Thursday, August 30. 2007
The Washington Post story
Kondratick was solely responsible? Did the Commission say that? Your comments welcome.
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"... church investigation concluded that Kondratick was solely responsible."
Huh?! And that's when he woke up!
Priest Robert
Huh?! And that's when he woke up!
Priest Robert
"Financial controls in the church had been "circumvented" at least since 1998, according to church leaders" "But a church investigation concluded that Kondratick was solely responsible, said the Rev. Andrew Jarmus, an OCA spokesman."
Welcome to the new, reorganized OCA communications! Fr Jarmus has already learned how to add more asbestos to the firewall. Now explain how RSK was re-appointed in 2002 and share the chronology of acting treasurers. Or aren't these questions being asked... yet? (At least we're down to 400,000 in our "denomination. Are you listening Honsdale Bank?)
Welcome to the new, reorganized OCA communications! Fr Jarmus has already learned how to add more asbestos to the firewall. Now explain how RSK was re-appointed in 2002 and share the chronology of acting treasurers. Or aren't these questions being asked... yet? (At least we're down to 400,000 in our "denomination. Are you listening Honsdale Bank?)
#2
Praying for Jarmus
on
2007-08-30 20:33
Father Jarmus once performed honorable services for St. Andrew's College and for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. He was a theology professor and a prolific writer.
I wonder what course of events had prompted him to lend his talents to the OCA Disinformation/Damage-Control Machine?
I wonder what course of events had prompted him to lend his talents to the OCA Disinformation/Damage-Control Machine?
#2.1
Greg Denysenko
on
2007-09-02 22:21
Mark,
In the coming days we will witness a blitz of "leaked" and not-so-leaked news coming from Fr Paul Kucynda through various sources, such as Fr Jarmus, on the OCA website, and picked up by various news outlets. The goal of this is to try and head off another Church from getting involved. His direct interference and manipulation of news and tampering with the appeal process is another clear sign of the desperation that Herman and Kucynda now sense if information in the possession of Fr Kondratick gets out. The incredible statement that Kondratick was the only one responsible for all of this is so outrageous that it will now open our Church to more public humiliation.
Unless Kucynda is stopped, his irresponsible behavior and impaired reasoning will take whatever hopes both any serious people had to rebuilt our Church.
Kucynda's exchange with Faith Skordinski is just another example of his incapacity. His outbursts at the past two Metorpolitan Council meetings is another sign of his instability. His fanatic attempts to cover his own misdeeds by orchestrating the course of the Church from meddling in the affairs of the Holy Synod to lying to PR, to setting the terms and limits of the Special Investigation by making sure that the "fire wall" around the Metropolitan would keep that investigation and the report of the Special Investigation committee of the MC limited in its scope of inquiry.
It's time this man is exposed for being no better than Kondratick. He has put in his own cronies from to run the Church. He has overlooked a myriad of "conflict of interest" issues with the people who have been hired or were used to do his dirty work.
His missteps are being well documented and the new "whistle-blower" clause in the Best Practices document will be the protection needed to expose his misdeeds.
Mark, it is time that people know who the real Paul Kucynda is and how he is abusing our Church.
In the coming days we will witness a blitz of "leaked" and not-so-leaked news coming from Fr Paul Kucynda through various sources, such as Fr Jarmus, on the OCA website, and picked up by various news outlets. The goal of this is to try and head off another Church from getting involved. His direct interference and manipulation of news and tampering with the appeal process is another clear sign of the desperation that Herman and Kucynda now sense if information in the possession of Fr Kondratick gets out. The incredible statement that Kondratick was the only one responsible for all of this is so outrageous that it will now open our Church to more public humiliation.
Unless Kucynda is stopped, his irresponsible behavior and impaired reasoning will take whatever hopes both any serious people had to rebuilt our Church.
