ENGLISH VERSION: Even if we have to use our own blood to defend the konaki, we will do it. Esfigmenou monastery press release
http://www.portal- credo.ru/ site/print. php?act=news&id= 102294
http://www.portal- credo.ru/ site/print. php?act=news&id= 102294
http://www.portal- credo.ru/ site/print. php?act=news&id= 102294
HOLY MONASTERY ESFIGMENOU
17 JULY 2013
MOUNT ATHOS
17 JULY 2013
MOUNT ATHOS
Today we were given an order to evacuate our Konaki (Administration Centre) in Karies (Building B).
Our reply is "Molon Lave" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molon_labe)
We will not leave from our Konaki so that the new brotherhood (phony
Esphigmenou) will do "restoration works" in order to justify receiving
European Union subsidies.
The Konaki is the place of our repentance and we are living in it as a
brotherhood for centuries, many monks first went there at a very young
age around fifty years ago, and now they have to go.
We will not allow this to happen even if it is the last thing we will do.
We have not asked for anything, other than to be left in our peace.
They can take their European subsidies since they care so much about
them, but they should leave us in our prayer. But as it seems, we are
being an obstacle to them, more that we originally thought.
Following our 11th of July 2013 Press Release, we hereby state that:
We will never - of our own will - surrender our Konaki to the
Katsoulierides (phony Esphigmenites) whereby - overnight - they baptised
themselves as the "New Holy Esfigmenou Monastery", against the Holy
Mountain Charter rules and regulations.
Although they have tried to acquire the Konaki using crowbars and
large hammers, they are now attempting it again using legalistic orders
of evacuation and the help of the police.
We
state that, even if we have to use our own blood to defend the konaki,
we will do it. We have pleaded for prudence and peace within Mount
Athos.
Some consider our lives as collateral damage, but we the 108 monks of
the Historic Holy Esfigmenou Monastery, we will never surrender our
Konaki as long as we are alive.
The decisions are yours......
With honour,
Press Office of the Historic Holy Esfigmenou Monastery Mount Athos