Finally in the Dock

After three postponements, the Holy Fire trial began: “The moment of truth has arrived”

The day began promisingly. At least one of the two complainants, the Chief Secretary of the Patriarchate, was present—as were the lawyers. Thus, all prerequisites for the trial to proceed were in place. The trial’s number on the docket was 5. It was not ideal (1-2), but by no means could it be described as bad. With only four trials scheduled before mine and the possibility that some might be postponed, as often happens, it seemed highly unlikely that the “Holy Fire trial” would be postponed because the court ran out of time.

Unless what transpired that day actually happened. All three initial trials took place, and indeed lasted for a relatively long time, and when the fourth one was reached, it was already noon. Suddenly, we realized it was a very significant case—with many defendants and witnesses—which, if it proceeded, would make it impossible for my trial to begin. The courts close at 3:00 PM.

At some point, my lawyer, Thanasis Anagnostopoulos, approached me and said, disappointed: “Unfortunately, Dimitris, only a miracle will allow our trial to proceed. The trial that just started cannot possibly finish today. Therefore, ours will be postponed again for several months later.” “Are you sure?” I asked him. “One hundred percent.”

I could not believe it. I felt myself sinking. I had waited years for this moment, and the trial would not proceed again, this time due to a twist of fate. I sat in a chair and do not recall how many minutes I remained there speechless, with my head bowed.

I had to come to terms with the fourth postponement.

And suddenly, a miracle occurred!

I saw my lawyer rushing out of the courtroom, shouting: “Dimitris, quickly, into the courtroom! Our trial has begun!”
– “But how? What happened?”
– “Simply, important witnesses were absent from the previous trial, and the presiding judge postponed it. Let’s go! The moment of truth has arrived.”

En route to the courtroom, Father Charalambos Kopanakis, who had come from Crete as a defense witness, approached me and said: “As I exited the restroom and ascended the stairs, Aristarchos and his lawyer were in front of me. They did not see me, and I overheard the lawyer reminding Aristarchos not to forget the phrase ‘confessional secrecy’. However, I did not understand what he meant”.

Neither did I understand, which is why I paid no attention to Father Charalambos’s words. A few minutes later, I understood…

As soon as I entered the courtroom, I heard the Presiding Judge call my name, and I took my seat in the defendant’s dock. I felt relieved. Most people feel distressed when they take their place in the dock; I was delighted.
The first witness was one of the complainants, the Chief Secretary of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Aristarchos (Isidoros was not present).

Finally, the time came to see how the Chief Secretary of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, who has served there for 62 years, answered the most crucial question posed to him:

“Can you affirm, with your hand on the Gospel, that this is a miracle?”