The upcoming visit of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to the Athonite Community has sparked considerable agitation among its members.

According to information from orthodoxtimes.gr, the article that leaked from a specific media outlet in the USA has caused significant discontent within several monasteries of Mount Athos. The article claims that Archbishop Elpidophoros is deemed an “undesirable person” (persona non grata) in the Garden of the Virgin Mary, stirring unrest among the Athonite monks.

According to the letter that orthodoxtimes.gr brings to light today, the Athonite Community does not mention at any point its intention to rebel and, therefore, not to welcome Archbishop Elpidophoros.

The letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was sent on December 15/28 of the previous year.

The tone and substance of the letter, for anyone who knows to read, are unequivocal. It is short, simple and clear. The photos published after the now well-known baptism of the child of a same-sex couple give the wrong impression about the stance of the Church on same-sex marriage.

This was the “objection” of the Athonites, which can in no way be considered as a refusal to welcome a Hierarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, no matter how much some seek to “read behind the lines”.

This letter, according to credible sources within the Athonite Community, does not pertain to Archbishop Elpidophoros. Rather, it voices concerns about the confusion of a same-sex couple’s baptism photos amid ongoing societal debates in Greece on same-sex marriage and adoption.

The same sources, that spoke to Orthodox Times, suggest that the letter’s genesis lies within a specific monastery, seeking to express its concerns after Archbishop Elpidophoros’s visit and deliberately orchestrating its leak to a chosen media outlet.

It would be followed by its reproduction – as it was – by the well-known blogs that are used to republishing “church news”.

Contrary to the insinuations of the letter, several circles from the Archdiocese, invited to comment on the fact the Archbishop was deemed as “undesirable”, highlight widespread enthusiasm surrounding Archbishop Elpidophoros’s visit. They underline the excitement on both sides of the Atlantic due to the visit’s program and the large accompanying delegation.

Regarding the article disseminated by a Greek diaspora media outlet in New York, which was also reproduced by some Greek websites, circles within the Archdiocese dismiss it as an expected attempt at disinformation. They perceive this as a systematic effort of the same author who serves the plans of those who fiercely seek to undermine relations between the Greek diaspora, the Greek state, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, specifically targeting Archbishop Elpidophoros.

In their statement, the Holy Community firmly declares, “Any form of marriage or adoption that contradicts evangelical teachings and the enduring traditions of our pious nation and heritage stands in complete opposition to us, particularly concerning the sanctity of the traditional family.”

Read the full announcement below:

Following recent discussions regarding the Greek Government’s proposal to legalize marriage for same-sex couples and their potential adoption of children, our Holy Community voices profound concern echoed by all Athonite Fathers.

Mount Athos, a sanctuary of prayer and asceticism, holds a humble reverence for all humanity as the divine image. Yet, we express our deep distress and concern regarding the proposed legislation.

We emphasize unequivocally through this announcement that any form of marriage or adoption that contradicts evangelical teachings and the enduring traditions of our pious nation and heritage stands in complete opposition to us, particularly concerning the sanctity of the traditional family.

We earnestly implore the Greek Government to reconsider the announced legislation, as it opposes the evangelical doctrines. We beseech the Most Holy Theotokos, the Protector of our homeland and Mount Athos, to intercede to our Lord Jesus Christ for the guidance of all towards repentance and a life in accordance with the divine light of the Gospel and God’s teachings.

All Representatives and Overseers present at the Joint Meeting of the twenty Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos.

Rosen Zhelyazkov, along with the accompanying delegation, engaged in discussions with the leadership of Mount Athos on the commemoration of the day marking the liberation of Mount Athos from Ottoman rule, as per an official statement from the Bulgarian parliament.

The Bulgarian delegation attended the liturgy at the Protaton Church in Karyes, the capital of Mount Athos, as a part of their ceremonial visit for the feast of St. George the Great Martyr at the Zograf Monastery.

