PHOTO: Theodore Kalmoukos speaks at the Maliotis Cultural Center in 2024. Photo: Maliotis Cultural Center.
ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
The National Herald now criticizes the leadership for the crisis in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, even the Patriarch, but for decades, it helped create the very system it denounces. From protecting power brokers to seeking favors from the Church, TNH was part of the establishment, not its watchdog. After decades of cheerleading for GOARCH’s power structure, TNH now pretends to be the voice of truth. Yet it never confronted Karloutsos, Bartholomew, or its own entanglements. Without admitting its past failures, its new “critiques” lack credibility.
By Nick Stamatakis
In the article we post below (by the Union of Orthodox Journalists), The National Herald (TNH) has finally begun to acknowledge the deep, systemic problems in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and to point a finger upwards, toward the Ecumenical Patriarchate. However, their recent commentary fails to acknowledge their own long-standing and active complicity in creating precisely the situation they now decry.
For decades, TNH never dared to utter a serious critical word about Fr. Alex Karloutsos—Bartholomew’s chief representative in America and, in practice, one of the true power-brokers of the GOARCH. The Herald consistently protected him, echoed his narratives, and benefited from the very system of influence and access that has hollowed out the integrity of the Archdiocese. They now act as if Karloutsos and Bartholomew suddenly brought about a crisis in GOARCH, but they were part of the machinery that enabled it.
True journalism requires independence, scrutiny, and the courage to speak truths even when it is inconvenient or professionally risky. TNH, however, too often played the opposite role—not watchdog, but cheerleader. Instead of seeing behind the façade, they helped preserve it. Instead of investigating the entanglements, financial questions, and power structures, they protected them.
It is impossible to forget that just a few years ago, publisher Antonis Diamataris openly advocated for GOARCH to establish a “Sunday for The National Herald”—an astonishing proposal that would have made the Church itself a vehicle for promoting a private newspaper. This, on top of the already misguided “AHEPA Sunday,” shows how deeply intertwined TNH sought to be with the very institutions they were supposed to evaluate critically. A journalist who seeks institutional honors, special recognition, or financial benefit cannot then claim to stand outside the system in judgment. You simply cannot have it both ways. Just a year or two ago, TNH, in an editorial, complained that GOA does not give them enough advertisements.
And now—after decades of silence, accommodation, and selective reporting—they wish to posture as courageous truth-tellers?
Where is the self-criticism?
Where is the acknowledgment of their own enabling role?
Where is even a single apology for having failed their journalistic duty for so long?
Of course, no such apology has appeared. It is far easier to denounce the system now that its failures are undeniable than to admit that you helped construct the edifice. TNH is not merely late to the conversation—they are attempting to rewrite their own history of collaboration.
If the National Herald wishes to be taken seriously as an independent voice, it must first confront the simple truth: they were part of the problem, part of the network of silence and flattery that allowed these issues to metastasize within GOARCH. Until they acknowledge that, their critiques will always ring hollow.
Helleniscope, meanwhile, has remained the only consistently independent and trusted voice in our community—the only one that speaks the truth plainly enough to hurt the GOARCH establishment genuinely. And this is precisely why GOARCH employees or associates have dragged us into court for the past five years (out of our six years of existence—Helleniscope began in 2019) with frivolous “defamation” claims. They have failed thus far, and they continue to do so. Some shady actors have even attempted to file complaints or lawsuits against us in Greece, hoping that—after their bogus “defamation” cases were dismissed in the United States, where the First Amendment still holds force—they might find a more “cooperative” judicial environment under the Mitsotakis government. They failed. I will update you on this soon…
One of those who attempted this tactic was none other than A. Diamataris, the former TNH publisher, whose ties to the Mitsotakis family are well known. His wife is a niece of Cons. Mitsotakis, and he himself is now enjoying not one but two government-appointed, high-salary positions in Athens. He also failed thus far in his legal pursuit against us…
Need I say anything more?
November 16, 2025, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
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National Herald Editor: Bartholomew Himself to Blame for State of GOARCH
Theodore Kalmoukos also argues that, since Pat. Bartholomew and Abp. Elpidophoros care about money, it is on the people to cut financial contributions to the Archdiocese.
NEW YORK — Theodore Kalmoukos, religion editor for the National Herald, has written a scathing editorial for the nation’s only daily Greek-language publication in which he reflects on the current state of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and those who, in his estimation, caused it.
In a piece titled, “The Uprising of the Greek-American Community in Astoria,” Kalmoukos starts by mentioning the recent developments at St. Demetrios Cathedral in New York, which UOJ has previously reported on. Parishioners protested outside of the church last month after what they saw as an archdiocesan takeover of their historic community.
