Observers of U.S. foreign policy towards Greece and Cyprus and by extension the matter of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople have breathed a sigh of relief with some recent news out of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team.

Trump announced the appointment of Reince Preibus as his chief of staff– the most powerful position in the administration and the well-known “gate-keeper” to the President.

Preibus, whose mother Dimitra was born in Sudan to Greek parents, was raised Greek Orthodox and is said to have deep ties to the Greek side of his heritage.

The former head of the Republican National Committee who was instrumental during the contentious campaign in playing the role of mediator between a fiery candidate who distanced himself from establishment Republicans and long-time party politicians who clashed with the candidate could be in a perfect position to keep matters of importance to Greek Americans on the President’s agenda.

Preibus made headlines in Greece and Turkey in the middle of the contentious campaign and just a few weeks before Election Day when he took the time to send a congratulatory message to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on October 25th, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary since his enthronement.