By Hieromonk Nikitas of the Pantokrator Monastery
Various websites have stirred up much commotion regarding the forthcoming visit of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, to Mount Athos. Through their publications, they have spread discord within the ranks of the Holy Mountain and the Church in general. Misinformation has become commonplace, and naturally, this issue is no exception.
One publication states that the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine has not been recognized by Mount Athos. This assertion is absurd and reveals the author’s ignorance. Mount Athos is not an independent church that decides whether to recognize another church. Mount Athos belongs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which has been in communion with the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine since its establishment on December 15, 2018. Any opposition expressed is merely the personal opinion of individuals, often motivated by foreign influences and cloaked under the pretext of obedience to the Holy Canons. However, those truly familiar with the Holy Canons and the tradition of the Church understand that other interests lie behind such reactions.
The canonical right of appeal (ἐκκλητόν) to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, through which local churches have found resolution to their difficulties for centuries, also provided the solution in this case. It restored millions of people in Ukraine to the path of salvation and healed a long-standing schism that was never rooted in any doctrinal difference. A recent example of such an appeal is that of the former Metropolitan of Paphos, Mr. Tychikos, from the Church of Cyprus. He turned to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to examine and definitively resolve his case.
The same publication claims that most monasteries maintain ecclesiastical communion with the Patriarchate of Moscow. Are there some monasteries that have severed communion with the Patriarchate of Moscow? Motivated by a great love for the unity of the Church, the Ecumenical Patriarch continues to commemorate Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. This means that no one on Mount Athos has broken ecclesiastical communion with the Patriarchate of Moscow, contrary to what the article implies. It was the Patriarchate of Moscow that broke communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, not the other way around.
The article also references an anonymous senior monastery representative who claims that Epifaniy’s visit will be merely formal and limited. This opinion does not reflect the views of most monks. However, anonymity suggests fear. If the representative’s opinion truly represented the majority of monks on Mount Athos, as claimed, there would be no reason to remain anonymous. A genuine confessor of the faith would openly profess the truth.
The article’s reference to “pro-Patriarchal monasteries” sows division and separation. We consider the term “pro-Patriarchal,” which the author may use disparagingly, to be a title of honor. How could one not love the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which gave birth to all the autocephalous Orthodox churches and has preserved its universality for over sixteen centuries?
According to the publication, certain “monastic circles” interpret Epifaniy’s visit as an attempt to gain legitimacy. If these circles are indeed monastic, then they have yet to understand that Epifaniy received legitimacy on the day of his election by the Unifying Council. This was formally affirmed by the Tomos of Autocephaly, which was granted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in January 2019. Therefore, he does not need to visit Mount Athos for legitimacy.
Finally, the article correctly states that the Athonite fathers prioritize the unity of the Church above all else. It states, “We must keep Athos far from any conflict. The unity of Orthodoxy is above all.” Indeed, that is the desire of us all. For this reason, we will welcome the Primate of the Fifteenth Church to Mount Athos as a sign of unity among churches and as an example for those who have not yet embraced it. The unity of Orthodoxy truly stands above all else.
Unfortunately, rather than promoting the much-needed unity among churches, these websites promote discord and incite fanaticism among the misled. Only those who strive for unity can understand the Spirit of God and live out the Lord’s commandment: “That they may be one” (John 17:21).
