Greek Orthodox Church Officials Probe Cash Stash
24/11/2010
BY LIZ GOFF
Parishioners at St. Irene’s Church and Ministry in Astoria last week remained steadfast in their support of the former church abbot who left behind a bag containing $260,000 in cash and 100 gold coins when he was summoned to Greece earlier this month, to meet with the head of the Orthodox Church.
Metropolitan Paisios Loulourgas, the abbot of St. Irene’s for more than 30 years, was suddenly summoned to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, parishioners said.
When Loulourgas left for Greece, he handed a bag to a church nun and told her to safeguard it, police sources said. But the abbot didn’t tell Sister Christonymphi Fitzpatrick about the bag’s contents.
The nun waited several days before she opened the bag and discovered the cash and coins, police sources said. “She completely panicked,” the sources said.
On November 6, the nun brought the bag to the 114th Precinct where police vouchered and stored the bag for safekeeping.
Law enforcement sources told the Gazette that investigators do not suspect the abbot of any criminal wrongdoing, but the Greek Orthodox Church is investigating to determine the source of the cash.
The National Herald, a Greek-American newspaper, reported that a three-person delegation arrived in Astoria recently to conduct a probe, and that the abbot is meeting with church officials in Greece to discuss the situation, the sources said.
Upon their arrival in Astoria, the delegation ordered the living quarters of Loulourgas, Fitzpatrick and Deputy Abbot Bishop Vikintios sealed, the National Herald said.
The abbot has reportedly left St. Irene’s due to poor health, law enforcement sources said.
Parishioners gathered outside the church last week expressed shock and concern for the well being of the abbot.
“He is such a good man,” one parishioner said. “I’ve known him for more than 27 years ever since I came to this country,” the man said. “That cash was donated to build a new monastery,” the man said. “He was holding it for the monastery.”
A female parishioner stood weeping, declaring her belief that the abbot “is an honest man.”
“He is truly a messenger of God,” the woman cried. “This will be cleared up.”
Officials at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese did not return calls for comment.
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