New Britain herald., 1927-11-14
WALLS DISMISSED
 FOR DEF| TO PRIEST
Challenge Brings UnWelcOme
 Notoriety to His Employer


 clerk in the St. Clair confectionery and lunch room, who challenged the powers Of Rev. John R. Gero- theou of Waterbury to raise bread ny the powers Of the Holy Ghost in- stead of the yeast. is no longer con- nected with the local business place. This statement was made today by lanes Terapulous, proprietor of tl above establishment.
 Mr. Terapulous made 1t plain that Invalis. who is associated with Charles Smith of New York, presi- lent of the Association Of the Ad- 'ancement of Atheism, was not dis charged because of his religious con- Fictions. but because his sensation. al public challenge to the Waterbury priest was hurting business. He said
 "All day long yesterday l was re- ceiving telephone calls from New Britain people. asking me to get rid of George. They said he was a radi- cal. He was not employed here per manentIy. he was only filling in un- I'll l could get a regular man. ] knew him before but I didn't know he was so radical
 T wouldn't discharge a man Just because of his religious beliefs. Every man has a right to his own convictions and 1 have no desire to 10 interfere, but I'm here trying to make an honest living and I must protect my own business
 At the Walnut street address of Richard Forsythe, where Ivalis boards, it was said that he was re- garded as quiet, well behaved per son, who paid his bills and never made any trouble.
 MT. Terapulous said he was afraid when he read the story in Saturdays Herald that the public would think he concurred in 1nvalis' views on religion.
 Charges Priest With Fake
 Ivalis brought q small tempest about himself when he charged the Rev. John R. Gerotkcou of the Hell lenic Orthodox church, Waterbury, with faking a. demonstration given by the latter at the home of Mrs. Peter Haralamou at POT East Main street, Waterbury. At that place the priest claimed 10 be able 10 raise bread by the power of the Holy Ghost in place of yeast and gave q demonstration by making motions with his hand and dipping a cruel fix into the dough. Invalis watched the dough for three hours and 1t actually raised. Ho charged that in some way the priest had inserted enEymes. the ingredient in yeast which is said to cause dough to raise.
 1valis after this demonstration went to New York and sought ont smith, whose address he had found ID a. maga zine published, it is said for those who seek the truth. He told Smith he was willing to stake &9oh, alIhis savings, on his knowl- edge of chemistry and his belief that the priest could not perform inc feat honestly. Smith said he would arrange for q dem onstra ton before three chemists.
 Tine wager was given considerable : publicity and raised storm of ar guln"nt and controversy among members of tho Greek Orthodox 1 Gath. especially in New Britain and Waterbury. Members of the Helen . lc church are said 10 Dc backing their priest and arc willing 10 Wa ger tho entire church property val { ned at s31, ,o00 against Sl, 900 that { ii can h" done.
 1Nalis had planned 10 go 10 Wa | i"rpury tomorrow. his regular day ! off and put ur tn" money. The sud , I"n severance of his connection with [ his local business placed changed his rlcns and hc is said 10 have gone there today.
 1Valjs claimed 10 have knovicdgc If chemistry gained from t study Of . chemistry after work hours during the past 17 years.