For Immediate
Release: July 29, 2013
CORRECTING THE RECORD ON THE ATTACKS
TODAY AGAINST THE ESPHIGMENOU MONKS
ATHENS, GREECE --
Statement from John Rigas, President of Friends of Esphigmenou Monastery on Mt.
Athos:
"I just spoke with one of the Esphigmenou monks, Father
Sava, and want to correct the record about the ongoing attacks against the
monastery today.
This morning, a group of around 20 large armed men armed
attacked the Esphigmenou monastery building in Karyes, Mt. Athos where the monks
were engaged in quiet prayer. This is the 12th day that the monastery has
been under siege. The monks twice asked for the men to leave in peace after a
city clerk attempted to serve them with eviction papers. Then the 20 large men
attempted to smash their way into the monastery building with a construction
bulldozer. As you can see in the video, uniformed Greek police stood around
while a bulldozer attacked the property and attempted to smash down the front
door:
(Preview)
This bulldozer came within 15 centimeters of killing a
defenseless monk (who was behind the door and did sustain injuries) with its
steel blade .
Contrary to media reports, they did NOT throw any
bombs. I specifically asked Fr. Sava about these alleged “bombs” and he
said that they do not have bombs and did not throw any bombs. It appears Greek
government officials are trying to cover up their complicity in these lawless
and criminal activities by spreading false reports to media outlet now that
their nefarious activity has been exposed. The video of the attack shows that
there is no evidence of bombs or aggressive action by the monks.
UPDATE: More than 80 armed Greek police currently surround
monastery building filled with peaceful monks who only want to be left alone to
pray. Now the government has cut off their water supply. The monks continue to
pray for peace and ask for the prayers of the faithful and appeal to the Mother
of God for protection.
Monks at Esphigmenou have already died at the hands of the
government due to lack of food, water and medical supplies. Now the government
almost killed a monk today with a bulldozer. The Greek government needs to focus
on getting its economy back on track -- wasting taxpayer Euros on persecuting
innocent monks needs to stop today.”
UPDATE: July 29, 2013:
ESPHIGMENOU MONASTERY PROPERTY UNDER ATTACK!!
PLEASE CALL/EMAIL EVERYONE ON THIS LIST TO DEMAND THE GREEK GOVERNMENT STOP
THESE VIOLENT ACTS AGAINST PEACEFUL MONKS.
| 1) Mr. Antonis Samaras | Prime Minister of Greece | E-mail: dialogue@politicalforum.gr |
| Telephone 011-30-210-338-5491 (private office number) | Fax: 011-30-210-323-8129 |
| 2) Mr. Venizelos | Foreign Minister of Greece | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Telephone 011-30-210-368-1812
Main number:
011-30-210-368-1000
|
Fax: 011-30-210-368-1433 | 5 Vassilissis, Sophias Av, 106 71 Athens, Greece |
|
3) Patriarch
Bartholomew
|
Ecumenical Patriarch of
Constantinople
|
|
| Tel: +90-212-635-4022 or +90-212-531-9670 | Fax. +90-212-5349037 |
| Ask to speak to the Patriarch himself, and express your opposition to the unchristian embargo of Food, Medicine and Fuel to Esphigmenou Monastery on Mt Athos, and to the Patriarch's demand for the Monks eviction by the Greek Police. |
| 4) Civil Administration of Mount Athos (on the ground directing and enforcing the blockade). Have not stood up to protest these unchristian and unlawful actions |
|
| 5) Holy Community (Iera Epistasia) Acquiesced under enormous pressure from Patriarch to vote to evict monks and set up imposter monastery. |
| Fax: 011-30-23770-23315 |
| 6) Police in Daphni - local police enforcing blockade under orders from Civil Administration and Minister of Foreign Affairs. |
| tel/fax: 011-30-23770-23222 (call and ask to send a fax and they will turn on the machine) |
| 7) Police in Karyes - local police enforcing blockade under orders from Civil Administration and Minister of Foreign Affairs. They have seized, and continue to have in their possession, the monastery's tractor which is their only means of getting food. |
| tel: 011-30-23770-23212 fax: 011-30-23770-23260 |
July 29,
2013
Πράσινο φως κυβερνήσεως για αστυνομική επέμβαση στο κονάκι της Ιεράς Μονής
Εσφιγμένου Αγίου Όρους;
Πληροφορίες θέλουν την Κυβέρνηση να έχει δώσει πράσινο φως για επέμβαση
αστυνομική εναντίον μοναχών εντός Αγίου Όρους. Έχει αναλογιστεί η κυβέρνηση ότι
θα ποτίσει με αίμα μοναχών το χώμα του Αγίου Όρους. Στο κονάκι εγκαταβιούμε εδώ
και δεκαετίες έχουμε το δίκιο με το μέρος μας και σας παρακαλούμε να επαναφέρετε
την ησυχία και την ηρεμία στο Όρος. Ας επέμβει η πολιτική ηγεσία να ηρεμήσει τα
πνεύματα ... ΜΙΛΑΜΕ ΓΙΑ ΜΟΝΑΧΟΥΣ ΕΓΚΛΩΒΙΣΜΕΝΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΑΡΚΩΣ ΣΕ ΑΜΥΝΑ ΤΑ
ΤΕΛΕΥΤΑΙΑ ΔΕΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΟΧΙ ΓΙΑ ΕΓΚΛΗΜΑΤΙΕΣ ... ΕΛΕΟΣ
Μετά Τιμής
Γραφείο Τύπου
Ιεράς Μονής Εσφιγμένου - Άγιο Όρος
Γραφείο Τύπου
Ιεράς Μονής Εσφιγμένου - Άγιο Όρος
