According to information, Patriarch Bartholomew had asked three times the resignation of Archbishop Demetrius, with the last request to be made at a secret private meeting in Geneva.
The first two times the 90-year-old hierarch refused to resign, claiming he still has a lot to offer. Fanari had even left the possibility of being dismissed open. Indeed, the Ecumenical Patriarch thought of putting the matter to a vote at the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in November.
On the third occasion, Archbishop Demetrios was not so categorical and asked the Ecumenical Patriarch to leave him in his place until Easter. His request was accepted, but caused discomfort to the Hellenes Abroad.
Archbishop Demetrios of America served the Orthodox Church of the United States for 20 years, in particular since 1999, when he succeeded Archbishop Spyridon, who resigned for personal reasons.
However, information suggests that in recent years there has been a great deal of dissatisfaction with the Greek community, due to the poor financial situation of the Archdiocese and the delay in the construction of the church of Agios Nikolaos next to the Twin Towers, although the required funds were allocated.
The resignation of Demetrios will be discussed at the Holy Synod that will meet on May 9-11. According to information, until recently, the successors of Archbishop Demetrios was rumoured to be Archbishop of France Emmanuel and the Archbishop of Prousa Helpidophoros but the former allegedly withdrew his interest.
