NEW YORK – Abbess Foteini and nun Theonymfi have temporarily left the All Saints Monastery located in Calverton, New York.
On October 9, 2018, their lawyer, G. Michael Stewart (“Mr. Stewart”), sent a letter to the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology where they both studied, as well as to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese alleging “harassment, intimidation, sexual impropriety, sexual assault, failure to report domestic violence and failure to keep them safe. This representation further includes, but is not limited to, claims of harassment, interference with their livelihood, intimidation and failure to keep them safe against the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.”
The National Herald is in a position to know that this issue has reached the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, but it has been ignored thus far.
Nun Eisodia has come from Greece and now dwells at the All Saints Monastery while Sister Foteini and Sister Theonymfi are on sabbatical.
No reply was issued by Holy Cross School of Theology or the Archdiocese. Mr. Stewart and his colleague, Ellyn Hurd, sent another letter dated November 28, 2018 with copies to the members of the Eparchial Synod and the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council stating that they “would appreciate a response and would like to attempt to work to a solution on behalf of the firm’s clients.”
Below please see the letter:
November 28, 2018
Hellenic College Holy Cross 50 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02445
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Archdiocese Headquarters 8-10 East 79th St.
New York, NY 10075
RE: Elizabeth Ann Brandenburg (n/k/a Sister Foteini)
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios:
We previously wrote to you on October 9, 2018, to advise you that this law firm represents Elizabeth Ann Brandenburg (n/k/a Sister Foteini). To date, no response has been received from you, your board or your attorneys. We would appreciate a response and would like to attempt to work to a solution on behalf of the firm’s clients. We have cc’d the Board on this correspondence in an attempt to make certain we are communicating with the appropriate person(s). We were unable to locate an address for members Elaine Allen, Louis Kircos, Constantine Caras, and Maria Stefanis. Please make certain they receive a copy of this letter and our previous correspondence. We do not wish to offend anyone by not including them in the correspondence. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely
Michael Stewart
Ellyn Hurd
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