After the reactions against the statements made by Hieromonk Nikodemos Lavriotis (https://www.orthodoxtimes.com/the-ministry-of-development-starts-communication-with-mount-athos/) during the meeting of the Monks of Mount Athos, on Wednesday, July 24, with the Minister for Development and Investments, Adonis Georgiades, the monk Nikodemos Agiopavlitis proceeds to clarification.
Fathers Nikodemos from the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra, Nicodemos from the Holy Monastery of St. Paul and Anthonios from the Holy Monastery of Iveron, attended the much debated meeting of the Committee of the Holy Community of Mount Athos.
According to ethnos.gr, Father Nicodemos said that “During the course of discussion, many things were told, but some words were isolated. As Mount Athos, we are grateful to the Greek State because, more or less, everyone has shown interest. The interest in Mount Athos did not start with the new government. That’s what we said at the meeting”.
“After the transition to Democracy in 1974, the Greek state expressed constant interest in the Athonite State and the previous government did not ignore Mount Athos. It was not an accusation against the previous government”, explained Elder Nikodemos Agiopavlitis.
“If there was a misunderstanding, a wrong impression of what we said, it is not our fault! No government has been hostile to Mount Athos after the transition to Democracy in 1974. We faced many difficulties during the dictatorship, but things changed during all subsequent governments”, concluded Elder Nikodemos.
