I received a copy of the following letter. It saddens me that in 2009 a person can be persecuted for their beliefs, their willingness to stand up for what is right, and their wanting to worship with their congregation. Why can't we, as a whole community, see what is going on here and work toward the end of such vial behavior that afflicts the leadership of this church. Members are being excommunicated and denied communion because they stand up for the sanctity of ground on which their church is built. These are truly sad times for the social fabric of this community. Read this letter and think about the pain.



October 9, 2008

Metropolitan Nicholas
312 Garfield Street
Johnstown, PA 15906


Glory be to Jesus Christ, Christ is in our Midst,

I humbly request that you review your letter dated September 3, 2008 as I dispute your claims and
do not feel the excommunication is justified.

I have read closely on several occasions the letter along with the outline of the facts as you understand
them and would submit to you that there are several discrepancies. I never spoke out at any borough council
or public meeting nor the one you mention in your letter held on April 15, 2008. This may be verified as the meetings are a matter of public record and subsequently videotaped. Your office never sent me a letter warning me of any actions in May 2008 as stated within your letter. Most importantly I did not create nor lead a sect or division in the Parish of our beloved Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Phoenixville, PA.

In my opinion, mailing this type of communication to John Bilanin, Michael Kost, Mark Samilenko and Father John Fedornock, before me is not an appropriate way to handle such a confidential and delicate matter between myself and the most Holy Sacrament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Never did I curse Father John Fedornock in vile words and this is a complete fabrication of the facts. The accusation made by Pani Fedornock, which I discussed at length with Father John, Pani and Father Miloro were admitted to be inaccurate by the parties of the Fedornock family as noted on my answering machine tape which I still have in my possession. I went to confession since this accusation to change the state of sin, Father and Pani claimed I had, just to avoid future embarrassment by the horrible use of the sacraments as punishment for my views on the sale of the property back in March 2008 as we had discussed when he blessed my home. The cursing accusation Father Miloro agreed was not justification for excommunication even if were true, as done first during Presanctified in front of my daughter and parish as well as threatened punishment over the telephone on my same answering machine.

Based on the above and the fact that I pray to the Holy Trinity every day, pray and read the Bible every day and have always attended services regularly at Holy Orthodox Church, I am officially going on record disputing your harsh words, letter, and proclamation in public through Father John Fedornock. Father John’s decision in reading this letter from the pulpit, leaking it the press and then mailing copies to the multiple people is harassment and defamation of character. I pray you can have whomever did this to my family apologize and reverse as I have not lead any sect, cult or schism and know of over 75 parishioners whom
have had trauma over this fiasco. Using the sacraments of our beloved Lord and Savior as extortion is an embarrassment to our faith. Conversely, the many men who did speak out against this sale have had no letters or punishment which also breaks a few laws.

God bless you and please cease and desist any additional harassment on the phone and by mail from Father John Fedornock regarding the sale of the property. My nine year old daughter is a lovely, Holy Orthodox Christian who should not be punished, nor should I, for wanting the land to be intact for our church.

I look forward to a discreet, swift reversal to my status as an Orthodox Christian in writing with the hope that I may be in a position to devote my energy to the success of Holy Ghost Orthodox Church moving heavenward and forward….

Humbly I remain yours in Christ,

Nancy E. Dempsey

Mark 11
22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."


THIS LETTER HAS NEVER BEEN RESPONDED TO AND THE MAILINGS AND NEWSLETTERS CEASED THE FOLLOWING MONTH. SINCE THEN I HAVE ATTENDED BUT HAVE NOT GONE FOR COMMUNION.

IN THE MEAN TIME, UNDER OTHER JURISDICTIONS OF ORTHODOXY, I WAS BLESSED WITH A WONDERFUL SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS, MY DAUGHTER AND I SING IN THE CHOIR AND HAVE FELT SPIRITUAL STRENGTH FROM WITHIN AND PRAY FOR HEALING IN THE MINDS OF THOSE THAT HURT OUR BIRTH PARISH AND HOME OF HOLY GHOST.