“Elpidophoros himself returned to the ‘scene of the crime’ for the feast of St. Demetrios and once again repeated the same myths about ‘fake news,’ seemingly unaware that he was insulting the intelligence of the people of the parish and the broader Greek-American community, and proving once again the narrow mindset he brings to the proud and unyielding Hellenism of America, a mindset that brings shame to both the Church and the community,” Kalmoukos writes.
He continued to say that the “dark and decaying condition in which our ecclesiastical life has fallen” is not solely on the shoulders of Abp. Elpidophoros, who is “what he is,” but that the chief person responsible for the state of GOARCH is Pat. Bartholomew himself.
“He knows everything, sees, hears, and is informed, even by Archon orders, yet chooses to feign ignorance,” Kalmoukos writes. “What truly seems to matter is not the well-being of the Church or the Greek-American community, but money. Yes, money above all. For years, the Archdiocese of America has been regarded as Orthodoxy’s ‘goldfish,’ or, if you prefer, its ‘picky bag,’ serving ‘the needs of the Mother Church, philanthropic and otherwise.’ Meanwhile, our own parishes, schools, and institutions are left to crumble.”
Furthermore, Abp. Elpidophoros is not to blame for finding the money and growing comfortable, he said, but the people themselves for accommodating this mode of function for the Archdiocese.
“The blame lies with us, the faithful, the parish members who keep giving instead of tending first to our own household,” Kalmoukos states. “At the most recent meeting of the Archdiocesan Council, it was reported that the Archdiocese’s finances are so strong that a multimillion-dollar surplus has accumulated. It is therefore time for the parishes to cut in half their mandatory financial contributions to the Archdiocese, or better yet, to decide for themselves how much they can afford to give, rather than being dictated to from above.”
While people sweat over the grill at their local Greek festival, Kalmoukos writes, their money is funding trips to Constantinople for Abp. Elpidophoros and his entourage. While on these trips, they “flatter the aging Patriarch with claims that all is well in America.”
“But the uprising of Astoria pulverizes all such pitiful excuses and proclaims clearly that a famine is coming,” Kalmoukos concludes. “Do you understand?”
Previously, UOJ reported on a National Herald article which stated that Pat. Bartholomew had asked GOARCH to fund the papal visit of Pope Leo to the Phanar.
TNH is not self-supporting. Newspaper business is not what it used to be. TNH depended on advertisements from parishes. However, that mode of income has grown old and tired. After all, who wants to see a cxonstant barage of which community is holding its Greek festival.
Any reporting that the archdiocese considered as not obsequious enough, ala Orthodox Observer, or the Soviet Union mouthpiece, Pravda, was considered as a deadly sin. TNH, being a newspaper was between a rock and a hard place. After all, to sell newspapers, you have to print the news, as they are.
That was a deal breaker for the Erdogan wannabe, AKA Elpidoforos. He ordered parishes not to buy advertising space on the newspaper.
TNH, seeing that they were losing the advertisement money any way, changed their tune. Now, it is a free for all. They want Elpidoforos ousted, which would mean that the money stream might be re-opened. What I have noticed, that Kalmoukos himself, is very partial towards N.J’s Apostolos. He will not publish any story that would be anything other than embarassingly fawning. There are complaints of “leaks”, wich prompted Elpidoforos to hire a private detective to discover its source. Apostolos is eyeing the Archbishpic throne. Maybe he is the “leaker”, supplying TNH with dirt on Elpidoforos.
Yes,. our hierarchs could write their own TV series in intrigue, underhandedness and false pride. I wonder. Do they have any fear of God?
For a bit of a “White Pill”:
I will say, as someone in the GOA who lives in the South and who has been to numerous parishes in the Southeast/Florida/West Coast, the doom and gloom of the GOA seems to very much be a Northeast (possibly Chicago?) thing.
Here in the South and the other regions I mentioned, our GOA parishes are quite literally packed to the rafters every Sunday. Some parishes are having to either build new temples or add on to additional ones.
Of the numerous parishes I have been to, Orthodoxy is solidly preached in the homily and the few priests I have spoken to are not on board with the Elpi or Bartholomew
We are also seeing a very large number of converts. My parish has between 20-40 catechumens, another parish in my state I believe has 40+ from what I’ve been told. A couple of parishes in Florida I know of have similar numbers and Im hearing similar things all over the Metropolises of Denver (mine), Atlanta and San Francisco. I can’t speak to Chicago or Detroit Metropolis.
I say ALL of this because: The future of GOARCH and Greek Orthodoxy in America is NOT in the Northeast liberal elite rot. The future is in the high growth conservative sun belt. These converts coming in are by and large very Orthodox in their theology and they are going to be a force to be reckoned with In the Archdiocese.
