Arlington Protest Continues In Rain After Abrupt Ouster Of Father Nick

ARLINGTON, MA— Despite the thunder, lightening and rain, the fight continues for a number of confused and angry parishioners and supporters of Father Nick less than a week after he was abruptly told he was to step down from serving at the church he'd served for nearly three decades.

At least 200 supporters attended a candlelight vigil at St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church on Appleton Street Wednesday night holding signs and candles with a message.

"We still haven't gotten word as to why he got fired. We just want to know why. They keep saying there was turmoil in the church and there wasn't," Corina Kapetanakis who helped organize the vigil outside the church told Patch ahead of the vigil. "If anything there's turmoil made between certain council members and the Metropolis not wanting him."

(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Arlington Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

But, Kapetanakis said, she wasn't sure why that was and didn't want to speculate. "So we support him we want him back and we want to know why," she said.

That was pretty much the message from the group of rain coat clad, umbrella wearing protesters who sometimes broke into short chants of "Bring back Father Nick," or "Axios," as speakers took turns sharing stories about what the priest meant to them and their family and their spiritual journey on the steps of the church.

The group is hoping that someone from the local governing body of Greek Orthodox churches (the Metropolis based in Brookline) will take note. "More than just the vague letter that was sent," said Kapetanakis.

Late last week parishioners learned - some by email, some by word of mouth - that Kastanas was to give his last sermon that Sunday. In response, they packed the church, sent out an online petition, raised money and took to social media in frustration.

The Metropolis in the area made the announcement in an email that was posted to the church's website that weekend indicating it had to do with some turmoil in the church. But Kapetanakis said the term "turmoil" doesn't seem to fit her experience with Father Nick.

"He's helped a lot of families. When my dad was in the hospital he stood by him day and night. He's that kind of man. And he's probably done it for hundreds of other families," said the Medford resident who has known him most of her life.

Eleanor Profis is one of those parishioners who said she can't imagine the church with another priest. She took the mic for a moment Wednesday night. "He truly exemplifies love," she said.

"He's totally selfless. He gives to the needy, he is really the most kind, loving, charitable person you will meet in your life," she said.

When her husband passed away a number of years back, she said Father Nick was there before the ambulance arrived.

"I don't know what I would do without him," she said tearing up.

The group of parishioners who support him, say they've called and emailed the Metropolis, but have not received any response. Part of that, could be because most of them are in Greece for the summer, say some, but there is a chancellor manning the Brookline office currently they said. Organizers encouraged the vigil-goers to email and call and make their concerns known.

"Our next plan would probably be to go to the Metropolis itself," she said. "We love Father Nick and our main goal is to have him back."

RELATED STORY: Hundreds Pack Church In Protest

Patch was there: Check out the Facebook Live video of the vigil:

Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff