The official visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Mount Athos, scheduled for the end of next week, is now uncertain amid strong opposition from several monasteries.
As reported by Protothema, this resistance reflects the growing discontent within the Athonite community over government policies perceived to “undermine the religious sentiments and beliefs of Orthodox Christians.” At least seven abbots have announced they will boycott the reception ceremony for the Prime Minister.
The objections were aired openly during Thursday’s meeting of the Holy Community, where the details of the visit were to be finalized, based on a program reportedly prepared by Civil Governor Alkiviadis Stefanis in collaboration with the Greek government.
Representatives from seven monasteries—Filotheou, Konstamonitou, Karakallou, Docheiariou, Osiou Gregoriou, Koutloumousiou, and Agios Pavlos—expressed their firm opposition to the visit.
They specifically criticized Prime Minister Mitsotakis for policies they argue offend devout Christians, with particular focus on the recent bill legalizing gay marriage and adoption rights. They declared their refusal to participate in the official reception of the Prime Minister and his delegation.
With the absence of abbots and monastery representatives at the pivotal reception ceremony in Protaton, and reports of black flags and protest banners being raised at certain monasteries, the visit’s success appears gravely compromised. This appears to be an attempt to escape (?) the deadlock surrounding the nature of the visit.
The program
The program submitted by Civil Governor Alkiviadis Stefanis to the Holy Community outlined a two-hour official visit by the Prime Minister to Karyes on Friday, followed by pilgrimages the same day to the monasteries of Iviron and Vatopedi, an overnight stay at Simonos Petras Monastery, a Saturday morning visit to Xenophontos Monastery, and a subsequent return to Athens.
However, the Holy Community emphasized that if the Prime Minister desires an official visit, the established protocols must be strictly observed. These include a formal reception by representatives and abbots, an address at the Protaton, a traditional hospitality offering, a speech in the Community’s conference room where monks may raise concerns, followed by a communal meal in honor of the visitor, and official lodging in the Community’s guesthouse.
After the conclusion of these rituals, the high-ranking pilgrim is free to visit any other sites as he wishes. Yesterday, members of the Holy Supervision informed the Civil Governor, and according to reports, Stefanis assured that he would convey the Community’s decisions to the Prime Minister.
The visit—which was expected to be accompanied by announcements of financial support for the monasteries and infrastructure projects on Mount Athos—remains pending until early next week. It is anticipated that a final decision will clarify whether Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will accept the Community’s demands regarding ceremonial protocol or, in light of the backlash from extremist factions, postpone the visit indefinitely.
This would not be the first time a Prime Minister has canceled a pilgrimage for such reasons. Alexis Tsipras, during his tenure, refrained from making a planned pilgrimage to Athos following protests from similar groups in response to the same-sex civil unions. At that time, a banner at Dochiariou Monastery declared, “atheists out of Mount Athos.”
Both Tsipras and Mitsotakis had previously submitted their religious credentials to the Holy Community as opposition leaders.
