Romfea.gr has reported on November 19th, 2010 that the Holy Community of Mount Athos is troubled by the Ecumenical Patriarchate sending hierarchical representatives to the schismatics of old Esphigmenou Monastery, and they have expressed their concerns in a letter sent to the Phanar.
Presently there are 45 or more dissenter monks at old Esphigmenou who are occupying the monastery.
In the letter, the Athonite fathers are asking the Ecumenical Patriarchate to notify them before sending hierarchical representatives to old Esphigmenou. Archimandrite Chrysostomos, abbot of new Esphigmenou Monastery, met this past week with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (pictured above) and expressed to him personally the same problem, which he agrees with.
Archimandrite Chrysostomos discussed with the Ecumenical Patriarch what exactly is the position of the Patriarchate regarding the visits of well-known Orthodox Metropolitans to old Esphigmenou, such as Theodoroupoleos of Germany, Michael of Austria and Chrysostomos of Myra.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew reiterated that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has a firm position regarding old Esphigmenou, but it is trying to find ways of resolving the issue.
Presently there are 45 or more dissenter monks at old Esphigmenou who are occupying the monastery.
In the letter, the Athonite fathers are asking the Ecumenical Patriarchate to notify them before sending hierarchical representatives to old Esphigmenou. Archimandrite Chrysostomos, abbot of new Esphigmenou Monastery, met this past week with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (pictured above) and expressed to him personally the same problem, which he agrees with.
Archimandrite Chrysostomos discussed with the Ecumenical Patriarch what exactly is the position of the Patriarchate regarding the visits of well-known Orthodox Metropolitans to old Esphigmenou, such as Theodoroupoleos of Germany, Michael of Austria and Chrysostomos of Myra.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew reiterated that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has a firm position regarding old Esphigmenou, but it is trying to find ways of resolving the issue.