CHICAGO – The drama of the historic Holy Trinity parish of Chicago has drawn to a close with a statement issued by the Metropolis of Chicago. In the meantime, The National Herald has learned that one more icon of the Mother of God has started crying in the nave of the Holy Trinity. The first one was transferred with the directive of Metropolitan of Chicago Nathanael to the Cathedral because he wants to personally observe the icon and determine if it is really crying. Nathanael has completed nineteen months at the helm of the Chicago Metropolis.
The Metropolitan’ statement noted that, “On November 1, 2019, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago made the following statement concerning the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church:
“The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago closed on the sale of its Chicago property to The Universal Church in compliance with the Bankruptcy Court’s September 10, 2019 approval of the sale. While efforts were made by a group of six individuals for reconsideration of the September 10 approval, the Bankruptcy Court rejected their motions.
“Although the parish was forced to sell its real estate assets to settle debts with lenders and to proceed with the settlement of its bankruptcy, steps are being taken to ensure that the Holy Trinity parish can move forward as a faith community that ministers to the needs of its parishioners and society at large.
In the near future, new parish leadership, both lay and ordained, will be appointed by the Metropolis of Chicago in an effort to introduce a fresh outlook on common challenges and new opportunities facing the parish. As Jesus Christ remains our chief cornerstone, we are at peace knowing that the Holy Trinity parish will establish stronger foundations that will enable it to serve the needs of all people for decades to come.
“The faithful of the Metropolis of Chicago, along with all people of goodwill, are asked for their continued prayers and support of the Holy Trinity community during this period of transition and renewal.”
It is reminded here that The National Herald reported that a Chicago Court issued its final decision late Friday evening, October 25 that the sale of the nave of the historic Holy Trinity parish of Chicago should proceed.
The Court had issued an order on October 3 that temporarily froze the sale of the nave of Holy Trinity.
It is also reminded here that on September 10 the sale of the nave had been authorized for the price of $2.5 million dollars to the religious organization Universal Life Church.
Judge Timothy A. Barnes in his lengthy decision made reference to the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America as to who has the authority to approve the sale, the local Metropolitan or the members of the parish. He stated that there was “ambiguity” in the documents.
The Judge wrote in his decision among other things the following: “The Uniform Regulations define the Metropolitan as “[t]he head Hierarch of a Metropolis,” (Id. at p. ix.) Here, the Metropolitan of the Metropolis containing the Debtor is Metropolitan Nathaniel, the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church of Chicago, Debtor’s Resp., Exh. A (the “Approval of the Metropolitan”), and Metropolitan Nathaniel has apparently given hierarchical approval for the sale. Id. The crux of the Concerned Parishioners’ argument is, however, that while such approval may have been obtained, as the approval of two-thirds of the parishioners was not, the sale is unauthorized. The Opposing Parties, on the other hand, argue that the two-thirds vote requirement is simply a procedure to ensure that the Hierarch is not burdened with such requests. According to the Opposing Parties, such procedure is one of convenience for the Hierarch but is not an actual vested right of the parishioners” and observed that “The language is ambiguous.”
The Judge concluded that “here, those facts and circumstances require that the Rule 60 Motion be denied. CONCLUSION: For all of the foregoing reasons, the court concludes that the Chicago Sale Order is not appropriately subject to reconsideration in this matter and must, therefore, be denied.”
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