UOC hierarch clarifies whether it is now possible to visit Athos

Believers can visit Athos temples but cannot participate in the Sacraments there

The Eucharistic communion, but not prayerful, is ceased with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Archbishop Jonah (Cherepanov) explained.

Believers can visit the temples of Athos, but not participate in the Sacraments. On October 16, the chairman of the Synodal Department for Youth Affairs Archbishop Jonah (Cherepanov) said in a commentary to his post on Facebook.

His Grace Jonah, who is now on Mount Athos, explained that "for the time being, we have ceased the Eucharistic communion, but not prayerful, with the Patriarchate of Constantinople".

In addition, the hierarch said that "the Greek Monastery of Dokhiar on Mount Athos especially commemorates Metropolitan Onufry and his flock at all the Litanies (at the Vespers, Matins, and at the Liturgy)."

The ROC stated on Tuesday that believers are not forbidden to worship shrines in the churches of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, including the monasteries of Athos.

As the UOJ reported, on October 15, 2018, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church recognized any further Eucharistic communion with the Constantinople Patriarchate as no longer possible. The ROC also stated that the attempt of the Constantinople Patriarchate to decide the fate of the UOC without its consent is an anticanonical encroachment.

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