Archbishop Elpidophoros unveils programme for visit to Mount Athos

Catholic Bishop Oscar Solis (left) and Archbishop Elpidophoros. Photo: sltrib.com

The press office of the head of the Phanariot Archdiocese in the United States has published the programme of Archbishop Elpidophoros' visit to Mount Athos.

According to the press release, Archbishop Elpidophoros intends to visit the Holy Mountain in the second half of January, despite the opposition of all Athonite monasteries to the visit.

On January 18, Archbishop Elpidophoros will begin his visit with the Xenophontos Monastery, whose abbot was present at Dumenko's "enthronement" in Kyiv. In Xenophont, Elpidoforos will officiate at the vigil and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of the Epiphany as well as the blessing of the waters on January 19.

On 20 January, the Archbishop and his accompanying pilgrims, about 40 people in number, will visit the Holy Monastery of Philotheou, whose hegumen and brothers do not recognise the OCU. As explained in the press service of Elpidophoros, the visit to Philotheou is connected with Geronda Ephraim of Philotheou, who founded more than 10 Orthodox monasteries in the United States.

On January 21, the Archbishop will attend the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of Philotheou. On the same day, the Archbishop and the pilgrims will visit the Holy Monastery of Pantokrator. known for its sympathies to the OCU.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Athonite monasteries opposed Archbishop Elpidophoros' visit to Athos.

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