Archbishop Demetrios of America

The next couple of days will be crucial for the future of Hellenism in the United States. A decision will be taken in Istanbul on whether Archbishop Demetrios of America will step down from his post and, if so, who will replace him. Officials in Athens would in the past treat this as a routine decision. But this is no longer the case.

The clergy and laity of the Archdiocese of America are anxiously awaiting the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which meets October 9-11, amid widespread speculation among community leaders that a change is imminent after reports that Patriarch Vartholomaios has twice recently urged Archbishop Demetrios of America to step down.

An endowment fund supporting the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Leadership 100, has announced a donation of 250,000 dollars for the victims of July's east Attica wildfires.

Leadership 100 Chairman Argyris Vassiliou said that 200,000 dollars of the donation was approved by the endowment's executive committee, while the remaining 50,000 was raised from members.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has expressed its "deep sorrow" and "agony" for the devastating fires in eastern Attica.

In the history-filled chambers of the Holy Synod of the Phanar a week ago, Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios finally asked Archbishop Demetrios of America to submit his resignation.

Demetrios refused. "I still have a lot of work to do," he responded. It was an astonishingly rebellious act.