Cites Extramarital Affair in His Letter of Resignation
By Anna Kaplan
Stockton Record
August 28, 2007
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070828/A_NEWS/708280309
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| The Rev. Michael Pappas stands inside St. Basil Greek Orthodox church on March Kane in Stockton in February 2002. Pappas is resigning from the San Francisco led for the past three years. |
SAN FRANCISCO - A former priest at Stockton's St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church has resigned from the San Francisco parish he's led for the past three years, claiming he's been unfaithful to his wife.
The Rev. Michael Pappas sent a letter in which he admitted to cheating on his wife and stepped down from his post to the congregation of San Francisco's Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church early last week.
Pappas could not be reached for comment, but Holy Trinity's interim priest, the Rev. James Adams, confirmed that Pappas sent the letter.
"All I can say is that Father Michael has given his letter of resignation to the church," Adams said. "It's a regretful situation. He'll be missed. He's loved by everyone in the congregation. There were tears shed."
Pappas was the leader of St. Basil's for 10 years before taking his ministry to San Francisco in 2004, replacing a late priest who had been there for 49 years. He left a lasting impression with the Stockton congregation.
"Our hearts go out to Father Michael and his family, and we pray for them," said the Rev. Luke Palumbis, who has led St. Basil's since Pappas' departure.
Pappas worked on Wall Street in his 20s before an encounter with a homeless person led him into ministry. He spearheaded social justice and interfaith efforts for his churches in Stockton and San Francisco.
Unlike Roman Catholic priests, Orthodox leaders are allowed to marry. Pappas married his wife, Alexandra, in 1989.
Contact reporter Anna Kaplan at (209) 239-3324 or akaplan@recordnet.com.
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