.
John…..wake up and smell the Greek caffe!
On Atheism
Saint Gregory Palamas speaks about the three kinds of atheism:
a) The first kind of atheism is when we openly confess that we are atheists.
b) The second kind of atheism is heresy—any kind of heresy.
c) The third kind of atheism is when we do not confess the faith, even though we are required to confess it. That is, when we remain silent. Silence, when we ought to confess our faith, is the third kind of atheism. We are atheists, in other words, when we do not speak. Do you understand?
While God is being insulted, while our faith is being insulted—those truths we have in our Church—and they are being trampled upon, we are obliged to speak and not to remain silent.
You hear someone blaspheming and you say nothing? If he were blaspheming your mother, wouldn’t you say something to him? If he were blaspheming your father or your children, wouldn’t you say something? So now that someone is blaspheming Christ and the Panagia (the Virgin Mary), why do you remain silent?
*Hieromonk Savvas Agioritis (“Is it permissible to react to deviations of priests?” — Published on 15-6-2023 on YouTube)*
The archons president has been president for as long as I can remember. I think he has 30 or 40 years of it. Longer than Putin has been running Russia……pot calling the kettle
Time for everyone to stand up to EP on all issues. Here is one:
“In January 2026, Metropolitan Tychikos announced his intention to apply to the civil courts of the Republic of Cyprus, demanding that he be reinstated as the ruling hierarch of the Paphos Metropolis. This was reported by UOJ in Greece.”
https://spzh.eu/en/news/90072-metropolitan-tychikos-seeks-court-ordered-return-to-paphos-see