 I was taken aback by the enthusiastic glee of certain Orthodox malcontents over an article that inundated my social media feeds and flooded my email. A small but vocal group of convert Russian sycophants and disgruntled cradle Christians who are pseudo-conservative “Karens” reveled in what they perceived as a rebuke of the Ecumenical Patriarch. They saw it as a vindication of Patriarch Cyril's questionable actions, including fratricide. Michael Warren Davis, the author, attempts to spin a fanciful narrative, yet his attempt is severely lacking in credibility. His lengthy 2500-word piece is brimming with accusations drawn from superficial virtue signaling by “reporting” overutilized low-hanging fruit authored in Russian echo chambers. Unmasking this impostor and exposing his fallacies is a task that requires no great effort. However, addressing the many falsehoods he presents would necessitate a series of comprehensive analyses. In this initial dissection, I will concentrate solely on his accuracy regarding the Ecumenical Patriarch, refraining from delving into the individuals he attempts to implicate in this verbose journalism. His insinuation-laden expose culminates in a hateful diatribe devoid of legitimacy, seemingly driven more by the author's grievances than any substantive argument about CIA conspiracies. This indicates the author's lack of meticulous research and factual accuracy. The recent publication of "CIA's Man in Constantinople" by The American Conservative is marred by perplexing inaccuracies and outright lies, which should raise serious doubts about the editorial agenda. It's crucial for publications to uphold journalistic standards and present well-researched, factually accurate content to foster informed discourse. Unfortunately, The American Conservative has failed to do so, leaving us to question the reliability of their content. Go figure.  From the start, the misattribution of a photograph depicting the Patriarch of Alexandria as the Ecumenical Patriarch sets a laughable, disconcerting tone. This initial oversight undermines the article's credibility and signals a disturbing lack of attention to detail. It's essential to dismantle Michael's claimed authority and expose it instead as a facade of ignorance catering to a fringe Russkiy Mir Orthodox mentality. This is particularly puzzling, considering the audience of the media outlet "American Conservative."
He commences with the assertion, "Everyone knows that the Moscow Patriarchate is in bed with the Kremlin. Few realize that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is deeply indebted to the United States government." Firstly, a clarification: the correct title is the Ecumenical Patriarch, not the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. We will delve into the nuances shortly, as it appears Mike is more focused on rhetoric than factual accuracy. What does he imply by stating, "Constantinople is deeply beholden to the United States government”? This nuanced insinuation forms the cornerstone of his argument. Constantinople was founded in 38 AD, nearly two thousand years ago. Having survived the Roman Diocletian persecution, iconoclasts, the fourth crusade, 400 years of Ottoman oppression, and a century of Turkish interference and, now, is beholden to the US? Go figure.  Is he suggesting a binary choice? Are we expected to align ourselves with Putin and the remnants of Stalin's Soviet church? Does his Pollyannaish stance suggest that religion should remain detached from geopolitical realities? It seems he dwells in theological what-aboutism, offering only insults and lacking a clear point beyond propaganda. Without context and little insight, Mr Davis slides into an outright attack on the venerable Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras Spyrou. He claims that "Constantinople is deeply beholden to the United States government." I would argue that Constantinople is deeply committed to the standards of American life, liberty, and freedom as granted by the First Amendment. I thought the American Conservative perspective maintained several principles: an enduring moral order, adherence to custom and convention, respect for continuity, and the importance of prudence in decision-making. The American Conservative editorial board has moved on from these principles and now promotes Russo-centric ideals. Go figure.
Michael Davis neglected to mention Athenagoras at the outbreak of World War I. He went to enlist for service but was denied due to his age. Michael began his tirade against Athenagoras with a perceptible slight: a quote about his solidarity with conservative American values, which, to this reader, makes for a sound position of the then Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Michael's statement, "Greece was under Nazi occupation. understandably, a Greek bishop in America would support the American war effort," implies a focus on Greece's self-interest rather than American ideals. Such a mindset appears warped, particularly for a publication like The American Conservative. Archbishop Athenagoras assumed his position during the depression, having been intimately acquainted with the fall of the Ottoman Empire, World War I, Russian duplicity, genocides, expulsions, and numerous catastrophes in Asia Minor. However, according to the author's perspective, none of these factors would have contributed to Athenagoras' strong affinity for American exceptionalism nor warranted mention.
A glaring oversight is the selective quoting of Patriarch Athenagoras without contextualizing the historical backdrop of Stalin's manipulation of the Moscow Patriarchate in 1943. Acknowledging this crucial aspect diminishes the article's analytical depth and misrepresents historical realities. The minutes of Stalin’s meeting with Orthodox bishops on September 4, 1943, and the sudden wartime rapprochement between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Soviet regime were important facts that Mr. Davis did not mention. “When war broke out with Nazi Germany in 1941, the Russian Orthodox Church had been quick to back the [Soviet] government and rally to the defense of the country. This heralded the biggest change in church-state relations since Lenin’s decree on the separation of church and state in 1918.”