The Northeast and especially the New York diocese is governed directly by the archdiocese. That’s the reason there is lots of dissatisfaction.
Moreover, in Christianity, there is no such thing as “liberal” or “conservative” Who can argue with the fact that if Christ was ministering today, He would be labeled a “socialist” or worse a “communist”. What conservative teaching would tell you to “sell all you have and give it to the poor?” What conservative teaching would tell you “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” – Psalms 82:3″ –Think of the “illegal aliens”.— or : Matt 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. “”
As far as bodies in the churches, hanging from the rafters as you say, I have not seen any increase in numbers of the Greek Orthodox faithful in the latest pew survey. After Greek Orthodoxy shedding hundreds of thousands of converts from the 90’s to just before Covid, it has now stabilized. But there is no overall increase. When you see 20-40 catechumens, you have to consider the number that have left. A missing parishioner is not seen.
I’m not sure where you’re at but in my area there is definitely an increase from before covid.
All the churches I have been to in the South are packed, including my own. This was not the case before. Most of the people are new converts. Have ethnic Greeks fallen away? Sure, some have. But they apparently weren’t attending liturgy anyways.
If the numbers had just stabilized then the attendance wouldn’t have increased. Or at least the numbers have evened out between those leaving and those coming in. I travel quite a bit and I can assure you every Greek parish I’ve been to has been packed.
Not only are Sunday’s packed but our weekday Paraklesis is also packed with standing room only in our chapel
As the maxim goes
The truth always comes out
So what is going to happen when the shameful patriarch will be replaced? Because, he is not that young and he will soon die. Will Elpi be next? What changes will he bring? And in the meantime, we should not only worry about how much money is raised over the sweat of some, over the grill, to sponsor the lavish trips of elpi and barto, but most recently, the news goes that we have to sponsor Leo’s travel too. This is the most bizarre proposal. Barto is out of his mind for sure. Would the vatican sponsor a trip to Rome for him? Very unlikely. He is kissing the ring. I am so sick of his attitude. Orthodoxy will never kneel.
Nick, your criticism of TNH and the Diamataris clan is absolutely correct.
In my research, I have spent considerable time reading and analyzing every single issue of The National Herald, from its very first issue to the present. I can tell you the only similarity withe paper published in the past by Titanis, Kehagias, Vlavianos, or Babis Marketos is only the name of the paper. The substance has literally gone to hell. It is no longer serving a journalistic mission. God help us if we rely on TNH to guard our institutions by getting the facts straight. I can give a zillion examples where the Diamataris clan has failed our church and our community.
BUT, having said that, I draw a distinction between Theodore Kalmoukos and the rest of them at TNH. Kalmoukos always gets the facts straight. His reporting is reliable. His sources are numerous and, indeed, in high places. His sincere love for our church, our institutions, and our Faith, cannot be doubted, even when we wish he would stick the knife deeper.
I, too, am frustrated that he has not gone after the big fish, mafia criminals like Alexandos and Michael Karloutsos. We must remember, however, whom he works for and the constraints that undoubtedly restrict him.
As for his belated radical criticism of Bartholomew, I am quite sure that is due to his deep affection for the institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It pains me to call for my father’s execution, and undoubtedly that’s how Kalmoukos feels about cutting ties with the institution of our own patriarchate in what he always calls Constantine’s City. The patriarchate was loved and respected by our parents, our grandparents, and every generation before them. It is our lifeline! Yet it has fallen to non-believers, monsters who are killing our Faith. I, too, feel what Kalmoukos feels. This is no fun. If there is a way to salvage our inheritance, we must practice self restraint. We cannot enjoy cutting a chain of so many centuries. Matricide or patricide is a capital sin!
I also want to remind readers that Kalmoukos has paid a personal price for exposing Elpidophoros’ crimes against us and calling for his removal. Elpidophoros’ unethical stooge, Savas Tsivicos, used Ahepa’s stationery to write a libelous letter to Bartholomew, insinuating that Kalmoukos had a financial interest in calling for the Turkish bishop’s removal. At the same time, there was a coordinated smear campaign against Kalmoukos, one that included a photo of Kalmoukos from his graduating class yearbook at Holy Cross Seminary several decades earlier. These unethical midgets made baseless attacks with innuendos, the way only a Third World Turk or an Ahepa officer could possibly do it.
The bottom line is that, whatever shortcomings he may have, Kalmoukos is vital to efforts to save our church. His scars from recent battles are a testament to the work he does as a journalist and as a fighter for our Faith. We must welcome good work when we see it, and respectfully criticize bad work when that happens.
Diamataris and his family are a different story. I agree with your criticism of them and, indeed, can add a lot of my own stories about them based on personal experiences.