Kucynda's exchange with Faith Skordinski is just another example of his incapacity. His outbursts at the past two Metorpolitan Council meetings is another sign of his instability. His fanatic attempts to cover his own misdeeds by orchestrating the course of the Church from meddling in the affairs of the Holy Synod to lying to PR, to setting the terms and limits of the Special Investigation by making sure that the "fire wall" around the Metropolitan would keep that investigation and the report of the Special Investigation committee of the MC limited in its scope of inquiry.
It's time this man is exposed for being no better than Kondratick. He has put in his own cronies from to run the Church. He has overlooked a myriad of "conflict of interest" issues with the people who have been hired or were used to do his dirty work.
His missteps are being well documented and the new "whistle-blower" clause in the Best Practices document will be the protection needed to expose his misdeeds.
Mark, it is time that people know who the real Paul Kucynda is and how he is abusing our Church.
#3
Anonymous
on
2007-08-30 22:27
Can you say lawsuit ? Is this man crazy to make that statement. Mark I can guarentee you Fr. Bob is not laying down , you will hear from him with action. Online posts from a brainwashed priest , bad move.
Will Argos
Will Argos
#4
Will
on
2007-08-31 02:28
How often have we heard that we can't believe everything we read in the papers?
Fr Andrew Jarmus's repetition of the lies constructed by Proskauer Rose at Met. Herman's direction -- even if he's quoted in the Washington Post -- don't make those statements true.
$10K for bonuses?! Perhaps Fr AJ (and the WP!) should have done some better fact checking before going into print, and verified how Met. Herman and Met. Theodosius paid for all the gifts they gave each of us at the chancery staff's annual Christmas luncheon, and who paid for the party at the restaurant where we ate, and how. Here's a clue: It didn't come out of their own personal funds.
It's true that these events have been greatly scaled back lately, but neither that nor the way they were conducted (and paid for) in the past can be blamed on the former Chancellor.
Cash lying around?! Better ask Fr Stavros Strikis about that, as well as verify his records. The Chancellor is an executive, not a bookkeeper, and routinely passed all his receipts 'down the chute' to the Comptroller's office.
Personal use of church funds? Didn't happen! On the contrary! More than once Fr Robert Kondatick covered OCA-related expenses when our credit cards were maxed out (several people were using them), and he was appropriately reimbursed.
Again, just because lies get retold and magnified in each retelling doesn't make those false stories true.
Monk James
Fr Andrew Jarmus's repetition of the lies constructed by Proskauer Rose at Met. Herman's direction -- even if he's quoted in the Washington Post -- don't make those statements true.
$10K for bonuses?! Perhaps Fr AJ (and the WP!) should have done some better fact checking before going into print, and verified how Met. Herman and Met. Theodosius paid for all the gifts they gave each of us at the chancery staff's annual Christmas luncheon, and who paid for the party at the restaurant where we ate, and how. Here's a clue: It didn't come out of their own personal funds.
It's true that these events have been greatly scaled back lately, but neither that nor the way they were conducted (and paid for) in the past can be blamed on the former Chancellor.
Cash lying around?! Better ask Fr Stavros Strikis about that, as well as verify his records. The Chancellor is an executive, not a bookkeeper, and routinely passed all his receipts 'down the chute' to the Comptroller's office.
Personal use of church funds? Didn't happen! On the contrary! More than once Fr Robert Kondatick covered OCA-related expenses when our credit cards were maxed out (several people were using them), and he was appropriately reimbursed.
Again, just because lies get retold and magnified in each retelling doesn't make those false stories true.
Monk James
#5
Monk James
on
2007-08-31 04:13
I agree that you take what is written in the newspapers at face value. Having first-hand experience, I suspect many articles are sensationalized. Nonetheless, this post has inadvertently given us another reason to be upset with +Herman and all of his lackey's.
I was wondering...once the full PR report is released, will we really be able to believe everything that came it since the firm was hired by Herman?
Hey...did anyone catch the mistake in the article...the membership of the OCA had one too many zeros in it!
Juliana
I was wondering...once the full PR report is released, will we really be able to believe everything that came it since the firm was hired by Herman?
