CIA officer who spoke about bribe to Bartholomew for OCU retracts his words

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: OCU

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: OCU

Former CIA officer John Kiriakou, who previously claimed that Patriarch Bartholomew received a $20 million bribe from the U.S. for granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church, has retracted his statement. This was reported by the Greek outlet Hellas Journal.

"I said that the money was sent through Ukrainian banks and that when it finally arrived in Istanbul, it was $5 million short. I heard this story from a State Department officer who had claimed to have direct knowledge of the situation. I have learned, however, that the story is false. No such transaction took place." Kiriakou stated, emphasizing that Patriarch Bartholomew is a "personal hero of mine."

"He’s known as 'the Green Patriarch' because of his impactful and longtime support for environmental protection, and he is a champion for peace around the world. Literally the last thing I would want to do is to put him in danger or to jeopardize the important work that he’s doing."

According to Kiriakou, the information he shared about the alleged bribe could have put the head of the Phanar at risk: "He already has been the subject of criminal and terrorist attacks from Turkish nationalists, attacks well documented in the media and on the news program 60 Minutes."

"I should have nailed down the facts before I repeated it," he concluded.

As a reminder, Kiriakou's story about the bribe to the head of the Phanar, as he claimed, was something he had heard in 2010. Therefore, it could not have been directly related to the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). However, in 2008, President Viktor Yushchenko actively lobbied for the Phanar to legalize the Kyiv Patriarchate, and Patriarch Bartholomew even visited Kyiv. But the then leader of the UOC-KP, Filaret Denysenko, refused to participate in this initiative at the last minute.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Kiriakou, the U.S. paid the Phanar $20 million for the creation of the OCU.

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.

Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.

Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects

According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.