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Pittsburgh Tribune Review - September 27, 1999

Greek Orthodox diocese's leaders to discuss future

By Cathy Rubin
TRIBUNE-REVIEW

The annual meeting of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh will be business as usual this weekend, but without the distractions of a national hierarchy conflict.

Metropolitan Demetrios of Vresthena, Greece, was enthroned Sept. 18 as the head of the 2 million-member American archdiocese headquartered in New York. He replaced Archbishop Spyridon, who for at least three years was criticized by Orthodox leaders for stifling dissent.

"I think we can be less distracted with the controversies in New York and better focus on what we can do with bettering the lives of people here in the diocese," said the Rev. John Panagiotou, chancellor of the diocese of Pittsburgh.

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Panagiotou said Demetrios' leadership will enable the American diocese to resolve its cultural clash with the church's European traditions.

"We're on the heels of the new millennium, and the old ways have to really gain an appreciation for this distinct American life we have," Panagiotou said. "We have a culture that's unique, yet we're Americans."

Panagiotou predicted the assembly would not discuss unifying with the Orthodox Church in America, whose leader, Metropolitan Theodosius, in July officially called for the roughly 15 Orthodox dioceses in North America to combine under one administrative authority.

North America is the only region where there are overlapping jurisdictions - contrary to the Orthodox canonical principle of a single church entity in a given territory.

Mother churches in Central and Eastern Europe that head North American dioceses of the Greek, Antiochian, Serbian and Carpatho-Rusyn churches have opposed the move because they fear political and financial loss.

"Given our historical situation, this is something that down the road seems to be inevitable," Panagiotou said. "It's just not the time now."

[ Pittsburgh Tribune Review - September 27, 1999 ]