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Parish Council Members

PresidentDimitrios TsagarisP: 801-554-1951dimitrios.tsagaris@gmail.com

First Vice PresidentPhilip KithasP: 801-718-5854philipkithas@comcast.net

Second Vice PresidentTykie SkedrosP: 801-860-2020tsked@aol.com

TreasurerGus ColessidesP: 713-859-0369gus@rllinsure.com

Assistant Treasurer

Chris Sakellariou P: 801-699-5072csakellariou@hotmail.com

SecretaryAlicia MaresP: 801-673-3340aliciakmares@gmail.com

Corresponding SecretaryMaria Hardwick-OneidaP: 801-580-6215mariaoneida@comcast.net

George Adondakis P: 801-530-5131gadondakis@nicholasandco.com

Steve Gamvroulas P:801-580-6900sgamvroulas@gmail.com

John Mastakas P:801-916-9488

john@usemetro.com

Thomas Peters P:801-209-9145twp@psplawyers.com

Sakis Sakellariou P:801-733-5030

jsiouris@hotmail.com

Pete SaltasP: 801-573-1827pete.saltas@gmail.com

Pete SefakisP: 801-390-3587pns@yahoo.com

August 1, 2013

Your Parish Council has made decisions to avert financial insolvency.

We initially attempted to bring this to the communitys attention

earlier this year by noticing a Special Parish Assembly, however asyou may recall that Special Parish Assembly was ruled out of order

by his Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah.

We have repeatedly communicated the communitys dire financial

situation to you with a plea for increased stewardship and continued

donations. The community is out of money. The Parish Council has

cut expenses over the last year and was faced with having to further

cut expenses through the only avenue available. His Eminence was

consulted and asked for assistance as well as fatherly guidance. We

did not receive any response from him to our requests.

Please find attached the Parish Councils July 25, 2013 letter to his

Eminence. The Parish Council did not receive any response to that

letter. Instead, his Eminence sent a letter dated July 31, 2013 in

response to the action we communicated to the community on July

30, 2013. Additionally, you will find one of our prior letters dated

June 26, 2013 that was sent to the community requesting an

increase in stewardship. Please note that all three clergy have been

prepaid through August 15, 2013, albeit at the reduced rate.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and made findings regardingactivity in the Prophet Elias and Holy Trinitys benevolent funds. The

Parish Council has reviewed these findings and certain issues of

concern have been forwarded to his Eminence and the

Archdioceses legal committee for additional review and guidance.

In addition to potential violations of the UPRs, the Parish may be

subject to significant tax liabilities and penalties associated with

these accounts.

We are again asking you to increase your stewardship or make a

stewardship commitment. A special Parish Assembly will be

forthcoming to discuss the financial situation of our community and

possible solutions. The 2013 financial packet from the spring Parish

Assembly and current financial information is also available for your

review at the church office.

During this trying time, the Churches will remain open for personal

worship and all facilities are available for parishioner use and

activities.

In His Name and Service,

Your Parish Council

mailto:dimitrios.tsagaris@gmail.commailto:philipkithas@comcast.netmailto:philipkithas@comcast.netmailto:tsked@aol.commailto:tsked@aol.commailto:gus@rllinsure.commailto:gus@rllinsure.commailto:csakellariou@hotmail.commailto:csakellariou@hotmail.commailto:ou@hotmail.commailto:aliciakmares@gmail.commailto:aliciakmares@gmail.commailto:es@gmail.commailto:mariaoneida@comcast.netmailto:mariaoneida@comcast.netmailto:gadondakis@nicholasandco.commailto:gadondakis@nicholasandco.commailto:sgamvroulas@gmail.commailto:sgamvroulas@gmail.commailto:john@usemetro.commailto:john@usemetro.commailto:twp@psplawyers.commailto:twp@psplawyers.commailto:jsiouris@hotmail.commailto:jsiouris@hotmail.commailto:pete.saltas@gmail.commailto:pete.saltas@gmail.commailto:pns@yahoo.commailto:pns@yahoo.commailto:pns@yahoo.commailto:pns@yahoo.commailto:pete.saltas@gmail.commailto:pete.saltas@gmail.commailto:jsiouris@hotmail.commailto:jsiouris@hotmail.commailto:twp@psplawyers.commailto:twp@psplawyers.commailto:john@usemetro.commailto:john@usemetro.commailto:sgamvroulas@gmail.commailto:sgamvroulas@gmail.commailto:gadondakis@nicholasandco.commailto:gadondakis@nicholasandco.commailto:mariaoneida@comcast.netmailto:mariaoneida@comcast.netmailto:es@gmail.commailto:aliciakmares@gmail.commailto:aliciakmares@gmail.commailto:ou@hotmail.commailto:csakellariou@hotmail.commailto:csakellariou@hotmail.commailto:gus@rllinsure.commailto:gus@rllinsure.commailto:tsked@aol.commailto:tsked@aol.commailto:philipkithas@comcast.netmailto:philipkithas@comcast.netmailto:dimitrios.tsagaris@gmail.com

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GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH oF GREATER SALT LAKEHoly Trinity Cathedral279 South 300 We&1, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101Telephone: {801) 328-9681 Fax: {801) 328-9688f. IETROPOUS Fr. Matthew Gilbert- Proistamenos

O F D EN ER \Veb: -.,,rww.gocslc.org

His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of DenverGreek Orthodox Metropolis ofDenver4550 East Alameda Ave.Denver, CO 80246Your Eminence:

Prophet Elias Church5335 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117Telephone: (801) 277-2693 Fax: (801) 424-1296Fr. Michael Komemetis - Proistrunenos

July 25, 2013VIA FAX AND EXPRESS MAIL DELIVERY

Thank you for coming to Salt Lake City to bless us with your pastoral visit. As was evident from theweekend meetings, we face many difficult issues. During our meeting with you, we indicated an issuerequiring your immediate attention and guidance is our impending inability to meet the priests' salaryobligations at the end of this month (July, 2013).

As you know, we have been concerned about the parish's ability to financially sustain three priests beinpaid at the Archdiocesan salary scale. Our parish has been experiencing a $150,000 yearly deficit for the lastfive to seven years. We have used funds from our annual festival as well as depleting accounts for maintenanceand repairs of our facilities in order to meet the Parish Priests' salary obligations. These drastic actions weretaken all while having paid nothing in 2011 for the Parish's obligation to the Archdiocese, resulting in a$100,000 write down and a $37,095 carry over to 2012. When the total outstanding obligation is summed, thisParish will need to pay $118,028 in order to be current through the end of July, 2013. While some may suggesyou defer the amounts we cannot pay now until after the festival, that option simply ignores the fact that weneed the festival funds to get current on the Parish's Archdiocesan obligation. Thus, the Parish must face thisissue now with an immediate decision.

This Parish is faced with a real financial crisis. The Parish Council has sought many different optionsand plans to increase stewardship commitment and giving but these efforts have not substantially increased theamount collected for stewardship. The Parish Council cannot borrow money without consent of the ParishAssembly, and we doubt the Parish Assembly would provide that authority. This Parish cannot continue todefer maintenance of its Churches and facilities. As you witnessed during our tour of the Holy Trinity andProphet Elias campuses, the physical structures are dilapidated needing immediate attention and there are areasof the buildings that are becoming potentially dangerous to our parishioners. Earlier this year, when weattempted to submit the issue of reducing the number ofpriests assigned to the Parish, you ruled our properlynoticed Special Assembly "out of order." The Parish is out ofoptions at this point in time. The Parish cannotmake payroll at the end of July, 2013. We are unable to eliminate employees since each remaining employee isessential to our continued operations as we have already cut staff to the bare minimum. Even if the ParishCouncil were to eliminate all employees, it will still not be enough to fix the financial crises we face. Ourpriests cannot run the accounting, physical plant, maintenance and operations of the Parish by themselves. Theonly area of expenses that can be reduced, thereby allowing this Parish to continue to function is to immediatelyeliminate one priest position. In the alternative of eliminating a priest position, the equivalent financial relief isto reduce all three (3) Priest' s compensation by a minimum of one-third on a permanent basis continuingforward. Such a reduction in salaries will help eliminate the Parish's $150,000 annual financial deficit. Thisreduction still will not address many deferred maintenance issues however, it will at least help stop the Parish's

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continuing deficit against current expenses.Of the two options set forth above, it is the Parish Council 'strong preference that you immediatelytransfer or involuntarily retire Father Michael Kouremetis, since he is the only priest out of the three who iseligible to retire. On several occasions during the last year, through letters and in person discussions withparishioners and during your July 20th meeting with the Parish Council the message has been clear that it is timto transfer or retire Father Michael Kouremetis. We will not repeat the reasons we gave to you in our letters of

October 17, and October 30, 2012. Since those writings, we have discovered additional issues that have furtherdamaged our ability to work with him and, indeed have raised new concerns that his actions may violate theUPR's and could have exposed the Parish to significant tax liabilities and penalties. Our ability to trust andwork with Father Michael Kouremetis has been irrevocably broken.

