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Attn: His Eminence Metropolitan +Gerasimos
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94103-2320

10/30/2016

Your Eminence,

We regret having to write you under these circumstances, but feel that we have no other choice. This letter represents 26 faculty and students currently enrolled in the School of Theology, 4 administrative staff, and 9 students from Hellenic College. We are writing in order to express to you in writing the disastrous course the school has taken under the leadership of the new president, Fr. Christopher Metropulos.

As Orthodox Christians who are deeply committed to our Faith and the Mission of the Orthodox Church in America, we have done everything possible in order to obtain change without having to appeal to your authority. Under his leadership, the Crisis affecting the School is no longer limited to serious concerns about the academic and personal formation of students. His incompetence, mismanagement, and explosive temperament make a working and praying environment nearly impassible for those of us who work closely with him.

The difference between his leadership and that of the previous president, Father Nicholas Triantafilou are night and day. Anyone who has worked in close proximity to Father Christopher can attest to his rapid mood swings, constant memos, and hostile attitude when his decisions come under scrutiny. His most recent behavior has gone further beyond the pale, as shown in the following examples:

• His criticism of professors (by name) in in meetings with seminarians.

• His praising of celibacy in public, "I have sent five men to the monasteries" but in his office calling Father Maximos Constas and Father Joachim "Queens."

• His refusal to write letters of recommendation for ordination on behalf of graduates who offered constructive criticism on how to improve the school.

• His refusal to punish "favorite" students. Under his tenure, horrible violations of community standards in the Dormitories have occurred. Providing alcohol to minors and gross sexual immorality results in only a warning for some students, but previously would have led to expulsion.

• His insistence in seminarian meetings that he "Represents the Archbishop" and "Represents the Metropolitans." He specifically references the Archdiocesan charter that requires a fetter of recommendation from the president in order to submit paperwork for ordination.

• His constant insistence that no one "speak badly about the school" in seminarian meetings.

• His explosive temperament and use of expletives both in the office and in the Holy Altar.

• His use of the term "Πούστη" around students.

As you are aware, state and federal laws prohibit retaliation and harassment, and hostile work environments can be subject to legal action. We have exhausted all other means of rectifying this situation- although Dr. Skedros and Father Nicholas are good men they refuse to take initiative in this situation.

We ask you to address the leadership, direction, and future of the school in your upcoming synodal meetings. Many of us are preparing for ordination in the future. The last thing we wish to do is to tarnish the reputation of the Church that we love. However, we refuse to tolerate the actions and behavior of Father Christopher any more. We are currently designing a website that will categorize Father Christopher's misdeeds and the true situation at the school.

In summary, we wish we did not have to write this letter. All of us wanted Father Christopher's success. We need visionary leadership who has both Christian Charity and a true desire to make the School the best place it can be. Instead, we have been demeaned and insulted by a man who should know better.

We know how the school operates. qur complaint will most likely be buried, and business will occur as usual. However, we can promise if an inquiry does not occur along with substantial change in Father Christopher's actions and management style, our website will go live on December 1st.

We are asking as loyal sons and daughters of the Church to do what you can to address this situation. We always keep you in our prayers, and look forward to your visits to campus. There is nothing that we want more than to have this situation resolve, but we need your help

In Christ,
Concerned Faculty and Students of HC/HC

CC: Bishop Demetrios of Mokkisos
Bishop Andonios of Phasiane
Metropolitan Methodios of Boston
Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit
Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh