Athonite monks speak out against governor over expulsion of monastics

Governor of Mount Athos Alkiviadis Stefanis. Photo: UOJ on Athos

The elders of the sketes of the Holy Mountain Athos issued an open letter against the actions of political administrator Alkiviadis Stefanis, who initiated a process of persecution and expulsion of certain monks from the monastic republic, reports the UOJ on Athos.

In their address, the Athonite fathers emphasized that the governor's decision to impose sanctions against the monks contradicts the centuries-old traditions of the Holy Mountain. They reminded that Athos is “not just a geographical point, but the domain of the Theotokos,” where monks serve Christ, not secular authorities.

"The tactics you, as the political governor on the Holy Mountain, have begun to employ to expel inconvenient monastics – to you and your superiors – are WRONG. We are not your soldiers, not your sergeants, not your officers, not objects to simply say 'yes, sir' and 'at your command.' We are free individuals," the letter states.

The fathers pointed out that the political governor's powers should be limited to overseeing public order and safety according to the Constitutional Charter of 1924, with no right to interfere in church and spiritual matters.

"As Athonite elders of the sketes, we accept and recognize the Holy Kinot as the highest administrative body on the Holy Mountain... We repeat to you: we are not afraid. We fear only Christ!" emphasized the Athonite monks.

This conflict raises serious questions about the boundaries between state authority and ecclesiastical autonomy on Athos.

Below is the full text of the Athonite Elders’ open letter:

Just as in the armed forces, of which you were once a member, there are established rules for their organization and proper functioning that everyone must follow, so too in the Athonite State, the holy fathers have established sacred canons over the centuries.

In our times, it has become commonplace for laymen to use inappropriate methods, violating established rules to climb to higher positions. Surely, from your own experience, you are familiar with the ways and methods necessary to rise in rank. However, do not forget that such approaches are unacceptable and inapplicable to the monks of the Holy Mountain.

On the Holy Mountain, monks are warriors of Christ, called to serve and protect what Christ Himself taught, whether certain HIGH-RANKING individuals like it or not. Do you realize where you are? You have come not to just any place, but to the Holy Mountain, the domain of the Theotokos. The Queen and Sovereign of the Athonite State is our Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of our Christ. You have personally witnessed that our Lady is alive and powerful. As a commander of ground forces, you were honored to see the power of the Theotokos when she saved the mechanic of an army helicopter that crashed in Sarantaporo near Elassona (April 19, 2017). Have you forgotten this miracle?

The methods you, as the political governor of the Holy Mountain, have begun to employ to expel inconvenient monastics – to you and your superiors – are WRONG. We are not your soldiers, not your sergeants, not your officers, not objects to simply say "yes, sir" and "at your command." We are free individuals.

As warriors of Christ, we possess freedom of religious conscience, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, courage, and faithfully follow the example of the God-Man Jesus Christ, who always spoke boldly before the rulers of this world.

The tactics of persecution – with vague slanderous accusations of "serious misconduct" – that you have begun to apply against the monks of the Holy Mountain are inappropriate. Perhaps such practices were common in the ground forces where you served. However, you and your supposed superiors are mistaken. You are not dealing with civilians or military personnel whose thinking and behavior are known to your advisors, making it easy for you to persecute them due to the predictability of their actions.

In the Athonite State, monks are warriors of Christ who do not obey your orders, do not belong to you, and do not fear you... for they fear only Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos, the Unconquerable Commander.

We would like to believe that during your short time in office as the political governor, you have come to understand this! If not, we believe you should come to this realization...

We want to inform you that just as you seek to learn the details of each monk's life, be assured that we, too, with God's help, are aware of all the details of the political governors' lives and careers, including yours... And you would do well to understand this as well...

As Athonite elders of the sketes, we recognize the Holy Kinot as the sole highest administrative body on the Holy Mountain.

The competence of each political governor, as well as your own authority, must be limited to overseeing public order and safety (according to Article 3 of the Legislative Decree of 1926) in accordance with the Constitutional Charter (K.H.A.O. 1924)... without interference in church and spiritual matters...

We repeat to you: we are not afraid. We fear only Christ! It would be wise for you to fear the judgment of our Leader and Lord Jesus Christ.

Athonite elders of the sketes.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Holy Kinot of Athos appealed to the Greek authorities regarding digital documents.

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