Armed Greek Police plan to forcibly remove monks

Press Release from the Esphigmenou Monastery, Mt. Athos ^ | 10/20/06 | John Rigas

[gimmeone]

Thessalonica, Greece, October 20, 2006 - The Greek Government will move, as early as this weekend, to have armed police forcibly remove the monks of the Holy and Sacred Monastery of Esphigmenou from their monastery property. Over 150 police have been deployed on Mt. Athos, an unprecedented number in a community entirely populated by peaceful and defenseless monks.

The monks, who seek only a life of peace and prayer in their monastery, have been subject to a non-stop campaign of official harassment and intimidation by Patriarch Bartholomew of Istanbul, Turkey, and his accomplices in the Greek government, because of a spiritual disagreement they have with him.

This week the Greek government announced it would prosecute the monks for embezzlement. This is a fundamental abuse of power that may be commonplace in the world’s most repressive dictatorships, but not something we expect from a free and democratic Greece. The charge lacks credibility, as it seems the prosecutor has forgotten that in an earlier round of the government’s campaign of harassment and intimidation, they confiscated and emptied all of the monastery’s bank accounts.

The Greek Government, acting under Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis, has blockaded the delivery of food, medicine, fuel oil and have denied access to doctors seeking to provide urgently needed medical care to the elderly monks. They have cut the monastery’s telephone lines in a clumsy attempt to cut off their communication and hide their persecution from the outside world. They have confiscated their tractors so they cannot grow food to sustain themselves. They have expelled workers who have worked at the monastery for years, and voided their pensions and government benefits for providing help to the monastery.

The abuses of human rights to it own citizens by the Greek government and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis, could go on for pages.

Last week, in a display of judicial backwardness found only in banana republics, the Greek Court in Thessalonica found the monks guilty of the absurd charge of “disturbing the peace” and of being illegal occupants of their monastery home for 1500 years, while simultaneously allowing those who attacked the monks with sledgehammers to go free.

As Patriarch Bartholomew and the government of Greece descend further into the pit of backwardness and medieval religious persecution, the protests from religious leaders and lay people around the world are growing. On October 13th, Bishop Stephen, primate of the Italo-Greek Orthodox church, wrote to Patriarch Bartholomew “your treatment and persecution of the monks of Esphigmenou is a scandal to the Church and an embarrassment to all Orthodox Christians throughout the world. It sullies the good name of the Orthodox Church . . . Such behavior and acts are barbaric and take us back to the Dark Ages and for this Your All-Holiness should be deeply ashamed”

In the history of the church over 23 Patriarchs of Constantinople have been condemned for heresy.

This weekend, Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Mt. Athos to lay a cornerstone for a new monastery, on land confiscated from the monastery of Esphigmenou. In an unprecedented move, the Greek government has banned all media outlets from covering the Patriarch’s visit to Mt. Athos. Only the Greek State owned and controlled TV station will be allowed to cover his visit. It is expected that armed police will forcibly remove the monks before the Patriarch's visit to fulfill his desire of a Disney-like atmosphere, where everything looks nice on the surface, but in reality is all fake.

The Greek Prosecutors office in Thessalonica, headed by Vassilis Florides (tel: +30-697-388-5888), has threatened grave consequences to anyone who dares to raise their voice to protest the Patriarch’s actions.

For More Information Contact John Rigas +1-617-971-0091

On the net at www.esphigmenou.com

[A. Pole]

This situation is sad and difficult, but bear in mind that these monks are protesting against the right of the Patriarch to have discussions with other Christian Faiths -- a right that all of us lay-people take for granted here on FR! Who are these monks to tell the Patriarch that he can't talk to you or your church leaders? And broadcasting it from an Orthodox monastery on Mt. Athos?

I will look it up on Google what these monks are about. Will be back in few minutes.

[A. Pole]

I will look it up on Google what these monks are about. Will be back in few minutes.

Hey, it was quick! These are the explanations by the monks themselves:

"WHAT THE DISPUTE IS ABOUT AND WHY THE MONKS ARE RIGHT"

Initial passages from this site (I did not look at the links listed there yet):

"The fathers of Esphigmenou struggle against the heresy of ecumenism which states that there is no one church which possesses the Truth. The Orthodox Church believes, as the monks of Esphigmenou Monastery believe, that the Church has never lost the Truth or its unity. The Nicene Creed states the Orthodox Church’s dogmatic basis, “I believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I believe in one baptism.” Ecumenism rejects these fundamental truths of the church by teaching that there are many churches and many baptisms.

The beliefs of ecumenism and the beliefs of Orthodoxy are mutually exclusive. You can either believe in the Creed or you can believe in ecumenism, not both. By embracing ecumenism Patriarch Bartholomew has embraced a belief in conflict with the teachings of the Orthodox Church. This is what the monks object to and what they wish to discuss with the Patriarch. There is not a single saint of the Church, ever, who believes in what Patriarch Bartholomew teaches and practices with regards to ecumenism, and this has caused great concern on the part of the monks. The Patriarch refuses to allay those concerns and refuses to engage in constructive dialogue with the monks. He has, however, demanded an apology in writing for questioning him."

[Bokababe]

"You're good, BB!"

Thanks, K, but in fact, I am not "good" at all. I am far too crabby for a good Christian. It's people like me who need God's Forgiveness most!

[Bokababe]

But, in fact, the Patriarch isn't "embracing ecumenism" theologically, is he? The Patriarch has no right to change the Faith. But the right to "dialogue" is within his perogative. And who are these monks to question that?

[Kolokotronis]

"I am far too crabby for a good Christian. It's people like me who need God's Forgiveness most!"

Ah, but you see, BB, that's why God gave us Balkan Mountain Bandits Orthodoxy...because we are very, very great sinners, probably the greatest. Handholding, kumbaya singing circle time religion just wouldn't cut it with the likes of us!

[Kolokotronis]

"But, in fact, the Patriarch isn't "embracing ecumenism" theologically, is he?"

Here is what the EP said in his salutation to the Orthodox delegates to the Orthodox/Roman Catholic dialog. I think it answers your question.

"The Ecumenical Patriarchate always wishes that the rapprochement of these two most ancient Churches and traditions will be realized and that all the obstacles of the unity of Christians will be overcome. Nevertheless, the Ecumenical Patriarchate does not accept the opinion that this unity, for which we are all working, will be realized by the common acceptance of a minimum of common faith, thus leaving all differences and difficulties aside, as a kind of acceptable variety. In this dialogue there are also issues that neither touch upon the faith, or on issues that the Ecumenical Synods have decided upon. These issues are allowed to be dealt with differently by the various local Christian communities. However, regarding the issues of faith, unity is necessary, and it must be pursued within the framework of the undivided, before the schism, Church. Furthermore, even if there are amongst our interlocutors some who pursue purposes other than the revelation of the truth, our attitude and position must, unfalteringly and without any passion, be towards the immovable goal, namely, the witnessing of the truth."

[Bokababe]

Forgive me, but at the moment, all I can see is that the monks have "better PR" than the Patriarch. I really have to read and understand a lot more, before I'd condemn the Patriarch on this.

What you posted is from the monks' website.

[A. Pole]

But, in fact, the Patriarch isn't "embracing ecumenism" theologically, is he? The Patriarch has no right to change the Faith. But the right to "dialogue" is within his perogative. And who are these monks to question that?

I just read first of their statements, this quote might be revealing what they have in mind:

"Keep in mind, what is now apparent, the official Union of the Churches, because the European Union is being rushed to complete a Unified Europe. Naturally within the framework of this convergence is also the topic of the Union of the Churches, a fact for which enourmous pressure has already been applied."

Seems that they are worried that the Patriarchate of Constantinonple is going the way of World Council of Churches and of Episcopalians.

"Gay marriage" also started with dialogue.

[A. Pole]

What you posted is from the monks' website.

Yes, It would be interesting if we could compare the arguments of each side one by one.

[sit-rep]

Don't be too worried about it. There are still some out here who see errors, but are more interested in the shared information...

[Quix]

Sounds pretty horrible, to me. Never did trust that government.

[annalex]

While there is little I'd wish to see more in my lifetime than a reunification of the Church, one has to question attempts at a purely political rapprochement that would merely gloss over the doctrines of faith.

