By Robert Herschbach, Editor, Hellenic Communication Service
Christos and Mary Papoutsy, Founders and Publishers

Do you want to see the GOA change its status to become autocephalous, diminishing its ties with the Ecumenical Patriarch? No: 51% Yes: 49% Are you satisfied with the way that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA) has handled the process? No: 75% Yes: 25% Are you in favor of maintaining the same structure and relationship that we now have between the GOA and the Patriarch? No: 75% Yes: 25% What kind of relationship are you in favor of? More autonomy: 35% Change to autocephalous status: 28%  No change: 13% Stronger role for Patriarch: 16% Some other relationship: 8%

Results from a survey hosted by Hellenic Communication Service concerning the future path of the Greek Orthodox Church in America indicate support for a change in the relationship between the GOA and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. But they also suggest that people are split over what specific kind of reform is needed, and the option of autocephaly, or administrative self-governance independent of the Patriarchate, is not strongly favored.

The survey asked a number of questions about how the church is governed: whether or not it should be autocephalous, should have more autonomy, have a stronger role for the Patriarch, or be structured in some other way.

When asked whether the Church should or should not change its status and become autocephalous, respondents were divided, with a slightly greater number (51%) indicating they do not want autocephaly.

But when given more options, a decisive majority expressed a desire for some type of change. 35% of respondents would like to see more autonomy, while 28% indicated support for autocephaly. 8% said that they want "some other relationship." 16% of respondents favored strengthening the role of the Patriarch, while 13% said they prefer no change at all.

Asked if they are in favor of "maintaining the same structure and relationship that now exists between the GOA and the Patriarchate," 65% said no.

The numbers suggest that when greater autonomy is an option, support for autocephaly diminishes. Overall, the majority appears to favor a moderate course, remaining wary of autocephaly, but encouraging greater autonomy.

When it comes to the way the GOA has handled the Charter process, however, the results are more dramatic. A full three quarters of survey respondents said they were dissatisfied with the process.

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Survey Procedure: The survey form itself was U.S. postal mailed to all of the Churches, to Dioceses, and thousands of Greek Orthodox Parishioners in the United States. In addition, several thousand surveys were emailed to interested Greek Orthodox faithful throughout the country. The most effective means for reaching respondents, however, proved to be through an online, interactive survey posted on the Hellenic Communication Service website at http://www.HellenicComServe.com from May until early October of 2001. The survey appeared in conjunction with a number of articles dealing with the charter negotiations, enhancing interest in online participation.

Approximately 80% of responses came through the online questionnaire. In addition to the thousands of answers that were submitted, a significant number of the survey-takers also wrote thoughtful, articulate comments, many of which are available for viewing on the website. Hellenic Communication Service staff took reasonable

Have comments on the survey?   Submit them here, or mail them to HellenicComServe@aol.com.  Results may be posted if you so indicate. We welcome your feedback!

precautions to guard against duplicate submissions of the online survey by individuals by examining the raw databank entries logged by the web hosts and discounting answers from duplicate sources.
Hellenic Communication Service wishes to thank all those who answered the GOA survey and to those who also submitted comments. The publishers hope and pray that this information gained from concerned viewers will be helpful to all of the leaders and members of the Greek Orthodox Church of America as we move forward in a spirit of love and mutual respect.