Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America Elpidophoros leads a St. Nicholas Day celebration inside the National Shrine of St. Nicholas at the World Trade Center in New York, in a December 6, 2019 file photo. (PA)
Efforts are underway to address growing tensions in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, centered on Archbishop Elpidophros, although some circles speak of imminent developments in the coming days. In Athens, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul and the United States, behind-the-scenes discussions and initiatives have been frenetic over the past fortnight, although ultimately it will come down to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is keeping his cards close to his chest. chest and hasn’t even told his loved ones about what he plans to do.
The indisputable facts are as follows: Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou traveled to Istanbul on Saturday, November 11 and remained there until the following Monday afternoon. She was officially received by the Patriarch on Monday morning for a visit which lasted an hour and a quarter, followed by lunch. It involved more people and lasted almost three hours, a detail that was interpreted as a serious indication of the less-than-good climate in the one-on-one discussions that preceded the lunch.
According to other sources, the three-day visit included a broader program of diplomatic contacts with priests and high-ranking officials of the Patriarchate.
The objective of all these meetings was, as confirmed by diplomatic sources, “to express the concern of the (Greek) government regarding developments on the other side of the Atlantic, as to the way in which managed the Archdiocese of America.”
More specifically, the sources add, “reference was made to problems of flock cohesion, the restriction of educational activities and the financial affairs of the archdiocese, while it appears that all of these issues have raised questions about the motivations which dictated the Archbishop of America. Elpidophoros decisions for the archdiocese.
A diplomatic source familiar with the events underlines that even if the government has no decision-making power on such issues, “it has the right to express its concerns”. This is an important clarification, because this issue falls entirely within the competence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which apparently cannot be influenced by external factors. The Patriarch was reportedly extremely upset to see the contents of his meeting with Papadopoulou leaked to the press the very next day, while still more reports emerged two days later, after the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was convened for a briefing by Bartholomew on Papadopoulou’s visit. .
The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his intense displeasure and concern, even calling it “fake news” regarding some details mentioned in some reports, and questioned the motivations for the leak, according to reliable sources, who added that the provenance of the leak is under investigation. Indeed, this leak also raises concerns on a diplomatic level, as the last thing Athens wanted was to give the impression that it was seeking to influence the decisions of the Patriarchate, particularly regarding what this might mean in terms of reactions from the Turkish side.
Grievances
But what about the grievances expressed against Archbishop Elpidophoros? It appears there have been numerous complaints and protests against the way he is handling the affairs of the archdiocese. More specifically, these are apparent tensions with a large number of metropolitan bishops that make cooperation dysfunctional, efforts by the archbishop to radically change the way the archdiocese operates, and suggestions that he is seeking ways to given more powers.
Other sources speak of his inability to adapt to the habits of the Archdiocese of America, which are completely different from those of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, claiming that this is the root cause of the constant tensions with bishops and other members of the clergy.
On the other hand, those close to Elpidophoros claim that he is being criticized because he wants to introduce changes that will improve the functioning of the archdiocese. These changes affect parties who see powers and financial rewards they should never have enjoyed being restricted and who have banded together against the archbishop.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew did not share his views on essential aspects of the controversy, not even with his closest associates. He had traveled to Italy last Tuesday for a prior engagement, so any developments regarding the matter in question are expected to take place this week.
An individual close to the Patriarch’s inner circle, however, says there have been no signs to suggest that the Patriarchate might be unhappy with the Archbishop of America, unlike in past instances where the Patriarchate has had to weigh in on issues concerning the hierarchs under his jurisdiction. and where he openly expressed his disturbance. According to the same individual, the problem seems to come from the “exaggerated sensitivities” of certain people towards the archbishop.
Divided diaspora
The situation with the Archdiocese of America is extremely unpleasant and very thorny, and it has caused a divide within the Greek-American community, part of which has openly sided with Elpidophoros and supports his choices, all praising the work he has accomplished so far. .
The president of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), Savas Tsivicos, actually sent a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in which he rejected the accusations against Elpidophoros as baseless, attributing them to personal motivations and possibly be financial. He also highlighted some important achievements made by Elpidophoros since he took over as head of the Archdiocese of America in 2019, such as the completion of the Greek Orthodox Church project and the National Shrine of Saint Nicholas at the World Trade Center and the revival of the Greek institution. -Orthodox communities, among others. Tsivicos then requested a meeting with the patriarch in mid-January to discuss the matter in more detail.
In the rival camp, also quite numerous, the archbishop’s critics accuse him of pursuing a policy of “divide and rule” and of exercising his duty in an unconventional manner, which poses problems for the hierarchs of the archdiocese and prevents them from doing their job. They also argue that his approach to archdiocesan affairs erodes the influence and prestige of the Greek Orthodox Church, with many criticisms notably pointing to Elpidophoros’ presence at the inauguration of the Turkish House in New York in September 2021, an event that was also attended by the leader of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar.
Each side insists on its own truth, even if the ecumenical patriarch is the one who has the last word. In the meantime, this is a matter that must be handled tactfully, as the stakes are high, as the controversy is not purely of an ecclesiastical nature but may affect, among other things, aspects of foreign policy and presence Hellenic in Greece. other parts of the world.
Regarding the concerns of the Greek government and the way in which they were conveyed to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, those close to Elpidophoros speak of excessive reactions, referring to the meetings that the Archbishop of America had with the Greek Prime Minister in July in Athens and in September in New York. The intervention of Deputy Minister Papadopoulou of course testifies to the concern at the highest level of government, with well-informed sources noting, in reference to the two meetings, “that relations with the Archdiocese of America are neither dark nor white”.
