Painful reading

The National Herald - May 12, 2006

The letters Metropolitan Iakovos and Archishop Demetrios exchanged just before Easter, concerning the proposed Episcopal elevation of a clergyman Iakovos supports, are painful reading.

Iakovos refers to the Demetrios' behavior as "demonic strategy" while Demetrios, in turn, accuses Iakovos of using "unacceptable and wrong characterizations of my actions." Rarely, if ever, does this kind of unbecoming behavior get publicized and provide people with a glimpse of the real clerical world, the one behind the scenes.

These two letters clearly document the depth of mistrust and the dividing wall which separates the senior Metropolitan of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Archbishop. It sheds light on the extent to which the Archbishop's leadership has been eroded within the Synod, as well. Stay tuned.