Given the centralizing cultural tendencies evident in the EU, and the excesses of the "spirit of Vatican II" that shook the Catholic world, I think the Esphigmenou monks have a good reason to worry.

On a personal level, it is very hard not to sympathize with them.

[Kolokotronis]

"Seems that they are worried that the Patriarchate of Constantinonple is going the way of World Council of Churches and of Episcopalians."

Where in heaven's name did you get this idea from? And "gay marriage"? Apparently these schismatic monks will stop at nothing.

[Kolokotronis]

"On a personal level, it is very hard not to sympathize with them."

Quite the opposite for me, Alex.

As for the old monk, well, the consequences of disobedience have nothing to do with age. In any event, if he chooses obedience, Mt. Athos is filled with monasteries he can go to.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

"I have never once heard any Orthodox Christians refer to any of your Christian faiths with the level of disrespect that many of you so casually use on the Orthodox and "their little popes" (which isn't true anyway!)"

I understand your anger, but never? Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Byzantium, Greece, all were the great and ancient Bishropics of the church, each with its Archbishop. They were the in the front line of the Islamic invasion, and some barely survived that invasion.

[A. Pole]

Where in heaven's name did you get this idea from? And "gay marriage"?

From pondering on the history of Episcopalian Church. If someone feels at home in World Council of Churches and has good relations with progressive Episcopalians I would not be surprised if in the future the sheepskin fell down from the wolf.

Episcopalian Church underwent such evolution years earlier and the traditionalists were dismissed as kooks when they were predicting the outcome.

[Bokababe]

"I understand your anger, but never?"

I didn't say "it never happened", only that I had not witnessed it. I will admit that I haven't taken part in a lot of theological debates.

However, twice in about the last week, I politely listened while Orthodox Christianity has been trashed by posters with an off-handedness that completely astounds me. I would never talk about another Christian's Faith in that way if I saw it was their sincere belief -- and, finally this third time I blew.

[Kolokotronis]

"If someone feels at home in World Council of Churches and has good relations with progressive Episcopalians I would not be surprised if in the future the sheepskin fell down from the wolf.

Episcopalian Church underwent such evolution years earlier and the traditionalists were dismissed as kooks when they were predicting the outcome."

AP, Orthodoxy is most definately NOT Episcopalianism and the Orthodox Laity are NOT Episcopalians. As for feeling at home in the WCC, well there are some priests and hierarchs who maintain that the WCC needs Orthodox witness. Personally, I think the WCC needs Orthodoxy to give it a semblance of legitimacy, a legitimacy we should refuse to give them. The Russian Church has, I believe, pulled out of the WCC. The Antiochians here have left the NCC. It is likely that the GOA will do the same at its next clergy/laity conference if the Synod doesn't do it before. In the meantime there are members of the Patriarchial Synod in Constantinople who want out of the WCC and I predict that will come to a head within the next couple of years. I don't know what the other Orthodox Churches are doing, but I'll wager the people are no more happy with any relations with the WCC than you are (or I am) and for that reason alone Orthodoxy's days in the NCC and WCC are numbered.

As for "gay marriage", well, here's a link to what the SCOBA hierarchs said:

http://www.goarch.org/en/news/NewsDetail.asp?id=971

Not what I'd call a statement conducive to good relations with Episcopalian heretics, but then again, Episcopalians are not Orthodox and what they do in their little coven is really none of our business.

[A. Pole]

I think the WCC needs Orthodoxy to give it a semblance of legitimacy

I think that the reverse might be true. Those who join WCC undermine their own legitimacy.

If you think that your Faith is true, aren't you worried that those who sincerely search for Truth will be turned away because you belong to this organization? It is written:

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (Jn:10:27) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (Jn:10:5)

[Rocketman]

Whether the man call him self such or not he is the titualar head of the greek otthodox church and calles the shots -- Luther was and is the Pope of Lutheranism. John Calvin was and is still the Pope of his denominations. Pat Roberston is the pope of his following.Same difference. the Pope is the head of some form of man made imitation of the sanhedrin -- in the catholic church that is the council of bishops etc. but the Pope's word is law even in intradiction to scripture -- the popr has the power tocreate traditions out of whole cloth which all of the above do.