Metropolitan Pavlos of GOC Undergoing Speech and Physical Therapy - The National Herald
Volume 8 Number 34 - Sunday, May 21, 2006 Posted: May 19, 2006
By Stavros Marmarinos
Special to The National Herald
NEW YORK - Metropolitan Pavlos of the Holy Metropolis of the Genuine Greek Orthodox Church of America, based at St. Markella's Cathedral in Astoria, emerged from his coma during Holy Week, and has partially recovered from a severe stroke he suffered at the very end of February.
Bishop Christodoulos of Theoupolis, the Metropolitan's assistant, told the National Herald that Pavlos is now off life support; able to speak a little; to stay seated in a chair; and is currently undergoing both speech and physical therapy at Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation is Woodbury, Long Island.
Pavlos is still partially incapacitated physically, Christodoulos added, but stressed that the recovery is nothing short of miraculous.
“Because we didn't want to alarm the community any further - I'm sure you can appreciate that it was a very stressful time for all of us - we weren't saying anything in the early weeks. But the doctors were telling us that, due to the severity of the stroke, the likelihood of His Eminence recovering was very slim, and that if he came out of his coma, neither his memory nor his personality would be intact. But he woke up just before Easter, and he recognized me, and his personality and memory seem to be intact,” Christodoulos said.
“His right side is immobile, but he is undergoing both speech and physical therapy at the rehab center right now. It's going to take time, of course, but he's forming short phrases, and just the fact that he's in rehab is truly remarkable, so we're hopeful,” Christodoulos added.
Christodoulos was on his way to visit Pavlos at the rehabilitation center this past Monday, to which he was transferred from Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan shortly after he came out of his coma.
Pavlos has not relinquished his metropolitical throne, the Bishop explained, but because he is physically unable to perform his ministerial duties presently, Chrysostomos, the GOC's Archbishop in Athens, Greece is now serving as locum tenens (acting metropolitan) for the GOC in America, an old calendarist community which is not in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
“My duties haven't changed. I'm still the assistant bishop, except for the time being, I'm taking my orders from Archbishop Chrysostomos instead of Metropolitan Pavlos,” Christodoulos said.
A few days ago, the ailing Pavlos was able to listen to a phone call placed by Chrysostomos, who called him from Athens to wish him a speedy recovery.
“It is a miracle,” said St. Markella Cathedral Director Elias Katsaris. “He understands everything,” added Cathedral President Isidore Spanos, who said he has been making regular visits to Cold Spring Hills, although he conceded that Pavlos is frustrated by his current physical limitations.
“He has a hard time physically answering, so some people think he doesn't understand them, but he understands everything,” Mr. Spanos said. “When we're alone, we communicate. He answers back; he nods; and his facial expressions are just like they always were. But when tries to speak a little, he gets tired and tongue-tied. He seems to get upset because of that. He is aware of his condition.”
Dr. Michael Yunakov, a practicing dermatologist in Long Island and one of Pavlos' spiritual children, confirmed the news that the Metropolitan's health is improving.
“In the past few days, his doctors told me, he has improved significantly, and I can tell you that, every day that goes by and I see him, he seems to be getting better and better,” said Dr. Yunakov, who is in regular communication with Pavlos' physicians.
“He has is completely awake and alert. His personality is there. He understands when he is spoken to 100 percent, and he can respond with simple answers like 'yes' or 'no.' ” “He is trying to speak more, though he is understandably having a hard time right now. But his doctors are giving us hope that, in time, his speech will improve. He is currently undergoing physical and speech therapy, and with God's help, he will get even better,” Dr. Yunakov added.
In the past few days, as news of Pavlos' improved condition started circulating within the community, family and friends visited him, Dr. Yunakov said, but the rehabilitation center plans to curb visitation.
Faithful interested in learning more about the Metropolitan's condition have inundated the St. Markella's with phone calls.
“We want to thank the people for their support and collaboration,” Mr. Spanos said. “Our church is steadily continuing its mission. I hope our prayers will be heard. Everyone wishes for his health to improve. In Jerusalem, the Holy Sepulcher, the Holy Mountain (Mount Athos), and in all the churches and monasteries in Greece, people's prayers have been heard.”
Upon suffering his stroke on February 28, Pavlos, 50, was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens and then, a few hours later, to Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. That evening he had plans to go to the GOC's monastery in Woodstock, New York. About 6 PM, he told his chancellor, Father Nifonas, and another priest, Father Nektarios, that he wasn't feeling well and was experiencing a severe headache. Pavlos, who also suffered from diabetes, sat down in his sofa, and felt his entire right side go numb. An ambulance arrived shortly afterwards, followed by a police car. A stroke was soon diagnosed, as the metropolitan slipped into a coma.
The GOC's synod in Greece sent Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Attica to serve its Metropolis in America during the Lenten season through Bright Monday (the day after Pascha), Christodoulos said, and may possibly send other hierarchs to assist in Pentecostal celebrations and for other major feast days. The GOC presently has eight parishes and three monasteries in North America, the Bishop added.
