St. George Church Leaders React to Arrest of Father Metropoulos

By Chris Facchin
WCSH
September 16, 2014

http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/bangor/2014/09/16/metropoulos-st-george-greek-orthodox-church/15740159/

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- News of the arrest of Father Adam Metropoulos on possession of child pornography and violation of privacy charges stunned members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. There are about 90 families that make up the church parish.

Lee Speronis is the president of the nine member church council. He said he spent most of Monday night on the phone with other council members. He wouldn't comment on the criminal investigation, but said that the church council would be moving Thursday's regularly scheduled meeting to Tuesday night so they could address the arrest and how to move forward.

"I think we're doing what we can do which is just reach out to each other and hugs and get together and talk. And we can't address the criminal stuff because nobody really understands it and there's not a lot of information out there but what we can address what do we do with our community with our family," said Speronis.

Speronis also confirmed that Father Metropoulos had been suspended indefinitely by Metropolitan Methodios, who is the head of the Greek Diocese of Boston. The Greek Diocese is sending a replacement priest so they can hold services this Sunday.

The Greek Diocese is responsible for the hiring of priests for local parishes. When asked if they were aware that Father Metropoulos had a criminal record or if they had conducted any background checks prior to hiring him they did not respond to NEWS CENTER's request for information.