Hey...did anyone catch the mistake in the article...the membership of the OCA had one too many zeros in it!
Juliana
#5.1
Juliana
on
2007-08-31 08:59
This set of facts is just as fanciful as the lies coming out of Syosset. Curiously, it seems that no one emerging out of the Syosset establishment can tell the truth any longer. "Spin" became the modus operandi. Both sides just keep spinning away. Go ahead until your balloons run out of hot air... we're not listening to your lies any longer.
Syosset... the domain of the spin-meisters; spinning in the name of God. I am so utterly embarrassed that I gave this crowd the benefit of the doubt for so long. What a waste they have foisted on the Church.
Syosset... the domain of the spin-meisters; spinning in the name of God. I am so utterly embarrassed that I gave this crowd the benefit of the doubt for so long. What a waste they have foisted on the Church.
#5.2
Anon.
on
2007-08-31 15:45
It's a new breed that the OCA is cultivating by example of its behavior. Spin, twist, distort, lie is their creedo. They claim all is for the good of the church. The examples set by the gang in Syosset are interpreted as acceptable behavior.
Good people, the tentacles are reaching out and destroying what so many have worked for in good faith. Is your parish in good health? Mine is decaying.
Good people, the tentacles are reaching out and destroying what so many have worked for in good faith. Is your parish in good health? Mine is decaying.
#5.2.1
Be Forewarned
on
2007-09-05 04:29
OK, so was the story of RSK shredding documents true?
If the church lacked substantial recordkeeping, who was responsible?
Who is the person with the 137k in reimbursement requests without receipts?
All questions, none intended to be leading.
If the church lacked substantial recordkeeping, who was responsible?
Who is the person with the 137k in reimbursement requests without receipts?
All questions, none intended to be leading.
#5.3
Daniel E. Fall
on
2007-09-01 20:02
Monk James,
You have obviously been brainwashed by your friend Robert S. Kondratick.
Instead of bellyaching about what a farce the Church Court was, perhaps the three of you should have stayed and listened to the charges brought against your friend. Factual charges that HE, nor Kutner nor yourself can defend. He knew he had NO DEFENSE for his actions, but instead tried to manipulate the procedures and rules set forth by the court solely to delay the proceedings.
I hope you have the strength to quietly go away when the facts are soon told to the church at large. I assure you, you will be embarassed beyond imagination for having ever alligned yourself with and in defense of such a clever, yet flawed man. A man in serious denial, who to this day, still can't seem to grasp what he's done and admit to any wrong doing whatsoever.
You and other's who haved fiercely defended such irreprehensible behavior will look like total fools.
You have obviously been brainwashed by your friend Robert S. Kondratick.
Instead of bellyaching about what a farce the Church Court was, perhaps the three of you should have stayed and listened to the charges brought against your friend. Factual charges that HE, nor Kutner nor yourself can defend. He knew he had NO DEFENSE for his actions, but instead tried to manipulate the procedures and rules set forth by the court solely to delay the proceedings.
I hope you have the strength to quietly go away when the facts are soon told to the church at large. I assure you, you will be embarassed beyond imagination for having ever alligned yourself with and in defense of such a clever, yet flawed man. A man in serious denial, who to this day, still can't seem to grasp what he's done and admit to any wrong doing whatsoever.
You and other's who haved fiercely defended such irreprehensible behavior will look like total fools.
#5.4
Michael Geeza
on
2007-09-02 10:40
Reading this post, I was no more than two lines in when I thought 'This sounds like Michael Geeza.'
And sure enough it is! The hostile tone, the garbled language, the insults -- classic Geeza.
Let me point out, once again, that we (Fr RK, his attorney, and myself) never had a chance in that charade of a court.
We respectfully asked that the proceedings not go forward until the bishops clarified their acceptance or rejection of the Procedural Rules imposed on us.
But Abp Nathaniel -- on his own -- decided that this wouldn't happen. Considering that our question was based on a specific provision of the Statute, we were astonished at Abp N's ignorance of the rules, and even more so by his refusal to abide by them once they were called to his intention.
