A Troubling Choice: The Selection of John Catsimatidis as Grand Marshal

ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ

Did Catsimatidis deserve to be a Grand Marshall more than Smaragdis and “Kapodistrias” this year? Do you really want to take a poll of our community, dear Lou? Go ahead if you dare…

By Nick Stamatakis

I had the opportunity to attend last Friday’s “Vasilopita” cutting at Hiotis Hall of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York, an annual gathering of many Greek-American organizations marking the beginning of the year. Normally, I do not prioritize such formalities due to my very limited time. However, Lou Katsos personally invited me, explaining that he would announce the Parade’s Grand Marshals and that my presence would be appreciated.

I must say that I was unpleasantly surprised by the announcement of John Catsimatidis as one of the two Grand Marshals.

Why?

First, John Catsimatidis has served as Vice President of the Archdiocesan Council for many years—so many, in fact, that few can recall exactly how long. He is a fixture within GOARCH. I also recall that during AB Elpidophoros’ first years (2020–2021), there was a strong push to name Elpidophoros himself Grand Marshal. It eventually became clear—even to him—that holding such a high office is recognition enough, and that serving as Grand Marshal undermines the very purpose of the role. Why, then, make the VP, Catsimatidis, Grand Marshal now?

The answer appears obvious: his exceptionally close business and personal relationship with Parade Chairman Lou Katsos. But didn’t Lou—and didn’t all of us—declare last year that we would no longer allow the Parade to become a platform for promoting personal relationships, business interests, or political connections?

Does John Catsimatidis truly need additional honors from the Greek-American community? Frankly, no.

If anything, one could argue that he owes a significant debt of gratitude to the Church and the community. He began his business career from very humble beginnings, and it has long been alleged that he received a substantial loan that gave him a critical head start – allegedly facilitated by his “koumbaro”, Karloutsos. Yes, he is intelligent and hardworking. But many in our community are intelligent and hardworking. How many others received such an alleged “mega-deal” involving Church money?

Beyond this, are there reasons why his selection as Grand Marshal is problematic on grounds of conduct? Yes—there are.

Between approximately 2015 and 2018, several of us repeatedly pleaded with him to remove the loud bouzouki orchestra stationed directly across from the Grand Stand during the Parade. Many will remember this clearly: the National Anthem would be performed, or the Evzones would march, while the Catsimatidis bouzouki band blared loudly, undermining the dignity and atmosphere of our national celebration.

Some will respond: “But he is a philanthropist. He gives scholarships.”

I asked about these scholarships. I was told—again, allegedly—that the funds largely came from collections among his wealthy acquaintances, with Mr. Catsimatidis acting primarily as an intermediary. The same applies to other contributions, including the bouzouki orchestra and Parade expenses. These stories are widely known within the Federation and often repeated. Many in the community describe him with the familiar expression: “He’s so stingy, he has crabs in his pockets.”

But the issue goes even deeper.

In 2020, he publicly threatened journalists/bloggers who criticized AB Elpidophoros. Then, in 2021, he acted unlawfully – violating anti-SLAPP legislation – by using his personal attorney in connection with a defamation lawsuit filed against me by a GOARCH employee. This was wholly inappropriate given his official role as Vice President of the Archdiocese. Officers of powerful institutions are not permitted to use their positions to harass journalists, particularly under anti-SLAPP protections.

That case is now closed, and Helleniscope prevailed, with the judge using exceptionally strong language praising the quality and legitimacy of our journalism. Here is what the Judge said: “…Mr. Stamatakis is the most … respected voice within the Greek community…”

Did John Catsimatidis ever bother to offer apologies since he is the Vice President of our supposedly Christian Church? You must be kidding… His ego would never allow such a recognition of his own trespasses.  Apologies are for the “low” classes… The “fat cats” are never wrong…

What exposes the deeper flaw in Lou Katsos’ decision-making is not only the selection of Catsimatidis, but also the people who were ignored.

Not a single word was said about Giannis Smaragdis, whose New York premiere of Kapodistrias on November 29 at the Museum of the Moving Image was arguably the most significant cultural event of the year for the Greek-American community. During that very event, Lou Katsos publicly invited Smaragdis—on video—to be a special homoree at the Parade. Did Catsimatidis deserve to be a Grand Marshall more than Smaragdis this year? Do you really want to take a poll of our community, dear Lou? Go ahead if you dare…

PHOTO: At the reception after the “Kapodistrias” premiere, Lou Katsos announces the invitation of Yiannis Smaragdis as a special honoree at the 2026 Greek Independence Parade.

And then—silence.

No mention of Smaragdis.
No mention of Kapodistrias.

Why?

I leave it to Lou Katsos to explain himself. He owes the community an explanation.

Because his actions lead us to believe that John Catsimatidis – who owes much of his success to the Church and the community and has displayed repeated character flaws – is worthy of honor, seemingly because he is a business associate of the Parade Chairman. Meanwhile, the symbol of Ioannis Kapodistrias—directly tied to the Greek Revolution and depicted in a film that sold approximately 780,000 tickets in five weeks – does not merit even a mention.-

There is more to be said. In years past, there was at least a (partially) public debate about the Grand Marshals. This year, everything moved behind the scenes, with Lou Katsos unilaterally making decisions as he saw fit. Meanwhile, we have more than 3,000 Greek professors and researchers from Greece in American academia, along with countless American-born members of our community. Could Lou not have found even one of these individuals to honor?

The entire process, as well as the Vasilopita event itself, felt like a giant backscratching ritual, a loud exposition of the lack of serious vision for the future of Omogeneia. With situations like this, we have shown the public a very sad state of affairs.

Finally, one can only hope that when Lou Katsos reads this critique, likely with anger, he will refrain from turning the affairs of our community into his familiar construction sites of intimidation and vulgarity. Over the past months, he has repeatedly resorted to profanity, most recently, I am told, toward a woman.

You cannot claim to be a leader while speaking this way, Lou.

I am sorry to say this publicly—but I said it to you privately long ago.

P.S. A few hours before the Vasilopita event, the Archbishop performed his Ecumenist prayer next door in the Cathedral, including a lesbian “hierarch”, yet no one in the gathering appeared concerned. A question to all, and especially to “journalists”: as we prepare for the Parade, are we separating the “Greek” from the “Orthodox”? Because what we have witnessed over the past few years is certainly not Orthodox by any stretch. Why the silence? Why give this heretical Archbishop a pass?

February 2, 2026, 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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