Archbishop Should Stop Blocking

Very Rev. Kanztavelos' Episcopal Election

Letter to the Editor

By Demetra Patukas

The National Herald - May 12, 2006

To the Editor:

I was quite disturbed in reading about the letter sent by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago in the April 15 issue of the National Herald concerning the overlooking of the Very Rev. Demetri Kanztavelos to auxiliary bishop status.

Your Eminence, I also ask, why?

I have worked with Father Demetri since 1992, when we lost our son to complications from AIDS. The task force in Chicago was a source of comfort to me and my husband, as well as to Father Demetri. The task force work done by Father Demetri has the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos who, by the way, is one of the few Metropolitans who is a visionary in this field.

Father Demetri and I traveled to Los Angeles, where John Stamos, the Greek American actor, joined Father Demetri and me on the documentary, "A Family like Ours," a video on AIDS awareness, which was distributed to all Greek Orthodox parishes in America.

Father Demetri has been Metropolitan Iakovos' right hand man for the 14 years that I've known him. He is very astute as to the rubrics of our Church. He is a devoted servant of the Church, as well as chancellor of the Chicago Metropolis. He is proficient in both Greek and English, and strongly believes that Greek needs to be stressed more at our seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Furthermore, he is compassionate and hardworking. When he takes on an assignment, he completes the task above and beyond the call. What more does our Church want from an auxiliary bishop, Your Eminence?

The detractors must be as pure as white driven snow. I cannot imagine anything so devastating which would keep this fine young man from accomplishing his dream of becoming a bishop - a dream he shared with his grandmother - from being realized. It's a dream he has held onto for a long time, and frankly, it's time it came to fruition, for he is truly a worthy candidate.

I pray that the Lord will enlighten and guide you in this quest, so that you can give your blessing to this young man. It is an honor which is way past due.

Respectfully Submitted,

Demetra Patukas
Coatesville, Pennsylvania