Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Letter from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Aims to Settle SLC Parish Disputes

Interior of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Salt Lake City

  Members of Salt Lake City’s Greek Orthodox parish have received a letter from the national leadership of the church that hopes to resolve some of the issues that have divided the parish.

The letter from Bishop Andonios, the archdiocese chancellor in New York, follows a meeting with parish leaders and Archbishop Demetrios in Denver last week.  It ends the discussion for now on dividing the parish that includes Holy Trinity Cathedral in Salt Lake City and Prophet Elias church in Holladay, though it leaves open the possibility that the issue could be studied in the future.

Andonios says in the letter one of the parish’s three priests, Father Michael Kouremetis,will be reassigned.  Parish leaders adopted a budget last year with funding for only two priests.

The letter also says some in the parish have chosen to promote what it calls “irrational fears” about the hierarchy taking church property.  It says that hasn’t happened in the 92 year history of the Archdiocese in the United States.

While declining a recorded interview, parish council president DimitriosTsagaris says the letter speaks for itself and he believes it puts the issues to rest.  Others within the parish say they’re planning a meeting tonight to discuss their response to the letter from the archdiocese.

KUER is listener-supported public radio. Support this work by making a donation today.