Greeks in America - eBooks4Greeks.gr

THE GREEKS IN AMERICA 121of the new Grecian territories, under the presidencyof archbishop Gennadios, Metropolitan of Salonica,found Theocletos and some of his associates guiltyin the matter of the anathema, unfrocked them andsent them to monasteries in Crete and elsewhere.Later Archbishop Meletios Metaxakis, Metropolitanof Kition, Cyprus, a Cretan, was called to Athensas Metropolitan and Primate of Greece. On Venizelos'fall (Nov. 1920) the new Greek Governmentasked Archbishop Meletios to vacate his palace andseat claiming his appointment was null and void.He yielded, protesting against the interference of thestate in affairs of the church, and claiming to be thelawful Metropolitan of Athens. The government restoredTheocletos to the Metropolitan throne, ignoringthe former action of the ecclesiastical council.Bishop Alexander Eodostolou in America refused torecognize the authority of the Synod and Metropolitan,as they were still under ecclesiastical discipline.The Synod charged him with disloyalty and summonedhim to Greece. He refused to obey, sayinghe would acknowledge fealty only to the Patriarchof Constantinople, the highest authority in thechurch. The Synod then appointed Germanos Trojanos,bishop of Sparta and Monemvasia, as SynodicalExarch in North and South America. Hereached New York in June, 1921. His office is at 12W. 76th Street, New York City. A part of thepriests and communities acknowledge Rodostolouand a part Trojanos as bishop. Each claims amajority. In December, 1921 a majority acknowledgedBishop Rodostolou. The breach widens,churches and communities are divided and the effectis depressing on the spiritual life of the church. InApril, 1921, Archbishop Meletios came to America.He supported Rodostolou. The patriarchate at Constantinoplerecognized him as head of the^ GreekChurch in America and refused to recognize the