GOARCH Priest Fired for Alleged Misuse of Funds

Photo: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - Buffalo, NY Facebook

BUFFALO, NY — According to WGRZ, the local NBC station in Buffalo, N.Y., Fr. Christos Christakis of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church has been fired following an investigation by the parish into his alleged misuse of church funds for personal use.

The news station obtained letters from a lawyer for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and members of the parish in which Christakis admitted to the misuse of $365,000 in funds.

The letter states that the money was “intended to be used… as a discretionary fund to provide financial assistance to individuals in need who sought his help.”

In a statement on June 4, the archdiocese said in a statement to WGRZ that, following a “thorough internal investigation,” it was determined that Christakis had misused funds from a parish discretionary account “over the course of several years.”

The archdiocese also said that Christakis “cooperated fully with the investigation, admitted his misconduct, and has expressed deep remorse,” as well as making restitution in the amount of the approximate $365,000 that was misused.

George A. Tsourakis, general counsel for the archdiocese, said in a May 5 email to parishioners that Christakis’ spouse had significant medical issues, which were described as “an understandable struggle… but one that he acknowledges does not excuse his conduct.”

Tsourakis also said in a letter reported on by WGRZ that the Buffalo Police Department (BPD) had decided not to pursue criminal charges and had declined to investigate the matter further.

However, in an email to the news station, Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright said that BPD “provided options to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church”” following the investigation, and that the department is “fully willing to file criminal charges if the Church would agree to be a complainant in the case.”

As of this time, the parish has opted not to.

A spokesperson for Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane also said that the DA’s office “will proceed accordingly” if there is a cooperative complainant and a viable criminal charge.

Athena Tsembelis, former parish council president and Greek Festival leader at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, told WGRZ that she hopes the archdiocese turns over the evidence, and that if it doesn’t, the parish has documents it can prepare to provide the district attorney with necessary information.

As the parish’s Greek Festival is this weekend, Tsembelis also said that organizers are focused on the task at hand and will make decisions on the future at the parish general assembly on June 22.

Christakis was ordained to the priesthood in 1996 and has served multiple parishes. This past fall, he taught a class at Hellenic College Holy Cross titled “Anglicans and Orthodox in Dialogue.”

For the full television spot on the matter, visit here. 

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