Revealed why ex-CIA officer retracted his claim on a bribe to Bartholomew
Priest Alex Karloutsos (left) and Joe Biden. Photo: greekherald
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate informed their subscribers in a letter why former CIA officer John Kiriakou retracted his claim about a $20 million bribe to Patriarch Bartholomew for recognizing Ukrainian autocephaly.
According to the Archons’ message, Kiriakou changed his stance after a phone call from Phanar priest Alex Karloutsos in the United States.
"The Rev. Protopresbyter Alex Karloutsos, Spiritual Advisor of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, played a pivotal role in eliciting Kiriakou’s retraction, reaching out to him and urging him to issue a clarification of his remarks," the letter states.
Alexander Karloutsos is the official representative of the Phanar Archdiocese in the United States, Congress, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. He is known as the "Minister of Finance" of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the "unofficial Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Phanar," and the "gray cardinal" of Patriarch Bartholomew.
Throughout his service, Karloutsos has raised over $300 million for the Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Since 2004, he has been a special assistant to the head of the Phanar. Thanks in large part to him, Patriarch Bartholomew met with three Catholic popes. In 2022, President Biden awarded Karloutsos the country's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
As a reminder, former CIA officer John Kiriakou stated in an interview with American blogger Julian Dorey that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had been paid to grant create an autocephalous 'OCU'. However, he soon retracted his claim, calling Patriarch Bartholomew "his hero".
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.