John Catsimatidis: Russia is the main threat to the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Catsimatidis, had already achieved the American dream, before turning 25 by owning ten Red Apple Supermarkets in New York. Today, Red Apple Group operates in the energy, aviation, retail and real estate sectors and employs more than 8,000 people.

While in Greece, Catsimatidis gave an interview to state news agency AMNA and journalist Katia Tsimplakis, talking of the challenges the Ecumenical Patriarchate is facing, pointing out that its only enemy is the Moscow Patriarchate, which would like to take the lead in Orthodoxy.

Regarding the conversion of Hagia Sophia and the Holy Monastery of Chora into Muslim mosques, he expressed his pessimism about whether Turkey will reverse its decision.

“It was very tragic that the Turkish government decided to turn one of the oldest churches in the world into a mosque. I don't think that under the current atmosphere in Turkey it could be reversed" emphasizes in an interview with APE-MPE the

Mr. Catsimatidis spoke about Greek-American relations and about the upcoming elections for the US election.

In more detail, for the 4th Synod of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate he said that its purpose was to align all the Arc hons worldwide, from Europe to North America, Australia, Asia. "To bring them together to create a greater force for the protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and our Church" he said. He pointed out that a few days before the Synod he attended in New York, at the invitation of the Vatican, celebrations of the Knights of Malta, who are the Pope's protectors. It is an institution, as Mr. Katsimatidis said, similar to that of the Archons who protect the Ecumenical Patriarch.

As concerns the war that Russia is waging in Ukraine and its relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek American businessman noted that Russia would like to take control of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and make it a Russian asset. “We are currently working very hard to exert political influence in the United States, the Congress, the Senate, the executive office and the presidency of the United States. This is the only option the Archons have. They must influence the United States, which is the only force that can protect the Patriarchate and religious freedom," he said.

Although expressing pleasure that Joe Biden, has great respect for the American Archbishop Elpidophoros and Fr. Alexandros Carloutsos, he expressed his belief that he will protect the Patriarchate.

A close friend of Donald Trump, John Catsimatidis, at every opportunity expresses his support for his candidacy for the Presidency of the USA. He said he is one of the five smartest people he has ever met.

A few hours after the official dinner of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Zappeion, which sealed the end of their 4th Congress, John Catsimatidis traveled to New York. There he attended Donald Trump's 15-person private dinner with his elite supporters.