St. George Community of Lynn, Massachusetts, Refuses to Pay its Contribution to the Archdiocese

By on February 9, 2011 in News

The St. George community of Lynn, Massachusetts, refuses to pay its $88,000 financial contribution to the Archdiocese. Until recently, the amount was $68,000. The president of the community council, Ioannis Meklis and dean Georgios Tsoukalas, with the unanimous decision of the council, told the Metropolitan of Boston, Methodios, that the community is unable pay more than $68,000. On January 31st, 2011, the council and the priest sent a letter to the members of the community.  It explained the situation and stated that St. George church is in a difficult situation and needs everybody’s support. All members should attend the General Assembly.  It will be held on Wednesday, February 16th, at 7:00 p.m. If it snows, the Assembly will be held on Thursday, February 17th.



  • Greek in Boston

    Not like Methodios needs the money, he drives his luxury car and takes planes on everyone elses dime. Let the churches pay what they can afford, (Stewardship) that they preach. Also let Methodios earn his own money and pay for his own expenses and he should earn less than 68K a year (like most priests).

    I spoke to 4-5 friends about this tonight and they agreed. Do the best Lynn, and forget the Methodios… HE Should be helping YOU when your down and out (not the opposite). We support you Lynn!!!

  • Former Lynner

    Congratulations St George. It's a bout time Methodios were put into his place. Why should the churches cough up money for Methodios and hi luxury Mercedes – or better yet, he ravenous appetite when he "visits" churches. Good luck St George and DON'T give up.

  • georgos from cape co

    We also have the displeasure of working with the Methodios Character. He deserves a reprimand not praise, and he thinks money rules the world. Sad that Greeks have the displeasure of this arrogant imbasule representing us in the public eye. He needs to check himself and let churches buy candles, and upgrade their things so that more people come to church. Best regards Lynn!

  • Where Does the Money

    Who holds Methodios accountable for the finances of the Archdiocese? Let's face due to their lack of fiscal responsibility, all parishes have to pay for. All parishes and business alike have been cutting their respective budgets, why does the Boston Archdiocese's budget keeps growing?? And why do we allow it? Methodios isn't accountable to anyone, he sits on top of his ivory towel and bellows demands and does what he wants.

    ST. George Good Luck

  • George A. Varelas

    My Fellow Greek Orthodox: Let's stand together and tell the hierarchs NO MORE MONEY. Let's not give in! Let's not become subjects to their scare tactics and to their threats that they will close our churches. Without our communities they will be in the unemployment lines. GOD BLESS YOU Saint George at Lyn Mass.

  • Peter Sokaris

    St. Sophia Church in Albany has an annual budget of $542,000 & pays an annual diocese allocation of only $65,000. St. Sophia Church in Albany has refused to terminate its immoral Wednesday evening bingo activities but has never received any warning from the Archdicese about being closed down. Why is St. Sophia being treated differently from St. George's?

    • Concerned Lynn Parishioner

      is there some type of formula that they use that can be used against Methodios. After reading, seems they think spending more on a church and fundraising for it doesn’t / shouldn’t give the diocese more cash flow from the church (and what methodios thinks). if there is a formula, seems he can be made more aware of it.

  • ADT

    Before you accuse Methodios, you should first read the two letters that he sent to the St. George parishioners. (links at the bottom of my note)

    After you read them, you will be correct in getting mad at his ignorance, arrogance, and his improper use of Christianity to steal, threaten and insult the parishioners of St. George.

    His character "shines" through these letters. It shows how low Methodios can go. Threatening the priest for the parishioners' decisions, effectively calling the parishioners and the parish council liars.

    "If you can afford to fix your church you can afford to pay me the assessment" Obviously, his eminence misses two important points: (a) if the parishioners trusted him, they would have come up with the money (maybe); and (2) the blue collar parish has been affected by the current recession more than many white collar parishes.

    If Methodios does not realize this, then he should be removed from his post and replaced — with anyone.

    And as to Methodios' character, I recall many years ago, I was in the Greek consulate with children from the parish celebrating the 25th of March. The children were sitting on the stairs snacking. He passed by them and acted as if they were an annoyance (the children — what did Jesus say about the children sir?) He did not even say hello to them. And this is the man leading the Archdiocese of Boston? Our Metropolitan?

    No way Methodios. No way.

    May the Lord help you.

    http://stgeorgelynn.org/truthjohn832.pdf http://stgeorgelynn.org/faithfulstewards.pdf

  • Finnigan

    Fight them tooth and nail. They are extorting money and they don’t deserve it.