His ignorance, and the fact that the court was a total set-up whose verdict was predetermined by Met. Herman and his henchmen, was bad enough. But when that 'spiritual' court heard only the 'evidence' offered by the prosecution (conveniently and illegally and immorally the SAME ENTITY AS THE COURT), and then reached a decision in the absence of the accused (again, illegally and immorally), THAT little exercise fatally wounded our OCA's reputation.
All the churches are looking at us closely to see how we -- if we can -- extricate ourselves from the web of malice woven by Met. Herman and his henchmen.
Soon, I expect the whole truth will emerge, and I'm confident that I'll have nothing to be embarrassed about, and neither will Fr Robert Kondratick.
Monk James
And sure enough it is! The hostile tone, the garbled language, the insults -- classic Geeza.
Let me point out, once again, that we (Fr RK, his attorney, and myself) never had a chance in that charade of a court.
We respectfully asked that the proceedings not go forward until the bishops clarified their acceptance or rejection of the Procedural Rules imposed on us.
But Abp Nathaniel -- on his own -- decided that this wouldn't happen. Considering that our question was based on a specific provision of the Statute, we were astonished at Abp N's ignorance of the rules, and even more so by his refusal to abide by them once they were called to his intention.
His ignorance, and the fact that the court was a total set-up whose verdict was predetermined by Met. Herman and his henchmen, was bad enough. But when that 'spiritual' court heard only the 'evidence' offered by the prosecution (conveniently and illegally and immorally the SAME ENTITY AS THE COURT), and then reached a decision in the absence of the accused (again, illegally and immorally), THAT little exercise fatally wounded our OCA's reputation.
All the churches are looking at us closely to see how we -- if we can -- extricate ourselves from the web of malice woven by Met. Herman and his henchmen.
Soon, I expect the whole truth will emerge, and I'm confident that I'll have nothing to be embarrassed about, and neither will Fr Robert Kondratick.
Monk James
#5.4.1
Monk James
on
2007-09-04 15:56
Monk James, when is RSK going to make his side of the story public? And why has he not done so yet? Most of us just want the truth. I'd be as happy to get it from RSK as from anyone else.
#5.4.1.1
Josephine
on
2007-09-05 07:59
The autocephalous vagante says..."The Chancellor is an executive, not a bookkeeper."
I wonder if the job description of the former chancellor included ..."document shredder".
I wonder if the job description of the former chancellor included ..."document shredder".
#5.5
nicholas skovran
on
2007-09-04 10:39
STOP SLYOSSET!
We paid, and paid, and paid into the work of the Old OCA. When it wasn't going backwards, it was standing still -- deer in the headlights still. The Slyosset crew betrayed us and stole our future from us.
The New OCA and its new cast of compliant characters with the same worn out leads -- men acting like spoiled children -- is betraying us again. It's the same old song and dance but clumsier.
Words without decisive action no longer have power. Action, such as that taken by the Midwest to save this Church family from its abusive parents, is required of all of us! We must stop feeding and enabling Slyosset. We must stop our assessment payments now!
BLM
We paid, and paid, and paid into the work of the Old OCA. When it wasn't going backwards, it was standing still -- deer in the headlights still. The Slyosset crew betrayed us and stole our future from us.
The New OCA and its new cast of compliant characters with the same worn out leads -- men acting like spoiled children -- is betraying us again. It's the same old song and dance but clumsier.
Words without decisive action no longer have power. Action, such as that taken by the Midwest to save this Church family from its abusive parents, is required of all of us! We must stop feeding and enabling Slyosset. We must stop our assessment payments now!
BLM
#6
BLM
on
2007-08-31 06:08
What a bunch of STUPID remarks made by a PRIEST,especially to the news media.
Where do these people get the 400,000 members in the OCA?
Theodosius, Herman and all Bishops, should undergo psychological testing.
Theodosius, Herman, Bishops and all who have worked and are working at Syosette should have to take a lie detector test. Yes, everyone should undergo this testing.
