Ecumenical Patriarchate Suspends Metropolitan Paisios and Bishop Vikentios Indefinitely

[MJS]

Title: Ecumenical Patriarchate Suspends Metropolitan Paisios and
Bishop Vikentios Indefinitely

Author: Theodore Kalmoukos

Date Published: 12/19/2010

Publication: The National Herald online

Links:

http://www.thenationalherald.com/article/48407

http://www.thenationalherald.com/

http://pokrov.org/display.asp?ds=Article&id=1536

BOSTON -- The Ecumenical Patriarchate has levied the canonical
punishment of an indefinite suspension upon Metropolitan Paisios of
Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, meaning that the two prelates
are forbidden from celebrating the divine liturgy, holy sacraments,
and any other holy services of the church. This decision was reached
during an emergency meeting of the members of the Holy Synod residing
in the Patriarchate's headquarters in Constantinople.

Sources tell The National Herald that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
plans on revisiting the issue involving the the Patriarchal and
Stravropegial Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, NY and
its former leadership during the next meeting of the Holy Synod at the
Phanar, which is scheduled for January 8, 2011.

As has been reported by TNH, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the
entire Greek American Community have been rocked by the scandalous
allegations which came to light at the St. Irene Monastery this past
fall.

During its previous meeting, the Holy Synod decided to accept the
resignation submitted by Metropolitan Paisios, while also asking
Bishop Vikentios to resign from his post as well, which he
subsequently did. Afterwards, it named Bishop Ilia of Philomelion as
acting abbot. Bishop Ilia was expected to arrive at the monastery this
past Friday Dec. 17.

The announcement made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate reads as
follows:

”It is hereby announced that the Hierarchs of the Throne in our City
gathered for an extraordinary session today, December 17, 2010, and
revisited the issue which has arisen at the Patriarchal and
Stravropegial Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, New
York, unanimously arriving at the decision to suspend indefinitely
both Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana, former Abbot of the Monastery, and
Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, its former Deputy Abbot, from every
clerical function.

At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the 17th of December 2010

From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod”

[++]

Post by MJS
Title: Ecumenical Patriarchate Suspends Metropolitan Paisios and
Bishop Vikentios Indefinitely
Author: Theodore Kalmoukos
Date Published: 12/19/2010
Publication: The National Herald online
http://www.thenationalherald.com/article/48407
http://www.thenationalherald.com/
http://pokrov.org/display.asp?ds=Article&id=1536
BOSTON -- The Ecumenical Patriarchate has levied the canonical
punishment of an indefinite suspension upon Metropolitan Paisios of
Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, meaning that the two prelates
are forbidden from celebrating the divine liturgy, holy sacraments,
and any other holy services of the church. This decision was reached
during an emergency meeting of the members of the Holy Synod residing
in the Patriarchate's headquarters in Constantinople.
Sources tell The National Herald that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
plans on revisiting the issue involving the the Patriarchal and
Stravropegial Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, NY and
its former leadership during the next meeting of the Holy Synod at the
Phanar, which is scheduled for January 8, 2011.
As has been reported by TNH, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the
entire Greek American Community have been rocked by the scandalous
allegations which came to light at the St. Irene Monastery this past
fall.
During its previous meeting, the Holy Synod decided to accept the
resignation submitted by Metropolitan Paisios, while also asking
Bishop Vikentios to resign from his post as well, which he
subsequently did. Afterwards, it named Bishop Ilia of Philomelion as
acting abbot. Bishop Ilia was expected to arrive at the monastery this
past Friday Dec. 17.
The announcement made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate reads as
”It is hereby announced that the Hierarchs of the Throne in our City
gathered for an extraordinary session today, December 17, 2010, and
revisited the issue which has arisen at the Patriarchal and
Stravropegial Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, New
York, unanimously arriving at the decision to suspend indefinitely
both Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana, former Abbot of the Monastery, and
Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, its former Deputy Abbot, from every
clerical function.
At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the 17th of December 2010
From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod”

Dear Melanie,

I'm kind of confused on this one. Isn't this the bishop (Paisios of
Astoria) who said that his brother and other youths had been abused?
In other words, has a relative of a victim been victimized for
speaking out against abuse? Or was he defrocked for not bringing the
abuse to the attention of his bishop earlier?

[MJS]

On Dec 22, 7:00 pm, "++" <***@gmail.com> wrote:

<<I'm kind of confused on this one.    Isn't this the bishop (Paisios
of Astoria) who said that his brother and other youths had been
abused? In other words, has a relative of a victim been victimized for
speaking out against abuse?  Or was he defrocked for not bringing the
abuse to the attention of his bishop earlier?>>

It was Bishop Vikentios Malamatenios who alleged that his brother was
abused at age 17 by Metropolitan Paisios Loulourgas.

But to respond to your question, I don't know if anyone knows the
answer to this other than the EP's synod. Yet another possible reason
for the suspension, besides the two you raised, was that Malamatenios
gave an interview in NY after being order by his synod to stay out of
the US.

Melanie

[++]

Post by MJS
<<I'm kind of confused on this one.    Isn't this the bishop (Paisios
of Astoria) who said that his brother and other youths had been
abused? In other words, has a relative of a victim been victimized for
speaking out against abuse?  Or was he defrocked for not bringing the
abuse to the attention of his bishop earlier?>>
It was Bishop Vikentios Malamatenios who alleged that his brother was
abused at age 17 by Metropolitan Paisios Loulourgas.
But to respond to your question, I don't know if anyone knows the
answer to this other than the EP's synod. Yet another possible reason
for the suspension, besides the two you raised, was that Malamatenios
gave an interview in NY after being order by his synod to stay out of
the US.
Melanie

Thanks for clarifying, Melanie. I wonder in general if a priest ought
be defrocked who knew of abuse and stood by, allowing the abuse to
continue. It would be a way of enabling abuse. In Astoria, there was
a pregnant nun?

[MJS]

On Dec 23, 1:19 pm, "++" <***@gmail.com> wrote:

<<Thanks for clarifying, Melanie.  I wonder in general if a priest
ought be defrocked who knew of abuse and stood by, allowing the abuse
to continue.  It would be a way of enabling abuse.>>

I think so.

<<In Astoria, there was a pregnant nun?>>

That's what the National Herald reported.

Melanie