An Open Letter From His Grace, Bishop Christodoulos

[尼古拉前执事]

Dear Revered Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, and esteemed members of the laity, and all those concerned,

I am making this statement for your information and to clarify what I know about the veracity of accusations made against my person and published on an unfortunate gossip blog. These accusations have been published on the blog in question by an individual whom I have never met. As to why this individual has decided to participate in publishing this gossip I cannot say. I will leave it up to him to explain himself. I have never met the blog publisher. I do pray for the salvation of his soul.

The following points need to be stated for the record: I was born in 1959. I was baptized as an infant by triple immersion in the New Calendar Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. The location was St. Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, PA.

I never participated in, nor have I ever had anything to do with pornographic films, x-rated films, or "adult" films, what-so-ever.

I am a graduate of New York University's Film School (1981). After I graduated from NYU I found employment working on low budget horror movies and comedy films in the New York area until shortly before I became a novice in 1990. I contributed to the scripts for some of these films. I worked as a film editor on some of these films. I directed one of these films. All of these films were rated R.

As for my past career, I make no excuses for these films. I have never hidden the fact that I made them. My life was, and always will be an open book. My Geronda, and all the people who knew me, including many people at the Cathedral of St. Markella knew of my previous career even while I was still involved in it. When I became a monk some of my film colleagues were present for my tonsure and later for my ordinations to the deaconate and the priesthood. Three of these colleagues converted to Orthodoxy and were baptized after their exposure to the Faith through their close contact and friendship with me, a friendship which was established during our misspent youth in the movie industry. A fourth colleague returned to the fullness of the Faith and even married an actress from one of the films. The actress was baptized at the Cathedral of St. Markella. Not a one of these former colleagues is a member of a church that follows the New /Gregorian Calendar. Several of them attend the Cathedral of St. Markella. They all remain Orthodox and my close and dear friends.

I have repented of my previous life. I have spent much of my ministry in a struggle to lead the youth I have within my influence away from a career in the film industry, and away from being enamored with all things Hollywood. I speak to these young people with the authority of one who has "been there, and done that," and knows from experience the spiritual perils of life in the entertainment industry. Please feel free to write me for further clarification. I have never been reluctant to talk about this part of my life, if it would be edifying to the listener.

Christ be with you,
+Bishop Christodoulos

[Evfimy]

Is it not a canonical infraction to speak against a bishop? The bishop is in the place of Christ. To critisize a bishop, is to critisize Christ. People seem to forget the fact that we will all give account for every word we speak. Silence is the mystery of the future age. I am tired and disgusted with all the hate, anger, malice, gossip and slander coming from people who claim to be Christians. Our Lord Jesus Christ was slandered. We should expect no better treatement. "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (Christ).