US ambassador to Greece: Support for Fanar is a matter of national security

Jeffrey Payette. Photo: pentapostagma.gr

On December 9, 2020, US Ambassador to Athens Jeffrey Payette stated that support for the Patriarchate of Constantinople is a matter of US national security, according to Rentapostagma.

During a conference on religious diplomacy in Greece, Payette said he respects the Greek Orthodox Church, commended Archbishop Ieronymos, and noted that the United States supported the Greek Revolution of 1821.

Payette criticized Russia's position on the "Ukrainian church issue" and said that Russia was trying to punish Greece by not sending its tourists there.

The US ambassador to Athens spoke in favor of the support of the Ecumenical Patriarch on the part of the Hellenic Church and added that "other churches will recognize the new Ukrainian church."

He expressed hope that Russia would accept "the choice of Ukrainians of their religious freedom," and said that "we are on the side of the Ecumenical Patriarch and this is a matter of moral and national security."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the US ambassador discussed religious freedom with the Greek deputy minister.

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