Greek Americans need to unite with the mother church and change course from our divisive ways which have destroyed our progress in the past (Mid-Atlantic)

I do wish to see some autonomy for the American Orthodox church. (New England)

Constantinople is out of touch with the issues confronting Orthodoxy in America. (South)

The Diocese is under tremendous need of recalling to Orthodox theology and practice, and the Archdiocese has refused to do this repeatedly. (West Coast)

We are much more sophisticated and knowledgeable about our flocks in the Americas than the Phenar. (New England)

Don't re-invent the wheel, come, join with the rightful heir to North American Orthodoxy, the OCA. (Mid-Atlantic)

The GOA and the Antiochian Archdiocese (of which I am a member) should move to the status of an Autonomous Church within their respective Patriarchates. (West Coast)

The church, especially here in Nebraska, must become much more open to interfaith marriages. Failing to do so will lead to obsolescence of the church eventually. (Midwest)

"Stronger role for the Patriarch" is a little misleading; rather a stronger role for the Patriarchate (which was not an option in the survey) is what, in my opinion, is needed for the Archdiocese to remain Orthodox! (New England)

The title of the Patriarch is "Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople" and not "Patriarch in Istanbul," which is derogatory and is used by the Turkish authorities in a diminutive way. (Location Not Given)

Although Hellenism is identified with Orthodoxy, unfortunately the church in US has placed its own interests before Hellenism. (Mid-Atlantic)

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Four rounds of negotiations between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople have concluded with both sides releasing a joint statement announcing "agreement...on all points." But the agreement throws out or waters down key measures proposed by the GOA, which was seeking more autonomy.

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The Ecumenical Patriarchate and a committee representing the Archdiocese of America have announced an agreement concerning the American church's new Charter.

Respondents to a survey conducted by Hellenic Communication Service voiced a range of opinions concerning the future of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. Below are some of the comments
submitted to HCS. The survey ran in the summer and fall of 2001. See also: Survey Results Indicate Support for Reform, Dissatisfaction with Process

Mid-Atlantic, Male: Greek Americans need to unite with the mother church and change course from our divisive ways which have destroyed our progress in the past.

New England, Female: I did not answer the first question as it is difficult to give an outright NO. I do wish to see some autonomy for the American Orthodox church.

South, Female: Constantinople is out of touch with the issues confronting Orthodoxy in America. We could be a more vibrant force if we can respond to issues immediately instead of waiting for the Mother Church to make decisions which in actuality never seem to be made.

West Coast, Male: As a member of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in America, I am part of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, too. The Diocese is under tremendous need of recalling to Orthodox theology and practice, and the Archdiocese has refused to do this repeatedly. To see public members of the Archdiocese advocate abortion and publicly proclaim themselves Freemasions makes me aghast. If the Greek Archdiocese were to become autonomous, I feel that we Carpathian Orthodox should leave the Greek Archdiocese, so that we can preserve our Orthodoxy.

New England, Male: We are much more sophisticated and knowledgeable about our flocks in the Americas than the Phenar. We would be the largest autocephalous church. Turkey is one of the smallest.

Mid-Atlantic, Female: Join with the ALREADY AUTOCEPHALOUS Orthodox Church in America; don't re-invent the wheel, come, join with the rightful heir to North American Orthodoxy, the OCA.

West Coast, Male: Based upon the fact that we have so many different patriarchates represented in the USA and based upon the fact that the OCA already has autocephaly (although it hasn't done anything to unify Orthodoxy in the USA), I believe that the GOA and the Antiochian Archdiocese (of which I am a member) should move to the status of an Autonomous Church within their respective Patriarchates. This status recognizes both the administrative independence of the archdiocese's from their Patriarchate (which is a practical reality based upon our size, or geographic separation from the "mother church" and our ability to sustain ourselves) AND the fact that there are several jurisdictions here in America and it would not make sense to have five Autocephalous churches in the USA (not to mention the canonical issues).

Midwest, Male: The church, especially here in Nebraska, must become much more open to interfaith marriages. Failing to do so will lead to obsolescence of the church eventually.

New England, Male: "Stronger role for the Patriarch" is a little misleading; rather a stronger role for the Patriarchate (which was not an option in the survey) is what, in my opinion, is needed for the Archdiocese to remain Orthodox!

Location Not Given, Male: I would like to note that the title of the Patriarch is "Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople" and not "Patriarch in Istanbul," which is derogatory and is used by the Turkish authorities in a diminutive way. Greeks should use the Greek title and Americans (especially Greek-Americans) should also use his official title. Additionally, I should point out (as I already wrote when I first took the survey) that the Orthodox form of ecclesiastical organization is "synodical," not papal, therefore, it is the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate as a whole and not a single person, be it the Patriarch or anybody else, with which the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has a relation.

Mid-Atlantic, Male: I hail your initiative in providing the means for voicing our opinions on this important issue, while providing a stimulus for a more active involvement in matters concerning the Hellenic community in US. I hope you will find it equally important to sensitize the omoyeneia to more serious matters, such as the bleak future of the survival of our language in this country. Although Hellenism is identified with Orthodoxy, unfortunately the church in US has placed its own interests before Hellenism.

More Survey Results