November 8, 2015

To The Editor,
We wish to respond to the article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on October 27, 2015,
entitled: Priest: Thou Shalt Make Money by Rob Copeland.
In this article Mr. Copeland made implications that mocked Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson and
misrepresented him. It is not accurate and complete.
Our Orthodox doctrine allows priests to get married, have a family, and be happy in life. It gives
them freedom to fulfill their American dream. It does not frown on making money. Rather, it
points out the role that money can have in helping others.
Mr. Copeland has omitted the good things that Fr. Emmanuel is doing. He donates much of his
fortune to help the poor and contributes to humanitarian causes throughout the world.
In 2012 he founded a nonprofit foundation called The Lantern Foundation focused on supporting
religious, charitable and educational matters through the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople.
As communicants of the parish Fr. Emmanuel has been serving, the Saint George Greek
Orthodox Church in Keene, New Hampshire, we know who the real Fr. Emmanuel is.
We can attest to his character, his faith, and his commitment. He is a kind and gentle priest
whose primary mission is to bring Christ's message to us. In every sense of the Word, he is
doing what he should be doing.
We choose to reaffirm our support for Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson.
Mary, Julia, and Chris J. Booras
Keene, New Hampshire