Brotherly Love

During the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and just before we proclaim the Orthodox Creed the priest calls us to 'Love one another so that in one voice we may confess'. If there are two co-celebrant priests, they each kiss each other's front right shoulder, then each other's right hand and proclaim "Christ is in our midst. He is, was and always shall be!"

This is an ancient and beautiful custom, and Fr. Nick was keen to rekindle its observance among the St. Athanasius faithful! As awkward as it felt at the beginning, this physical act, and verbal exchange of Christ's presence, became a favorite point in the Divine Liturgy for all, young and old, parishioners and visitors. We learned to turn to our neighbors in the pews, hug, kiss, repeat the same words, and then proceed to recite the 'Symbol of our Faith'.

Last Sunday, I found myself in another Greek Orthodox community, and as the point for the custom approached, came, and went without anyone participating, I felt tears welling up. Tears for our St. Athanasius community that is hurting under the unbearable weight of the loss of our beloved Fr. Nick, and tears for the betrayal that we've witnessed.

If this was not the middle of August, I would say the story was taken directly from the Holy Week gospels. A story where the high priests and pharisees pass judgement on an innocent, while close co-workers betray him or pretend not to know him.

A story where the religious leaders are looking for false witnesses and accusations and some are found!

Later in the same afternoon, I witnessed a despicable scene, where the priest that the Metropolis sent to replace Fr. Nick for the Sunday Liturgy, spoke about his brother priest in a very accusatory and thoughtless manner. Somebody in the small group of St. Athanasius parishioners at coffee hour even thought that it was a good idea to stream these remarks live on Facebook!

The words of this priest not only insulted the character of Fr. Nicholas Kastanas, but also the intelligence of anyone that was even peripherally familiar with what has been happening in the community over the last several years. Now, this was not an inexperienced priest, but one that boasted he had been a priest for 40 years and came out of retirement, (leaving behind his tomato garden) because he felt it was his calling to save the St. Athanasius parish, and 'make it a jewel in the crown of the Metropolis' !

I was left to wonder whether this priest was ever a co-celebrant with Fr. Nick, and had he ever exchanged the embrace and message of Christ's presence with him. Because if he had, he should have also known how hypocritical those actions seemed now in the light of the words and accusations that he spoke about his brother priest.

If the St. Athanasius parish is to heal its wounds, and move away from the destructive spiral it was thrown in from the actions of Metropolitan Methodios, it needs to return to the basic principles of truth, love, justice and reconciliation that are at the heart of Christ's message.

The mudslinging, innuendos and betrayal of a parish priest and a community of faithful stewards must stop now. The Metropolitan has to accept responsibility for his actions, in as much as he accused Fr. Nick creating 'turmoil' and 'severely damaging the spiritual environment of the Community'.

Doesn't he not see that his actions and inaction are the main drivers for the turmoil and spiritual damage. If Fr. Nick was responsible for one parish, is he not responsible for 62 in the Metropolis of Boston? Is he not responsible for creating a Christian spiritual environment where his brother priests can minister to us laity with love, compassion, forgiveness, and NOT fear?

Isn't this the best environment for sharing Christ's message? For "Christ is in our midst. He is, was and always shall be!"