You have expressed concerns that you do not have a parish for Father Michael to be reassigned. Whilewe recognize that it is difficult for many parishes to pay the Archdiocesan salary for senior priests, you haveclear authority to adjust a priest ' s salary to fit a par ish's ability to pay as detailed on the Archdiocesan ClergyCompensation Plan which contains the following:Notation: Exception to the Clergy Compensation Plan must be requested of and approved by theclergyman's Hierarch.The Charter also provides that a priest must not unreasonably refuse to accept reassignment. HolyTrinity and Prophet Elias churches can function quite well with one less priest. No services will be eliminatedand Fathers Matthew and Elias are capable of serving the Parish's needs during this difficult financial timeperiod. We also believe that Father Michael's transfer to another parish will ultimately revitalize the Parish. Inthe alternative, Father Michael is likely in a position to retire. If there is nowhere for him to be reassigned, the

option for retirement should be exercised.Your Eminence, we humbly request you act immediately as you are the appropriate authority to eithertransfer a priest or adjust their salaries. However, as was expressed to you unanimously by parish councilmembers in attendance at our July 20th meeting, ifwe do not have a solution from the Metropolis, we have no

choice but to take appropriate action for our Parish at our next meeting. The Parish Council is unable tomanufacture funds that do not exist, write lOU's or to issues checks where we know there are insufficient funds(bounce checks). Please accept this letter as our notice and request for action. We ask for your direction andguidance by Monday July 29, 2013 on what actions you will take to rectify this financial crisis. Ifyou areunable to provide this Parish relief, our plan is to debate and vote either to eliminate Father MichaelKouremetis' pay and/or position, while paying him for unused vacation time, or in the alternative topermanently reduce all priests' salary compensation by a minimum of one-third effective immediately. We seeno other alternatives or paths due to lack of available funds and the Parish's ability to pay.We humbly and anxiously await your response.

In His Name and ServiceD ~ l ' M ~ . \ - f ~ o ~ \ ~ ~ 0 ; : ,Dimitrios Tsagaris2013 Parish Council President

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GREEI(ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OFDENVER

Mr. Dimitrios Tsagaris, Parish Council PresidentThe Esteemed Parish Council MembersGreek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt LakeHoly Trinity Cathedral and Prophet Elias Parish279 South 300 WestSalt Lake City, UT 84101Beloved in Christ,

July 31, 2013

Pursuant to the motion voted on and approved by you the Parish Council atyour meeting on July 29, 2013 to reduce clergy salaries by 40%, I have no otherchoice but to direct your three assigned clergy to immediately suspend all priestlyministry to the parish.They are not to celebrate any Liturgy, Sacrament, or Service whatsoever,

effective this date until further notice. This includes the Sunday Liturgies,beginning this Sunday, August 4th, and all scheduled weddings and baptisms.Please inform me in writing at such time as you have put the financial affairs ofthe parish in order and, representing the General Assembly of parishioners in good

standing, you are able to resume compensating the clergy as required by theUniform Parish Regulations. Keep in mind that you must also pay them theamounts being withheld by you as of this date.

As soon as I receive your assurance that matters have returned to normal, I willbe very happy to have the clergy resume their priestly duties.

With Paternal Blessings,

tHih;rJ.*'- !zc,.J. { J > , _ v ~ffi Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver

4550 East Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO 80246-1208 Telephone: (303) 333-7794 Fax: (303) 333-7796web: www.denver.goarch.org e-mail: metropolis@denver.goarch.org

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Parish Council MembersPresidentDimitrios TsagarisP: 801-554-1951dimitrios.tsagaris@comcast.netFirst Vice PresidentPhilip KithasP: 801-718-5854philipkithas@comcast.netSecond Vice PresidentTykie SkedrosP: 801-860-2020tsked@aol.comTreasurerGus ColessidesP: 713-859-0369gus@rllinsure.comAssistant Treasurer

Chris SakellariouP: 801-699-5072csakellariou@hotmail.comSecretaryAlicia MaresP: 801-673-3340aliciakmares@gmail.comCorresponding SecretaryMaria Hardwick-OneidaP: 801-580-6215mariaoneida@comcast.net

