The Sad Saga of Metropolitan Paisios

Astorians who worshipped at the Irene Chrysovalantou Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery in New York and Orthodox Christians everywhere are still stunned by what has transpired there since the puzzling announcement of their beloved Metropolitan’s retirement in October, 2010. TNH’s coverage by Theodore Kalmoukos follows:

“Crucified” Paisios Leaves the Altar With Bitter Blast

Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana celebrated his farewell Divine Liturgy as Abbot of the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery in Astoria, N.Y. on Sunday Oct. 24, 2010. Holding back tears during his sermon, Metropolitan Paisios said that, “Everything has a beginning and an end, and so my service which began 40 years ago has come to an end today.” However, the Metropolitan urged the faithful, to respect his successor. “Whoever the Ecumenical Patriarchate shall send, respect him; even if they send him who betrayed and crucified me, because he is going to be your new spiritual father,” he said, making reference to his deputy, Abbot Bishop Vikentios of Apameia. Paisios also said, “I want to thank all those who upset me, crucified me, and all those who made a crown of thorns for me to wear,” while two ladies were collecting signatures at the entrance of the church to send them to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in support of Metropolitan Paisios and request that the Patriarch not accept his resignation. (OCT. 30, 2010)

Nun Alleges Abuse at N.Y. Monastery

BOSTON – Sister Christonymphi Fitzpatrick, a nun at the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery in Astoria, N.Y., has left the monastic life after giving police a seven hours testimony about the Monastery. Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana, who left for Greece, saying he was resigning for “health reasons.” Fitzpatrick’s testimony was given to police over a seven hour period from Nov. 6 until 2 a.m. the next day.

Saying she feared for her life, Sister Christonymphi, 26, who became a nun at 14, left for an undisclosed location.

That happened as a three-member Patriarchal Exarchy team of official representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate came to New York to investigate.

The National Herald spoke with Metropolitan Paisios in Athens, but he refused to talk about Sister Christonymphi’s testimony, apart from saying the money she gave them “is for the third floor we wanted to build.” He also stated that the approximate amount of money in the briefcase “should be around $285,000 or something like that.”

When asked why the funds were being held in cash, Metropolitan Paisios said, “Because we did not want them to be used.” He said he knew nothing about what she may have told the police.(NOV. 13, 2010)

Bishop Vikentios Levels Shocking Sex Charges Against Paisios

NEW YORK – Bishop Vikentios of Apameia has made stunning allegations about Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana tenure at the Saint Irene Chrysovalantou Monastery and its Dependencies in Astoria, N.Y., including charges that the Metropolitan sexually abused the Bishop’s brother, Spyros Malamatenios, who was 17 at the time. In a long interview with The National Herald, Bishop Vikentios (Malamatenios), a close associate of Metropolitan Paisios (Loulourgas) for 40 years and co-founder of the Monastery, outlined a sordid tale of sex and other alleged wrongdoings. In the lengthy interview – which was taken on tape – live and unconditionally at the headquarters of TNH in New York, Bishop Vikentios made revelations of alleged serious excesses by the Metropolitan, including that he was involved with people of both sexes, including the young nun, Christonymphi, who now has given up the Monastic vows and talked to the police. Bishop Vikentios also revealed that, according to his information, the former nun had been pregnant but did not know by whom. (DEC. 18, 2010)

Patriarchate Suspends Metropolitan Paisios and Bishop Vikentios

BOSTON – The Ecumenical Patriarchate has levied the canonical punishment of an indefinite suspension upon Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, meaning that the two hierarchs are forbidden from celebrating the Divine Liturgy, holy sacraments, and any other Sacred Services of the Church. This decision was reached during an emergency meeting of the members of the Hierarchy residing in Constantinople. Sources told The National Herald that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew plans on revisiting the issue involving the Monastery of St. Irene. (DEC. 25, 2010)