In Michael Davis’s barrage of Russian trope attacks, the assertion is, "Bartholomew is not the 'pope' of Orthodoxy—although he would like to be." Michael has no theological and ecclesiological understanding and appears tainted and shallow at best. His viewpoint seems saturated with a distorted Protestant ideology, newly influenced by Russkiy Mir's inclinations. There's a glaring absence of accuracy and historical foundation, replaced instead by racially motivated bias cloaked beneath a conservative epithet. His bias and ignorance are evident in the author's depiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch's jurisdiction as restricted, which echoes a worn-out Russian trope perpetuated by useful idiots. He states, "The Ecumenical Patriarch is the spiritual leader of Orthodoxy. However, he only has direct jurisdiction over a few thousand Orthodox Christians in Turkey." Yet, an elementary comprehension unveils the intricate dynamics of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's influence, extending far beyond the confines suggested by the author's Russian overlords. Let's dissect some of his hyperbole with facts. This isn't meant to be a theological rebuttal or a scholarly endeavor to rectify misinformation. Instead, it's a modest effort to explore the distinctive three-fold attributes of the Holy and Sacred Throne of Constantinople. It aims to counter the erroneous Muscovite propaganda, concealed personal vendettas, or prevalent naive ignorance perpetuated by individuals like Michael Davis and other unwitting instruments of the Kremlin. Here are the facts, Michael.
As Archbishop of Constantinople, he is “one among equals.” The Archbishop of Constantinople is the local bishop of the Archdiocese of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). He holds no more authority than any other Orthodox bishop in this capacity. On this ranking, he is considered “one among equals.” The direct Archdiocese of Constantinople oversees, in addition to several ancient and holy shrines such as the Life-Giving Spring, 37 communities, four high schools, 12 primary education schools, and ten homeless shelters. It also supports the Balouki Hospital, a mental hospital, an orphanage, a summer shelter for working girls, a children's home, and a nursing home. The Balouki Hospital serves all citizens of Istanbul. Within this city alone, it serves approximately 5,000 faithful (2,500 indigenous Greeks and 2,500 nationals/immigrants of various descent: Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrainian…) As Patriarch of Constantinople, he is “first among equals,” the regional Patriarch, and one of the original pentarchy of the ancient church, which also included Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Rome. He is the Patriarch of the regional church of Constantinople. In this capacity, he is “first among equals.” The Patriarchate of Constantinople oversees dozens of vibrant Metropolises, including Chalcedon, Derkon, Imbros and Tenedos, Pringiponisson (Princes Islands), Pissidia, Proussa, Andrianopoulis, Smyrna…, and Antalya which alone has over 120,000 faithful (Plus several thousand visiting faithful “tourists” or ex-pats) More than a few monastic stavropegiacal communities:
Besides overseeing the Metropolitans in Constantinople, Asia Minor, and Thrace, under the direct supervision of the Patriarch, is the Archdiocese of Crete (which alone has 650,000 adherents). An additional quarter of a million adherents on the Dodecanese: Metropolises of Rhodes, Kos and Nisyros, Leros, Kalymnos and Istipalaias, Karpathos and Kasos, and Symi. The autonomous churches of Finland, Estonia, and additional Eparchies include the millions of adherents in the Archdiocese of America, Great Britain, and Australia. The Metropolitanate of Buenos Aires (South America), Mexico (Central America), the fastest-growing Orthodox Metropolis in the world, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, France, Germany, Belgium, Toronto, Italy, and so on… In addition to the millions mentioned, there are the "New Lands" of Greece, comprising around forty Metropolitans with millions of followers. While delving into the intricacies of the "New Lands" is beyond the scope of this article, studying this aspect could provide valuable insights into the Ukrainian situation, dating back to the 17th century, long before any perceived allegiance to the US emerged. This history might be too much for Michael Davis to comprehend. As Ecumenical Patriarch, he is “one without equal.” The Patriarch of Constantinople holds the unique universal title “Ecumenical” and is endowed by the Ecumenical Councils with exclusive privileges. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, the First Throne among the autocephalous Orthodox Churches, has rights and responsibilities that include the commencement and the coordination of actions of inter-Orthodox importance, mediating disputes among local churches and bishops, and according to historical and theological reasons, granting autocephaly… in these capacities, he is truly “one without equal.”  This historical ecclesiastic truth might offend Michael Warren Davis’s sensibilities, but he manages to go on for several pages. Mudding the waters with a feeble attempt to discredit the Greek Archdiocese, quoting laughably Rod Dreher, “Grek Popes,” then rants about Hunter Biden, Vouliagmeni, Homosexual Baptism, Dominion Voting Systems, Fr Alex Karloutsos, President Biden, Clergy salaries, renovationists, Huffington, same-sex marriage, the Church of Greece, corruption, abortion, and on and on… What a pitiful attempt to pander to the Russian sycophants he so desperately seeks approval from, hoping to ingratiate himself with the "in" crowd. The author's tropes might suit a sensationalist supermarket tabloid, and his commentary could resonate with certain Orthodox factions. However, this piece symbolizes the decline of the once-reputable American Conservative, which appears to be failing to uphold its core principles of conservatism. Go figure. In conclusion, the disparities exposed in The American Conservative's "CIA's Man in Constantinople" underscore the imperative of thorough fact-checking and accountable journalism. Readers deserve more than misleading narratives and careless reporting, especially from a formally esteemed publication like The American Conservative. To the few who found this misguided article insightful, a fitting Greek phrase comes to mind to wrap up this response neatly with a bow: "Skasila Mou."  Further Reading
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Ηλίας Δαμιανάκης Άρχων Μαΐστωρ της Μεγάλης του Χριστού Εκκλησίας AuthorBy the Grace of God Archon Elias Damianakis has ministered in the study of Holy Iconography since 1980. In his biography you can read about Elias' life and on his portfolio page you can see where he has rendered some of his hand painted iconography or visit the photo galleries to see some of his work. There is a complete list of featured articles, awards and testimonials which you can visit, as well as a list of notable achievements here below. Please contact Elias for more information or suggestions for this website, thank you and God Bless. 
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