Arlington's Greek Orthodox Priest Removed, Community Protests

ARLINGTON, MA — Sunday morning, Arlington's Greek Orthodox Church was packed with protesters for Father Nicholas Kastanas' last sermon. "Father Nick," as he's called by his parishioners at Saint Athanasius The Great, was told he would no longer be leading the church he'd led for nearly 30 years and hundreds of parishioners packed the pews in protest, some holding signs.

Hours after one church goer heard the news that Kastanas was told to step down because of "turmoil" in the church, he took to an online petition in an effort to save Kastanas from being reassigned. Nearly 800 people commented on the petition from places close to Arlington and even former parishioners who said they still held Kastanas close.

The removal of Kastanas seems to have left his parishioners confused and angry. Many taking to social media to continue the protest.

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The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, based in Brookline sent an email posted to the church's website that explained the move without going into much detail.

“For the past few years, the Saint Athanasius Parish has been in a state of turmoil as a result of issues revolving, in large part, around the person of Fr. Kastanas,” reads a letter posted to the parish's website.

“The spiritual environment in the Community has been severely damaged by behavior that is wholly contrary to Christian values, which has resulted in, among other things, the distribution of hurtful and destructive communications throughout the Community,” the letter said, going on to acknowledge it was "not totally Fr. Kastanas' fault."

Supporters of Kastanas took to social media asking for him to be reinstating, and many blaming church politics.

"For 30 years, Father Nick has brought joy and faith to the Greek metropolis in Arlington, and then has been suddenly released with no hope of being reassigned," said Zach Orfanos who created the petition in iPetition on Friday in the hopes of changing the mind of the church officials who reassigned Kastanas.
As of Monday morning the petition had nearly 2,000 signatures and comments from folks near and far showing support of Kastanas. Ioannis Moutsatsos created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Kastanas.
"We want to provide a safety fund for him and his family in these hours, days and months of tribulation. He has recognizably touched countless lives with Christian faith, kindness, pastoral love and care. Now its our turn!" said Moutsatsos on the fundraising page, that had raised nearly $20,000 in two days.

Kastanas took the opportunity at his last address to tell the congregation, once they quieted down, to be peacemakers.

"It's important to be passionate but peaceful... everything works out for the glory of God. One door closes another one will open," he said.

He told those gathered he was grateful for much during his tenure. When he mentioned he was grateful for Metropolis, the congregants booed to which he reprimanded them. "That's not nice and that's not fair," he told them.

Moutsatsos posted a YouTube video of the congregation at his final address, it shows the crowd cheering him, a number of them tearing up:

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See the iPetition here.

See the GoFundMe page here.

Image screen shot of Father Nic courtesy YouTube.