Greek Orthodox priest in Hawaii removed for Adultery and Abuse.

Courtesy of Peter Phelps, Associate writer Greek Herald

A Greek Orthodox priest from the SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific was recently removed for sexual indiscretions unbecoming an Orthodox priest.

The priest, Fr. Nicholas Gamvas, was recently removed from his post at the Honolulu Greek church for immoral activities with a married staff member. According to sources close to the parish, Fr. "Nick" became a tyrant, he physically threatened several members of the Greek church council and demanded several pay raises. Fr. Nick, a divorcee, eventually was paid by the parish a salary amounting to $120,000 a year. Fr.Nick cut down on his liturgical service schedule while at the same time increasing his vacation holidays. A phone call to his office was not returned.

The new bishop, +Gerasimos of the Greek Archdiocese traveled to Hawaii after hundreds of complaints were filed against the priest. When cornered on these issues, Fr. Nick sarcastically retorted, "I am not a monk, I can sleep with whomever I want!" A call to the diocese was not returned. An unnamed member of the parish council was quoted as saying, "he's a martial artist, we were very afraid of him, what kind of priest threatens people." Fr.Gamvas reportedly has a black belt in a Japanese Martial Art.

The church has reported that they have been hit hardby the scandal, people have left the church and they have not received the expected contributions they were awaiting. A reduction of 55% in donations and contributions to the church have hurt the parish in ways, they say, will take years to recover from. "We are down over 50 percent because of this man, we may not be able to pay the bills because of him!"

Fr. Nick Gamvas was transferred to Canton Ohio, where he serves at the St. Haralambos' Greek OrthodoxChurch.