The Plight of Isolation: Unacceptable, this restriction also extends to the promotion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarch himself

1 week ago 10

By Theodore Kalmoukos, National Herald – Boston

If the announcement prohibiting the usage of photos and videos hadn’t been posted connected the authoritative website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 1 mightiness deliberation it was a gag oregon a hoax.

However, it represents yet different ‘feat’ of Elpidophoros and his tribunal helots of alleged nationalist relations, which are present thing but public. The observed practices of the alleged Orthodox Observer look unorthodox.

This concerns the quality of the ‘ban’ connected the usage of photos and videos by the media, which was published by The National Herald successful some its Greek and English editions connected January 4, 2025. While its work successful the Greek variation is considered self-evident, I stress it due to the fact that Elpidophoros and his interior ellipse person astir wholly eliminated the Greek connection from the Archdiocese’s website.

Only a fewer Encyclicals – astatine astir 5 to 7 times a twelvemonth – are published successful Greek, specified arsenic for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Archons Sunday, AHEPA Sunday, and the Three Hierarchs, with the accustomed trivial boasts astir the Greek connection and Hellenism.

Thus, Elpidophoros proves to beryllium the quintessential undertaker of the Greek connection and Hellenism, contempt claims to the contrary. Is the Greek-speaking information of the flock of secondary importance? Doesn’t it, too, wage the mandatory ‘taxation’ done parishes to enactment the Archdiocese and its salaried staff, including, of course, the caput of the Communications Department, the honorable Mr. Stratos Safioleas?

It is unheard of for media outlets present and worldwide to beryllium required, and successful writing, nary less, to question anterior support from the Archdiocese’s Communications Department (AKA Safioleas) for the usage of photos oregon videos. Should a media outlet marque the mistake of not sending a written petition beforehand detailing the intent of the usage and neglect to person written support from the honorable Mr. Safioleas, they should brace for ‘punishment’ arsenic threatened successful the announcement – namely, ineligible action.

Undoubtedly, this is unprecedented and absurd, evoking lone ridicule and sorrow for the ‘decline’ of the once-glorious Archdiocese of America. Elpidophoros and his associates look to hide that the Archdiocese, classified by the U.S. authorities arsenic a nonprofit organization, has definite inherent obligations since it is supported and sustained by the piety and generosity of its faithful members.

The peculiarly ‘tasty’ portion of this matter is that the photos and videos taken by Archdiocese-employed photographers, paid by the Church – hence, by the faithful – are referred to arsenic ‘digital assets’ of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, arsenic if this ‘property’ was brought by Elpidophoros from Bursa oregon Halki oregon by Safioleas from Athens. The deficiency of seriousness is striking.

With this abortive announcement of the ban, His Eminence steps further into the realm of… freezing himself retired of our Community. Our community, this honorable and devout radical who prolong each the church-affiliated individuals, person judgement and discernment and recognize acold much than Elpidophoros and his courtiers imagine. Instead of being grateful that the Archbishop’s photos are published, they enforce barriers and endanger ineligible action. A existent farce.

Of course, determination is different dimension: the prohibition besides applies to Archdiocesan institutions wherever the Archbishop presides, blesses, and sanctifies, including the nave and National Shrine of St. Nicholas.

How does Leadership 100, which has donated immense sums of wealth – $880,000, arsenic revealed by The National Herald – consciousness astir Safioleas forbidding its photographer, Mr. Dimitrios Panagos, Archon Photographer of the Ecumenical Throne, from photographing its conferences and events, and not allowing these photos to beryllium shared with the media without Safioleas’ written permission?

This regularisation besides extends to the promotion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarch himself.

This became evident connected Wednesday, January 8, 2025, with the posting of a photograph of Patriarch Bartholomew with Archbishop Elpidophoros and the caller Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta.

Moreover, judging by communications and reactions from Metropolitans, it seems the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese was not informed of Elpidophoros and Safioleas’ antics. The Metropolitans did not work the announcement connected the Archdiocese’s website but successful The National Herald, arsenic did everyone other – whether successful the Phanar, Greece, Europe, oregon Australia.

No 1 should hide that the Eparchial Synod indispensable person a accidental successful each matters affecting the broader Church.