Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece attended an event in Athens on Monday marking 50 years since the current brotherhood settled at Xenophontos Monastery on Mount Athos and Archimandrite Alexios became its Abbot.
The event, entitled “In One Spirit,” was held at the Alexandra Trianti Hall of the Athens Concert Hall.
Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon attended as the representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, while Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Nikos Papaioannou represented Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Dozens of hierarchs were also present, along with the Governor and Deputy Governor of Mount Athos, government ministers, political figures, clergy and laypeople.
Greek President Tasoulas highlights the role of Mount Athos
President Tasoulas referred to the renewal of the brotherhood of Xenophontos Monastery in 1976, when 15 young monks arrived from Meteora, and highlighted Elder Alexios’ five decades as Abbot.
“With prudence, gentleness and dedication, with humility and vision, he has inspired and continues to inspire monks and pilgrims,” the President said.
Tasoulas described Mount Athos as a spiritual beacon and guardian of Orthodox and cultural tradition, while stressing that monasticism should not be understood as withdrawal from humanity.
“Monastic life does not mean inactive idleness, but the integration of the everyday aspects of life into the truth of Christ,” he said.
Referring specifically to Xenophontos Monastery, the President described it as a place of “silence, prayer and inner reflection,” as well as “consolation, understanding and compassion,” where tradition is not simply preserved but remains alive.
He expressed the hope that the monastery would continue to serve as a “beacon of Orthodox spirituality, peace and hope.”
Archbishop Ieronymos: Monasticism must resist secularization
Archbishop Ieronymos reflected on the transformation of Athonite monasticism over the past half-century, noting that when Elder Alexios arrived at Xenophontos, the monastic population of Mount Athos had declined considerably.
His arrival, together with that of other brotherhoods during the same period, contributed to the revival of monastic life on Mount Athos, the Archbishop said.
He also highlighted Elder Alexios’ contribution to the establishment and support of monastic communities outside Mount Athos and his spiritual guidance of laypeople.
Archbishop Ieronymos said the anniversary should also provide an opportunity to consider the future of monasticism in a society increasingly shaped by convenience, the removal of limits and the desire to obtain things without physical effort or ascetic struggle.
By contrast, he said, the ascetic ideal proposes a radically different way of life, summarized in the saying: “You will not receive the Spirit unless you give blood.”
“Faced with this challenge of our time, monasticism can make a decisive contribution, provided that it does not succumb to the temptation of secularization,” Archbishop Ieronymos stressed.
Messages from Ecumenical Patriarch and Greek Prime Minister
Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon read a message from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, while Deputy Education Minister Nikos Papaioannou conveyed a message from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Elder Nikodimos also addressed the gathering on behalf of the Holy Community of Mount Athos.
A discussion on the history and work of the brotherhood, both within and beyond Mount Athos, brought together Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Iraklio and Chalcedon; Archimandrite Elissaios, Abbot of Simonopetra Monastery; former Greek Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos; and Pavlos Efthymiou, General Director of the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association. Journalist Vassilis Chiotis moderated the discussion.
A documentary edited by journalist Andreas Loudaros was also screened, featuring rare archival material, testimonies and previously unpublished photographs documenting the brotherhood’s 50-year history.
Elder Alexios: Unity is a gift of the Holy Spirit
Concluding the event, Archimandrite Alexios thanked those who attended and reflected on the brotherhood’s journey since 1976.
He described five decades marked by struggles, trials, hard work and illness, but also by joy and blessings.
“The grace of God protects us, richly bestows grace upon us and guides us,” he said.
Elder Alexios also recalled an incident from 1979 that he believes demonstrated divine providence. While sitting in a vehicle in a forested area belonging to the monastery, he said he suddenly heard an inner voice telling him, “Get out.”
Seconds after he left the vehicle, an axle and wheels from another vehicle broke loose and struck the place where he had been sitting, crushing the vehicle.
“God’s providence truly saved me from certain death,” he said, adding that the experience strengthened his commitment to his mission and his belief in the protection of Saint George, the patron saint of Xenophontos Monastery.
Reflecting on the theme of the anniversary, Elder Alexios said the brotherhood had sought throughout the past 50 years to live in harmony, asceticism, prayer and repentance.
Unity, he stressed, “is not simply a human journey together, but a gift of the Holy Spirit.”
He concluded by describing the gathering not as a personal anniversary but as “glorification of God” and an occasion to give thanks for the brotherhood’s 50-year journey.
Photos: Christos Bonis
