WORCESTER (MA)
Telegram & Gazette

Dianne Williamson
dwilliamson@telegram.com

The Rev. Donald J. Peters sat outside the crowded courtroom, his tall frame folded and hunched, as though single-handedly absorbing the pain of a parish in torment.

“This is one of the saddest days of my life,” he said softly. “But it’s also one of the most important. It’s about truth, which is a basic tenet of orthodox theology. … I truly believe that almost every person in that room feels the pain in a different way.”

He was referring to Room 24 of Central District Court, which was filled, quite literally, with a church divided. On one side sat those loyal to the Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad, 55, pastor on leave of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, now a criminal defendant in a bizarre sexual assault case. On the other side, supporters of the alleged victim sat in unity…