This should take care of what FR.Jarmus, has stated, that all future students will be psychologically tested.
If Kondratic would give his side of this fiasco, bring it in the open, the HEALING PROCESS would begin.
Steve Babish
St. James--Brother of the Lord
Kansas City, MO
cell: 816-853-8685
Where do these people get the 400,000 members in the OCA?
Theodosius, Herman and all Bishops, should undergo psychological testing.
Theodosius, Herman, Bishops and all who have worked and are working at Syosette should have to take a lie detector test. Yes, everyone should undergo this testing.
This should take care of what FR.Jarmus, has stated, that all future students will be psychologically tested.
If Kondratic would give his side of this fiasco, bring it in the open, the HEALING PROCESS would begin.
Steve Babish
St. James--Brother of the Lord
Kansas City, MO
cell: 816-853-8685
Keep in mind that an official Communications Director, or Press Secretary, or whatever one is called, is bound to report, not his own opinions, but what he is told to report, or say, or feed the press. This is normal in the US, and should come as no surprise to anyone. Even if Fr. PK is actually telling Fr. Jarmus what to say, the real source and person responsible for whatever is being said to the press, to other Orthodox Churches, or even on the OCA website, is Met. Herman.
The very creation of a position of Communications Director was a move to directly control information. So, is anyone surprised that it is being controlled?
The very creation of a position of Communications Director was a move to directly control information. So, is anyone surprised that it is being controlled?
#8
Name withheld
on
2007-08-31 08:36
Can't you people move on! You're still attacking us!
We've found and exposed the sole culprit.
Our membership has dropped by over 60% in 2 months (MH quoted 1million members at ArchB. Kyrill's funeral).
We now have Best Practices.
What more do you want?
Sorry Syosset & S. Canaan, How about that Special Commission thing? Unrestricted!!!!!!We're not going away!!!!!
Ken Kozak
Akron, OH
We've found and exposed the sole culprit.
Our membership has dropped by over 60% in 2 months (MH quoted 1million members at ArchB. Kyrill's funeral).
We now have Best Practices.
What more do you want?
Sorry Syosset & S. Canaan, How about that Special Commission thing? Unrestricted!!!!!!We're not going away!!!!!
Ken Kozak
Akron, OH
#9
Ken Kozak
on
2007-08-31 08:50
As a member of the Special Commission, I am inhibited from revealing what was in the Preliminary Report. However, I am not inhibited from commenting upon what was not in the report. In no way did we conclude that Fr Kondratick was solely responsible. This is a misstatement, to say the least.
Else, why did we request that we be allowed to complete the investigation?
Fr John M. Reeves
Else, why did we request that we be allowed to complete the investigation?
Fr John M. Reeves
#10
Fr John M. Reeves
on
2007-08-31 10:35
The official title for The Very Reverend Andrew Jarmus is OCA Director of Minsitries and Communications.
After the recent AP story picked up by the Washington Post, I think we can clearly say that his purpose is to be the OCA Minister of Propaganda.
It sure didn't take long for Fr Jarmus' credibility to go down the tubes.
I can't wait for the next communications coming out of Syosset. I am sure they will be as "credible" as this last one.
Whoever is giving them legal advise, their names should be made public so that we can be sure NEVER to engage them.
And the hole gets deeper and deeper.
After the recent AP story picked up by the Washington Post, I think we can clearly say that his purpose is to be the OCA Minister of Propaganda.
It sure didn't take long for Fr Jarmus' credibility to go down the tubes.
I can't wait for the next communications coming out of Syosset. I am sure they will be as "credible" as this last one.
Whoever is giving them legal advise, their names should be made public so that we can be sure NEVER to engage them.
And the hole gets deeper and deeper.
#11
If It Wasn't So Tragic, It Would be Funny
on
2007-08-31 12:55
Dishonesty, distortion, withholding, misleading, thieving - for the good of the church? Is there anyone remaining with a conscience?
Where is love and caring for they neighbor?Have they all abandoned the teachings of their religion?
