A priest has been accused of exploiting the tearful confessions of a woman experiencing a psychotic episode to evict her from a rent-stabilized apartment in New York City owned by the church, according to a lawsuit.
Magdalena Max Avramovich, 56, had lived in the apartment complex owned by St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Manhattan for nearly three decades, paying just $1,540 per month in rent. She was forced out in February after a dispute with the church regarding her mental health, court documents obtained by The Independent reveal.
Avramovich was diagnosed with schizophrenia during her first acute psychotic episode in 2004 while residing in the complex. However, she claims that antipsychotic medications prescribed by her psychiatrist allowed her to manage the illness without significant incidents, according to court papers.
The following day, Jakovljevic asked Avramovich if he could share the sensitive information from her confession with the church board, which also served as her landlord, according to an affidavit. It is unclear whether Avramovich granted permission for the priest to disclose her confession to the landlord. Typically, any Eastern Orthodox priest who breaks the sacramental seal of confession faces excommunication.
On February 14, a church secretary emailed a surrender agreement to Avramovich, which she signed. Avramovich then vacated her apartment and left for Serbia, where she stayed with family for a month while her psychosis gradually subsided.
As she regained lucidity, Avramovich slowly recognized her mistakes and returned to New York City in April. She resumed taking her antipsychotic medications and found temporary housing in the city, court documents state.
Avramovich blames Jakovljevic for failing to recognize that she was in a vulnerable state and lacked the requisite contractual capacity to sign away her 28-year rent-stabilized home, the court papers allege.