Zhelyazkov commended the multifaceted endeavors of Mount Athos in service to the Orthodox Church and its contributions to fostering peace and stability in the global Orthodox community. “We wholeheartedly support the efforts to uphold spirituality, faith, and the teachings of God, which render Mount Athos an eminent pilgrimage destination for individuals worldwide,” stated the Speaker of the National Assembly. He expressed Bulgaria’s commitment to supporting the profound spiritual work on Mount Athos and willingness to collaborate further for the betterment of the Orthodox Church. Additionally, he expressed his gratification for the delegation’s participation in the celebration of the Holy Great Martyr George at the Zograf Monastery, an event deeply intertwined with Bulgarian history.

Subsequently, the Bulgarian delegation is scheduled to visit the monastery and engage in discussions with the monastic brotherhood. While Zhelyazkov will return to Bulgaria, the members of parliament will attend the Vespers service and vigil at the monastery.

On November 16, the deputies will participate in the liturgy on the occasion of the feast of the Monastery and will participate in the procession of the miraculous icon of St. George.

Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas

The Abbot, who is visiting the neighboring country, participated on Sunday in the Athonite vigil held at the Holy Monastery of Saints Kosmas and Damianos in Pernik, Bulgaria, in memory of Saint Silouanos the Athonite.

It is noted that the trial has been postponed until the end of the month because the victim was absent. The perpetrator was, therefore, set free.

The 53-year-old monk is hospitalzed in Thesaloniki.

“I could barely recognize him. He has bandages on his head and has an oxygen mask on,” the victim’s attorney stated.

It is recalled that the incident took place at the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos.

The perpetrator was charged for causing serious body injuries. During the preliminary hearing, he claimed that he was drunk when the incident occurred.

The incident took place at the Hilandar Monastery yesterday evening.

The perpetrator, a 25-year-old monk from Romania, was arrested in a fast-track process, whilst the victim, a 53-year-old monk from Belarus, is hospitalised as he has head injuries.

The monk was charged for causing serious body injuries. It is reported that he would be brought before a judge in Thessaloniki soon. During the preliminary hearing, he claimed that he was drunk when the incident occured.

Father Stefanos of the Hilandar Monastery took over the duties of Protepistate for the following year from the outgoing Fr. Christoforos of the Iviron Monastery.

The other three members of the Holy Epistasia are Fr. Pavlos of the Xeropotamos Monastery, Fr. Nikodemos of the Monastery of St. Paul and Fr. Paisios of the Monastery of St. Gregory.

Elder Nikodemos of the Monastery of Great Lavra took the Rod of the Protos, the symbols and the seals of the Holy Epistasia and handed them over to the new Protepistate.

The government was represented by the Minister of National Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis, while the ceremony was attended by civil governor of Mount Athos Athanasios Martinos, the civil deputy governor Aristos Kasmiroglou, Regional Governor of Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas, former Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos, representatives of the twenty monasteries, guests and monks.

A meeting of the New Holy Epistasia took place and issues and the planning of the following year were discussed.

According to a post on the monastery’s Facebook page, Archimandrite Bartholomew states that “despite the complaint in April 2022 and the related attempt to challenge by various, Russians continued to “canonically” raise Russian flags on Mount Athos.”

They visited the Temple and then the archontariki. They talked with the Abbot of the Monastery Arch. Bartholomew, who conveyed to them the support and continuous prayer of the Athonite fathers to the Ukrainian People for the just struggle they are making to defend their homeland against the unholy Russian invasion.

Abbot Bartholomew said goodbye to the Ukrainian pilgrims with the following wish: “I pray that Virgin Mary brings peace again to Ukraine. Despite the Golgotha that you are going up at this moment, be sure that you will soon taste the joy of the Resurrection!”

His disappearance was reported yesterday afternoon, at the police station of Mount Athos, in Karyes, by a monk of the cell, where the 60-year-old lived (he belongs to the Monastery of the Great Lavra).

Police officers with a specially trained dog participated in the investigations, while the Fire Brigade was also asked for assistance.

Volunteers – rescuers of OFKATH are expected to visit the area today to assist in the search with technical means, such as drones and thermal cameras.