Look in the mirror and see how ugly and flawed you all are. Please, examine your conscience and redirect your life from this ungodly behavior.
Where is love and caring for they neighbor?Have they all abandoned the teachings of their religion?
Look in the mirror and see how ugly and flawed you all are. Please, examine your conscience and redirect your life from this ungodly behavior.
#12
Mortified and Disgusted
on
2007-08-31 17:45
Mark or anyone else that might have the answer to this,
I was looking at the St. Vladimir's Seminary web site and I noticed that the CFO who was hired about two years ago (I believe his name was Peter Pruzinsky) is no longer listed in the directory and that the open Controller position now reports to the CEO. It would seem logical that that the Controller should report to the CFO.
Just curious.
I was looking at the St. Vladimir's Seminary web site and I noticed that the CFO who was hired about two years ago (I believe his name was Peter Pruzinsky) is no longer listed in the directory and that the open Controller position now reports to the CEO. It would seem logical that that the Controller should report to the CFO.
Just curious.
#13
Anonymous
on
2007-08-31 22:09
Typically in most organizations, the controller is a later add than the CFO. In the situation where the CFO leads, the CEO may consider keeping the controller on board in that role or until a replacement CFO can be found. This isn't a rule, its just what I've learned to be the norm. Accounting can be outsourced and typically is when companies are just starting or competancy is an issue. There aren't really any hard/fast rules for the situation you've described.
#13.1
Daniel E. Fall
on
2007-09-04 17:33
What a crock! RSK is the scapegoat, again! This whole thing gets worse & worse. Mets Theodosius & Herman remain untouched and RSK is the evil guy. People, get real here. It really is time for the FULL truth to come out. Sing RSK, SING!
#14
Anonymous
on
2007-09-01 09:00
This part of the story reminds me of the Fall.
Eve blamed the serpent.
Adam blamed both God and Eve.
And when did either repent and beg forgiveness?
Same old ancestral sin. Blame blame blame.
Over and over again.
Who will ever learn?
Rdr. Alexander Langley
Eve blamed the serpent.
Adam blamed both God and Eve.
And when did either repent and beg forgiveness?
Same old ancestral sin. Blame blame blame.
Over and over again.
Who will ever learn?
Rdr. Alexander Langley
#14.1
Rdr. Alexander Langley
on
2007-09-05 07:53
Leaving to the side for the moment the fact that very credible voices have stated Robert Kondratick was not soley responsible, nevertheless the official statement has been made from the church that the OCA has found him so.
Why then has the church not launched an intensive process to recover everything wrongly bamboozled by the one they announce is soley responsible for the wrongdoing?
How possibly could the OCA uphold much vaunted best practices policy when they don't try to recover funds (whether a repayment plan, or a direct recovery and sale of wrongfully purchased items).
So far, the story appears to be 'we found the bad boy, we fired him, we reduced his church rank, but we didn't try to get the money back, however, we have a book called 'best practices', so please give generously'.
Who in their right mind would send such a group more money to look after?
Why then has the church not launched an intensive process to recover everything wrongly bamboozled by the one they announce is soley responsible for the wrongdoing?
How possibly could the OCA uphold much vaunted best practices policy when they don't try to recover funds (whether a repayment plan, or a direct recovery and sale of wrongfully purchased items).
So far, the story appears to be 'we found the bad boy, we fired him, we reduced his church rank, but we didn't try to get the money back, however, we have a book called 'best practices', so please give generously'.
Who in their right mind would send such a group more money to look after?
#15
Harry Coin
on
2007-09-06 19:49
What most people do not understand Herman and Kucynda have been around for all of this time. Kucynda is Judas and Herman Caiphas. Now when are WE the people going to say enough?
they have totally controlled this situation. It is time for someone with integrity to step into this situation. If not goodbye OCA!
they have totally controlled this situation. It is time for someone with integrity to step into this situation. If not goodbye OCA!
#15.1
Margo P.
on
2007-09-10 05:25
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