14-year-old Girl is Assaulted In Loudoun County Church

BOSTON – A 14 year old Greek American girl was assaulted by a 60 year old man shortly after the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy at the entrance of the Greek Orthodox Parish of Loudoun County in Dulles Virginia. The president of the parish council, Mr. Michael Koutsourais, told the National Herald, “I understand she is coping well.”

Police officer Karkid Troxell told TNH, “the incident took place on Sunday (September 6) in the lobby of the church. Services had ended, the suspect put his arm on her and at some point he pulled her hand towards his private area. She pushed his arm away and called her mother. The deputies happened to be in the area and he was taken into custody.” He also said, “he is still being held without bond.”

The priest of the parish, Rev. John Kalatzis, refused to say anything about the incident. He said “I do not think I can tell you anything really, I have nothing to tell. My advice will be to contact the police.” When TNH responded, “you are the priest of the parish, it happened to one of your parishioners and you have nothing to say,” the priest, who is a U.S. Army chaplain and serves the parish on a part time basis, said
“I think I will let you talk to Metropolitan Evangelos and his staff.”

The president of the parish council responded differently. Koutsourais told TNH, “we regret what happened,” and said that, “the parish took immediate and appropriate action. The police were called immediately. Also, the priest was called to console and counsel the young girls and many parishioners including myself, while the man was dealt with by the authorities.” He also said that “the Metropolis of New Jersey was notified about the incident.”

Asked if the incident took place in the Narthex of the church, Mr. Koutsourais said, “I am not exactly sure where in the church it took place, weather it was in the narthex or in the reception area.” Speaking about the family he said, “they are good people, a good family.” He said that “the girl and her parents are parishioners of the parish.”

Koutsourais, speaking about the man, said, “I had not seen him before, I cannot tell if that was the first time he came because I was gone most of the summer. I understand that he may have been here once or twice before, but that was the first time I have ever seen him