The Uprising of the Greek-American Community of Astoria

Theodore Kalmoukos, Editor of The National Herald

November 13, 2025

[Comment: It’s a shame when the only things that cause “uprisings” in the New Calendarist Church are financial, not spiritual or theological…]

 

I ask in advance for the understanding of our readers for this personal reference, and I wish to begin this analysis by saying that the uprising of the Greek-American community of Astoria against the Archbishopric’s tactics of imposition and “seizure” of the community and school of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria found me in Greece attending to family matters. I also wish once again to thank all those who wrote to ask why I had not commented earlier.

Because of constant travel, an unending pace, and limited internet access, I was unable to respond sooner. I do so now to state, first and foremost, that this outburst of devout and dedicated Greek Americans, faithful to the Church and to Greek education, was entirely expected.

People have grown weary and exhausted by the endless, unfulfilled, and repetitive promises that lead nowhere. They are tired of seeing the appointment of inept and uninformed individuals to crucial positions within the community that, together with its school, was until a few years ago the pride of Hellenism in New York and, by extension, in America.

Undoubtedly, the uprising of Astoria, as it will go down in history, despite Archbishop Elpidophoros’ desperate attempts to dismiss it as “fake news,” only deepened the panic and disrepute surrounding him. Our people possess reason, discernment, and intelligence. They see and understand far more than he, his paid courtiers, and his tragicomic “messengers” acting as pitiful defenders can imagine. One need only have a single conversation with Greek Americans involved in the Astoria uprising to understand much. It is that simple.

Elpidophoros himself returned to the “scene of the crime” for the feast of St. Demetrios and once again repeated the same myths about “fake news,” seemingly unaware that he was insulting the intelligence of the people of the parish and the broader Greek-American community, and proving once again the narrow mindset he brings to the proud and unyielding Hellenism of America, a mindset that brings shame to both the Church and the community.

Let it be said, however, that the dark and decaying condition in which our ecclesiastical life has fallen is not solely the fault of Elpidophoros, who is, after all, what he is, as described two years ago in an interview with The National Herald by his former professor from Thessaloniki, lest we forget.

I would dare to say what so many are saying everywhere, in the Phanar, in Greece, and in Europe, that the chief person responsible for the degradation of the Archdiocese of America is Patriarch Bartholomew himself. He knows everything, sees, hears, and is informed, even by Archon orders, yet chooses to feign ignorance.

What truly seems to matter is not the well-being of the Church or the Greek-American community, but money. Yes, money above all. For years, the Archdiocese of America has been regarded as Orthodoxy’s “goldfish,” or, if you prefer, its “picky bag,” serving “the needs of the Mother Church, philanthropic and otherwise.” Meanwhile, our own parishes, schools, and institutions are left to crumble. Yet Elpidophoros is not to blame for finding wealth and luxury and growing comfortable, nor are his “collectors.”

The blame lies with us, the faithful, the parish members who keep giving instead of tending first to our own household.

At the most recent meeting of the Archdiocesan Council, it was reported that the Archdiocese’s finances are so strong that a multimillion-dollar surplus has accumulated. It is therefore time for the parishes to cut in half their mandatory financial contributions to the Archdiocese, or better yet, to decide for themselves how much they can afford to give, rather than being dictated to from above.

It is a shame and an injustice that our people in the parishes grill souvlakia, lambs, pigs, and other roasts, sweating over the fire at their Greek festivals, only for the proceeds to be sent to the Archdiocese so that Elpidophoros and his entourage can make their frequent trips to Constantinople, delivering their “offerings” and flattering the aging Patriarch with claims that all is well in America. To the point where Bartholomew reportedly tells other hierarchs that Elpidophoros is “envied,” and therefore “persecuted.” Incredible, isn’t it?

But the uprising of Astoria pulverizes all such pitiful excuses and proclaims clearly that a famine is coming. Do you understand?

 

Source: https://www.thenationalherald.com/the-uprising-of-the-greek-american-community-of-astoria/