By Theodore Kalmoukos
Pokrov
February 14, 2009
http://pokrov.org/display.asp?ds=Article&id=902
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| In this archive photo, Archimandrite Gabriel Karambis, right, tries to calm down the parishioners of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of NY, who were angry that former Archbishop Spyridon had replaced the popular Fr. Robert Stephanopoulos with Fr. Karambis. |
BOSTON – Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver had gone as far as to dismiss 13 members of the Annunciation Cathedral of Houston, Texas some three years ago for Archimandrite Gabriel Karambis’ sake, said a prominent member of the Greek American Community of Houston and also former official of the parish who requested to keep his anonymity for now.
“Metropolitan Isaiah did that despite the fact that the vast majority of the parish was against Rev. Karambis and the congregants were requesting Fr. Karambis’ removal from the parish,” he said.
Shortly before Christmas, Metropolitan Isaiah informed the parish that Archimandrite Karambis was removed from his priestly duties, placed on suspension and sent to the Spiritual Court of the Denver Metropolis, as The National Herald had reported on December 29, 2008.
In a letter sent by Metropolitan Isaiah dated December 26, 2008, he wrote that “I am deeply saddened to inform you that your former proistamenos, Father Gabriel Karambis, was relieved of all his priestly duties by me by letter on December 12, 2008. A Spiritual Court of the Metropolis of Denver, convened on December 23, 2008, concurred with this action, and further recommended that the case of Father Karambis be reviewed by the Spiritual Court of Second Instance (Eparchial Synod).”
Isaiah who was very close friends with Fr. Karambis also wrote that “what I wish to share with you is that the reason for Father Karambis’ suspension had nothing to do with the parish or the parishioners. His suspension does not pertain to any financial improprieties against the parish, nor to any misconduct involving minors or parishioners.” He went on to say that “the reason I relieved him of his duties had to do with his own personal life and how it negatively reflected on the holy priesthood.”
Fr. Karambis will be sent to the Second Instance Spiritual Court of the Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese which will be convened in special meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17-18 2009 at the Archdiocese Headquarters in New York.
On December 29, 2009 the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese issued an official announcement stating, “The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America with profound sadness makes known the following information: On December 12, 2008, Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver notified the Parish of the Annunciation Cathedral of Houston, TX, that he relieved the Very Rev. Archimandrite Gabriel Karambis of his duties as a pastor of the Cathedral and subsequently suspended him from all priestly duties.
A Spiritual Court of the First Instance held at the Metropolis of Denver on December 23, 2008, reviewed the issues giving rise to this serious canonical disciplinary action and recommended the indefinite continuation of Fr. Karambis’ suspension and the reference of the matter to the Spiritual Court of the Second Instance (Eparchial Synod) for the ultimate disposition of the case. Subsequently, Metropolitan Isaiah with a pastoral letter to the Annunciation Parish dated December 26, 2008, stated the reasons for the above-mentioned action. The suspension of Fr. Karambis does not pertain to any financial improprieties against the Parish or to any misconduct involving minors or parishioners.” The Archdiocese had also attached Metropolitan Isaiah’s letter to the Annunciation Cathedral parish of Houston.
A prominent member of Houston’s Greek American community told The Herald that “we became worried from the beginning when we learned that Metropolitan Isaiah was getting ready to appoint Fr. Karambis as priest to our parish, because we had received information from friends in New York, Chicago and Washington about him, but Isaiah insisted that Karambis was the right priest for our parish.”
He also said that “the first confrontation occurred when someone close to Karambis had sent him money to buy an apartment and he wanted to pass the money through the church. We resisted and we said something like that is not right and that there was danger of losing the non-profit status from the IRS and of course we did not allow that.
As time passed, confrontations between Archimandrite Karambis and the parish were becoming more frequent and when they reached a dead end Isaiah visited the parish and had a discussion in a general assembly format with the parishioners, the vast majority of whom were demanding Karambis’ removal from the parish.
“Metropolitan Isaiah told us at the meeting that he was going to think and decide in a few weeks what to do,” the parishioner said. “Within two weeks they sent a letter removing 13 members of the parish council and appointing a group of former presidents. There was turmoil in the church and the number of families dropped from 1,200 to 800. When new elections were held Isaiah did not allow the 13 removed members of the parish council to be candidates for election.”
He also said that “Fr. Karambis refused to give holy communion to the removed parish council, unless they went to confession to him ask for forgiveness first. The situation at the church had become unbearable but Isaiah supported Fr. Karambis all the way because they were close friends. Now that the incident occurred with Karambis many friends of mine are saying how relieved they feel that they did not go to Karambis for confession. We are talking about terrible situations.”
He also said that “now Isaiah has lost his voice. He has not explained what has transpired with Karambis whom he removed overnight.”
Asked what he thinks actually did happen, he said “I am sorry but I will not tell you out of respect. I simply say it is an issue of ethical nature.”
The removed parish council members filed a lawsuit at the
Houston court but “the judge did not want to deal with the issue due to the separation between Church and State here in the U.S.” He also said that “the people here continue to be in a state of shock about the Karambis issue and they are trying to put the problem behind them and look to the future of the parish.”
The Herald has learned that Fr. Karambis has put his apartment up for sale. He continues to be in Houston but he is not visible in the Greek Community at all. Fr. Karambis doesn’t answer his telephone. The Herald has attempted time and again to call him without success thus far.
Prominent priest and professor Demetrios Constantelos in a recent interview with the parent publication of The National Herald, the «Aeieeuo E?noi», said about Karambis that “when I was teaching at the Theological School I had personally requested his dismissal because he was incapable of learning and because of his character.”
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