Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai
    • Council of Nicaea anniversary is call to Christian unity, speakers say
    • Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award
    • Save the Date: October 11, 2025 – Frederica Mathewes-Green to Headline OCL’s 38th Annual Conference
    • Metropolitan Elder Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands Named Honorary Doctor in Athens
    • Fordham’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center Annual Benefit Reception on June 16
    • Saint-Sophia-Seminary-Quarterly-No. 2
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Church seeks prosecution of former treasurer in suspected theft of $400K

    Church seeks prosecution of former treasurer in suspected theft of $400K

    0
    By Webmaster on April 27, 2015 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link
    Constantine Christodoulou (JEFF ADKINS/KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL STAFF )
    Constantine Christodoulou (JEFF ADKINS/KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL STAFF )

    Source: WBIR.com

    (WBIR- KNOXVILLE) – A new tally shows a former church treasurer took $400,950 from Saint George Greek Orthodox Church over about four years, and church members want that man to be prosecuted, records show.

    Church officials filed an incident report Wednesday with Knoxville Police Department and have contacted the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office, members say.

    Sean McDermott, spokesman for the District Attorney General’s Office, said Monday the office could not comment on ongoing investigations that involve prosecutors or any area law enforcement agency.

    Darrell DeBusk, KPD spokesman, said Monday he could not comment about an open investigation.

    Church officials have briefed members on what a review of church finances showed over the last several years. A lawyer and former FBI agent conducted it.

    The former treasurer is identified in the report as Constantine Christodoulou.

    According to the incident report, “suspect Constantine Christodoulou embezzled a total of $400,950 over the course of four years. Occurrence between 2011 and 2014. Complainant stated he will prosecute.”

    Earlier this year church officials feared about $360,000 have been taken.

    The treasurer assumed the office Jan. 1, 2011. Soon after, he began making transactions that in retrospect were questionable, the review showed.

    The Rev. Anthony Stratis informed the church in a February letter that the former treasurer admitted using the money for his own personal use. He also pledged to repay the money, according to Stratis’ letter.

    The church believes the treasurer took money from its various bank accounts. The church handles a lot of cash during the annual Greek Fest. The review of finances could not verify if there had been cash thefts as well.

    In recent months, after members began noticing money irregularities, “rationalizations were given,” Stratis wrote in the February letter. Trusting church members decided there was no reason for a more rigorous inquiry.

    Then, ultimately, Stratis wrote, “…too many alarms indicated unquestionably that a breach had occurred.”

    As a result of the thefts, the church’s accounts had been depleted to less than $2,000, according to the priest.

    A special general assembly of the church this spring authorized securing a $150,000 loan to cover basic needs, such as paying the church KUB bill.

    Within weeks after the thefts were made public, the church suffered another setback: a fire early April 12 – Orthodox Easter – that heavily damaged the sanctuary.

    The church had planned months ago to install a smoke alarm in the sanctuary but was warned by the treasurer that it was too costly, according to members.

    In his letter earlier this year, Stratis concluded: “It is certainly difficult to ask a community of hard-working, dedicated, and faithful members to turn around and start all over again because of the actions of one individual. However, we should remind ourselves that the need is here; it is time to address that need. We should also remember that each one of us thirsts for God’s great mercy, therefore we must be merciful ourselves.”

    Calls to Stratis and John Peroulas, head of the Parish Council, were not immediately returned.

    Related Stories
    Knoxville Greek church members clean holy artifacts after fire destroys sanctuary – WATE-TV.com

    [subscribe2]
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleFormer Bangor Greek Orthodox priest to serve 6½ years for child sex crimes
    Next Article Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday is May 17

    Related Posts

    June 12, 20255 Mins Read

    ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes

    June 10, 20254 Mins Read

    Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai

    June 2, 20252 Mins Read

    Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Procopius on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Procopius on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • John Fronime on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Nn on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Member on Ex-Clergyman, Sexually Abused at 17 by His Priest, Attempted Suicide
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Luke on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    • Webmaster on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.