By Theodoros Kalmoukos
January 3, 2024
The National Herald
With a catapult decision - it is without precedent - Mount Athos by unanimous decision of all the Monasteries, sent a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is their canonical Bishop, informing him in a respectful way that Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is not welcome to visit the Monastic State during the third ten days of January.
The Representatives and Superiors of the Sacred Monasteries explain the reasons, which go back to what was said during the baptism of the children of the same-sex couple from America, Evangelos Bousis and Peter Douda, on July 9, 2022, in the Sacred Church of Panagia Faneromeni in the Metropolis of Voula.
The Representatives of the Monasteries write that, "we regret to have found, through the published photographs of the Archbishop of America, after the end of the mystery, a wrong impression was created regarding the acceptance by the Church of the mystery of marriage by individuals of the same sex, a message contrary to the doctrines and teaching of the Orthodox Church."
They appeal to the Patriarch "that you lend a listening ear to our concern on the extremely sensitive subject, which concerns the integrity of our faith and orthodox traditions."
Information given to the "National Herald" from Mount Athos states that the Sacred Community and the Sacred Supervisory are not going to welcome Mr. Elpidophoros with the usual typikon for Archbishops. The Monasteries and the Fathers living in asceticism in them have entered into a difficult position because they cannot shut the door, as they said to an Orthodox Hierarch, that is why through their letter they are addressing Patriarch Bartholomew to recommend to Archbishop Elpidophoros not to enter Mount Athos, as they believe that he will be photographed there with his expatriate companions to show that he is accepted by the Monks.
The "National Herald" is in a position to know that a few months ago he asked to go to Mount Athos to attend a Monastery celebration, but was told that he was unwelcome.
In his visit to Thessaloniki, he will be accompanied by a group of Greek-Americans, while he is scheduled to give a speech at an Israeli Association and to ordain a young man from Mexico, whom he will appoint to the community of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Corona, New York to do a "mission" among to Hispanics in the area. The ordination will take place in Greece because the American authorities did not approve the visa of the relatives of the future candidate for ordination to travel to America. That priest he had appointed a few months ago could not stay and left.
The letter from Mount Athos to Patriarch Bartholomew is as follows:
Karyes on December 15/28, 2023
To His Most Divine All-Holiness
The Ecumenical Patriarch
Lord lord Bartholomew
Our All-Revered Father and Master
January 3, 2024
The National Herald
With a catapult decision - it is without precedent - Mount Athos by unanimous decision of all the Monasteries, sent a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is their canonical Bishop, informing him in a respectful way that Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is not welcome to visit the Monastic State during the third ten days of January.
The Representatives and Superiors of the Sacred Monasteries explain the reasons, which go back to what was said during the baptism of the children of the same-sex couple from America, Evangelos Bousis and Peter Douda, on July 9, 2022, in the Sacred Church of Panagia Faneromeni in the Metropolis of Voula.
The Representatives of the Monasteries write that, "we regret to have found, through the published photographs of the Archbishop of America, after the end of the mystery, a wrong impression was created regarding the acceptance by the Church of the mystery of marriage by individuals of the same sex, a message contrary to the doctrines and teaching of the Orthodox Church."
They appeal to the Patriarch "that you lend a listening ear to our concern on the extremely sensitive subject, which concerns the integrity of our faith and orthodox traditions."
Information given to the "National Herald" from Mount Athos states that the Sacred Community and the Sacred Supervisory are not going to welcome Mr. Elpidophoros with the usual typikon for Archbishops. The Monasteries and the Fathers living in asceticism in them have entered into a difficult position because they cannot shut the door, as they said to an Orthodox Hierarch, that is why through their letter they are addressing Patriarch Bartholomew to recommend to Archbishop Elpidophoros not to enter Mount Athos, as they believe that he will be photographed there with his expatriate companions to show that he is accepted by the Monks.
The "National Herald" is in a position to know that a few months ago he asked to go to Mount Athos to attend a Monastery celebration, but was told that he was unwelcome.
In his visit to Thessaloniki, he will be accompanied by a group of Greek-Americans, while he is scheduled to give a speech at an Israeli Association and to ordain a young man from Mexico, whom he will appoint to the community of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Corona, New York to do a "mission" among to Hispanics in the area. The ordination will take place in Greece because the American authorities did not approve the visa of the relatives of the future candidate for ordination to travel to America. That priest he had appointed a few months ago could not stay and left.
The letter from Mount Athos to Patriarch Bartholomew is as follows:
Karyes on December 15/28, 2023
To His Most Divine All-Holiness
The Ecumenical Patriarch
Lord lord Bartholomew
Our All-Revered Father and Master
At the Phanar
All Holy Father and Master,
By means of this letter under our sacred common seal, we proceed, on the occasion of the upcoming visit of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to the State of the Holy Mountain, to submit before Your All-Holiness the concern of our Holy Community with reference to the events during the rite of the mystery of baptism of the children of a "same-sex couple", which took place in the Sacred Church of Panagia Faneromeni in Vouliagmeni.
We regret to have found, through the published photographs of the Archbishop of America, after the end of the mystery, a wrong impression was created regarding the acceptance by the Church of the mystery of marriage by individuals of the same sex, a message contrary to the doctrines and teaching of the Orthodox Church. This event, contrary to the gospel teaching, provokes the intense concern of our Holy Community.
Therefore, Your All-Holiness, we beg you filially, that you lend a listening ear to our concern on the extremely sensitive subject, which concerns the integrity of our faith and orthodox traditions.
Nevertheless, entrusted to Your wise judgement, we ask for Your Paternal blessings on the feasts of the Holy Twelve Days and the coming Baptism of the Lord, with filial devotion, kissing Your august Right hand with profound reverence.
All Holy Father and Master,
By means of this letter under our sacred common seal, we proceed, on the occasion of the upcoming visit of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to the State of the Holy Mountain, to submit before Your All-Holiness the concern of our Holy Community with reference to the events during the rite of the mystery of baptism of the children of a "same-sex couple", which took place in the Sacred Church of Panagia Faneromeni in Vouliagmeni.
We regret to have found, through the published photographs of the Archbishop of America, after the end of the mystery, a wrong impression was created regarding the acceptance by the Church of the mystery of marriage by individuals of the same sex, a message contrary to the doctrines and teaching of the Orthodox Church. This event, contrary to the gospel teaching, provokes the intense concern of our Holy Community.
Therefore, Your All-Holiness, we beg you filially, that you lend a listening ear to our concern on the extremely sensitive subject, which concerns the integrity of our faith and orthodox traditions.
Nevertheless, entrusted to Your wise judgement, we ask for Your Paternal blessings on the feasts of the Holy Twelve Days and the coming Baptism of the Lord, with filial devotion, kissing Your august Right hand with profound reverence.
The entire joint Synaxis of Representatives and Superiors
of the twenty Sacred Monasteries of the Holy Mountain of Athos.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.