George AdondakisP: 801-530-5131gadondakis@nicholasandco.com

Steve GamvroulasP: 801-580-6900sgamvroulas@gmail.com

John MastakasP: 801-916-9488john@usemetro.com

Thomas PetersP: 801-209-9145twp@psplawyers.com

Sakis SakellariouP: 801-733-5030jsiouris@hotmail.com

Pete Saltas

P: 801-573-1827pete.saltas@gmail.com

Pete SefakisP: 801-390-3587pns@yahoo.com

June 26, 2013

Dear fellow Parishioners,

Your Parish Council feels it is necessary to reach out to you with afinancial update.

Those of you who attended the Parish Assembly in May are aware ofthe Parish Councils concerns regarding our communitys financialhealth. For some time now, the Communitys expenses have farexceeded its income. During the Parish Assembly, the Parish Councilinformed the Community that unless stewardship improvedsubstantially, the Community would reach a point where it is unable tomeet its financial obligations. Based upon the Treasurers latest report

it appears we have reached that point and may not be able to meet ourfinancial obligations including payroll at the end of July, 2013.

The Communitys financial deficit as of June 25, 2013 is in excess of$120,000. This figure includes the Communitys Archdiocesanobligation. Stewardship has not kept up with the budget approved bythe Parish Assembly in May, 2013.

In addition to the Communitys monthly expenses, unforeseenexpenses relating to both campuses have placed a burden on theCommunitys financial resources and if not quickly addressed ourinfrastructure will further deteriorate and will impede our ability to holda successful Festival. For several years, this community has not beenable to maintain any emergency reserves.

The Parish Council calls on all parishioners to reflect on their currentand future stewardship donations. If you have already donated, pleaseconsider a further donation. If you havent donated, now is the time.For your convenience you can visit the Communitys web site athttp://www.gocslc.org/ and use the donation buttonhttp://gocslc.org/contact_us.

Your Parish Council is making every effort to rectify this financialsituation without resorting to unpopular measures. We are consultingwith Metropolitan Isaiah for further direction.

We appreciate your continued support and will continue to do our best

to keep our beloved community moving forward.

In His Name and Service,

Your Parish Council

http://www.gocslc.org/http://gocslc.org/contact_ushttp://gocslc.org/contact_ushttp://www.gocslc.org/

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Parish Council Members

PresidentDimitrios TsagarisP: 801-554-1951dimitrios.tsagaris@gmail.com

First Vice PresidentPhilip KithasP: 801-718-5854philipkithas@comcast.net

Second Vice PresidentTykie SkedrosP: 801-860-2020tsked@aol.com

Treasurer

Gus ColessidesP: 713-859-0369gus@rllinsure.com

Ass istant TreasurerChris SakellariouP: 801-699-5072csakellariou@hotmail.com

SecretaryAlicia MaresP: 801-673-3340aliciakmares@gmail.com

Corresponding SecretaryMaria Hardwick-OneidaP: 801-580-6215mariaoneida@comcast.net

George AdondakisP: 801-530-5131gadondakis@nicholasandco.com

Steve GamvroulasP: 801-580-6900sgamvroulas@gmail.com

J ohn MastakasP: 801-916-9488

john@usemetro.com

Thomas PetersP: 801-209-9145twp@psplawyers.com

Sakis SakellariouP: 801-733-5030

jsiouris@hotmail.com

Pete SaltasP: 801-573-1827pete.saltas@gmail.com

Pete SefakisP: 801-390-3587pns@yahoo.com

J uly 30, 2013

Dear ParishionersAs we reviewed the financials at our parish council meeting last evening it

was painfully evident that the community finances have reached a critical

point. Our community is out of money and unable to meet payroll this

week. After much discussion of the possible options to relieve our

community of its chronic deficit, a motion was passed to reduce the base

salary of each of the three assigned clergy by 40% for a total annual

reduction in expenses of $124,890 which translates into 30% of their total

compensation package. This will take effect J uly 31st.

Last week a letter was sent to His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah updating

him on this critical situation. The Parish Council President has also left

voice messages for His Eminence but has not yet heard from him.

It is with heavy hearts that the Parish Council must take such action, but

feel this is what must be done to try and keep our community solvent during

this trying time.

In His Name and Service,Your Parish Council