Here is an email recently received from Fr. Panagiotes Carras' email group.
The Makarian Synod of Greece is no stranger to bizarre events but the recent actions of this dysfunctional group shows just how far they are willing to go to further their ambitions.
This “Synod” was formed in 1995 by a rebellious faction of six bishops formed within the Synod of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece, under Archbishop Chrysostomos. They formed their own “Synod” just before their leader Metropolitan Euthymios (Orphanos) of Thessaloniki was about to be defrocked because of moral infractions.
The six Hierarchs who left the Synod were Euthymios of Thessaloniki, Kallinikos of Lamia, Stefanos of Chios, Ioustinos of Evripos, Vikentios of Avlona and Paisios of America. The group was commonly known as the Lamian Synod .
These six hierarchs were defrocked on July 12/25, 1995 because of their schism from the Holy Synod. Euthymios of Thessaloniki was found guilty of immoral acts on 13/26 July, 1995 and was ordered to be confined to the Monastery of St. Iakovos, the Brother of the Lord and not to receive Holy Communion for 15 years.
By early 1996, the movement had fragmented into three groups. The first group, Stefanos of Chios and Ioustinos of Evripos, repented their schismatic actions and were reconciled with the Holy Synod of Archbishop Chrysostomos. The second group, Paisios of America and Vikentios of Avlona, renounced the Faith and submitted to the Ecumenical Patiarchate. Later they became fugitives from American justice. The third group was made up of Euthymios of Thessaloniki, and Kallinikos of Lamia.
In 1996, Kallinikos of Lamia and Euthymios of Thessaloniki proceeded to ordain five titular bishops in an attempt to create a new synod. In 2004, this “synod” finally decided to elect a primate, and elected Makarios (Kavakides) of Athens. A good deal of their membership was then lost, as many realized what really motivated the schism and returned to the Holy Synod of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece.
Many of the newly ordained hierarchs realized the true nature of the Makarian Synod and abandoned them. As of last month there were only three bishops left.
Old Synod
In an act of desperation these three bishops elected eight new hierarchs and ordained them in the space of twelve days.
New Synod
Two HOCNA/Boston bishops took part in these ordinations and once more showed their contempt for Church order.
Please see this thread for the history of the HOCNA and Makarian Synod union.
http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/vi ... 12&t=10064