“Monastic life is applied Theology” stressed the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in a written message, at the 5th International Scientific Laboratory of the Mount Athos Center of Thessaloniki, which was broadcasted online by Metropolitan Nikiforos of Amori.
“The holy monasteries of Mount Athos have become and remain places of creativity and spiritual dynamism, knowledge and cultivation of ascetic ethos, production and preservation of works of doxological art,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch.
“It is no coincidence that Mount Athos has been written in golden letters in the history of spirituality and culture and its contribution is universally recognized,” the Ecumenical Patriarch continued, emphasizing that every visitor realizes that “the tradition of Orthodoxy is not a thing of the past but is alive and life-giving “.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew underlined that in modern times, as selfish phenomena and behaviors are observed, the devaluation of values and the “repulsion or even loss of the transcendental order”, the evangelical message of monasticism “is the voice and gift of Heaven”.
“The stronghold of Orthodox monasticism is the Athonite state,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch and continued: “The source of this high civilization is the unconditional offering of the self, the unconditional devotion of the monk in Jesus Christ and his Kingdom”.
The Ecumenical Patriarch noted that every effort to promote the spirituality and cultural wealth of Mount Athos is important for the world culture and social life and congratulated the organizers “for the initiative of holding the event online, due to the pandemic” giving his wishes for the success of the work and for the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.
