LETTER TO HIS BEATITUDE THEOPHILOS, PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM, CONCERNING THE IMPROPER PHRASE IN THE REINSTATEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT, JULY 12, 2006
His Beatitude
Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos
In Jerusalem
Your Beatitude,
A few days ago I received from the Office of the Chief Secretary a copy of your letter to the Church of Greece announcing my reinstatement, and I would like to thank you for it.
However, in this letter I read something that I found very troubling. Specifically, it is written there that according to the decision of the Holy Synod, that: “…the former Bishop Nikiphoros of Constantine, known also as Nicholas Baltatzis, who had been defrocked and retuned to the status of a civilian, has submitted an application asking for his reinstatement, having declared sincere regret, and after he came back to Jerusalem, he was admitted back to the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre during the meeting of our Holy Synod (6th Session, of March 24, 2006), and during the 9th Session of April 28, 2006 was reinstated to the degree of the High Priesthood and also was promoted to the rank of Archbishop of Askalon…”. However it doesn’t explain the reason why I was defrocked and the reason why I “declared sincere regret”.
Because, as of yet, I do not know the reason why I was defrocked and the reason why I should declare sincere regret; and because someone who may read this letter may misunderstand certain things; and because this subject is very important for me, I would like to ask you to write to me clearly for what reason or reasons I was defrocked and for what reasons I should declare regret. Also, please inform the Church of Greece about this.
I would also like to ask you to please explain to me when exactly I was reinstated because I read one date in your letter and another date in a letter I received from the Chief Secretary, of which I am sending you a copy. Specifically, in the letter of the Chief secretary, dated April a’, it says that the Synod reinstated me before this date, while your letter says that the Synod reinstated me on April 28.
In anticipation of your answer, from which my return to Jerusalem and my further stand towards the Patriarchate will be determined, I embrace you in a brotherly embrace in the name of the Lord and remain,
+Archbishop Nikiphoros of Askalon
Athens, July 12, 2006
WELCOME
THE CHRONICLE OF MY PROTESTS
LETTER TO PATRIARCH DIODOROS
OPEN LETTER TO PATRIARCH EIRINEOS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF MY REINSTATEMENT
LETTER #1 TO PATRIARCH THEOPHILOS
LETTER #2 TO PATRIARCH THEOPHILOS
OPEN LETTER OF RESIGNATION
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANATHEMA
