Elpidophoros’ complicated visit at Mt Athos

After the "salvo" of the Holy (Monastic) Community against the visit of Archbishop of America Elpidophoros to Mt Athos, delivered on the occasion of the baptism of children of a Greek-American same-sex couple, the monastic community is going through days of solemnity due to the Christmas holidays, which are celebrated according to the old Julian calendar.

The Holy Community does not intend, as can be seen from its announcement, to prevent Elpidophoros from entering Mount Athos - it could not practically do so. However, it explained to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew that both it and the Holy Epistasia (executive body) refuse to officially welcome him to Karyes, the community's administrative center, and to give him the standard honors for bishops prescribed by the canon. And this, even though Bartholomew has sent a "recommendation" to the Mt Athos leadership for the free...