[Anckzxik]

I have been to the Holy Monastery of Esphigmenou many, many times.

The article in the Times is quite inaccurate. There is absolutely no banner on the outside of the Monastery which declares that the Pope is the Anti-Christ. There is, however, a banner which reads: Orthodoxia n Thanatos (Orthodoxy or Death) - one can interpret that as they wish. Also the Times article implies that the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch 'celebrated a joint Mass' which gives the reader the impression it was a joint concelebration - that is, clearly non-canonical. Also, there is mention of a 'pro-Patriarch monk' who had the 'temerity to demand entrance to the cloister' and was subsequently visited upon by 'beard pulling' and 'throwing of punches...'

The last time I visited and stayed at Esphigmenou was two years ago (was I the pro-Patriarch monk mentioned in the Times?) My stay there was like all my pilgrimages to the Monastery, dating back twenty years.

The monks were extremely friendly, always insistent that I stay longer, and our talk revolved around monastic themes. Never once did I personally hear slander directed toward the Patriarch. The Holy Monastery of Esphigmenou is generally composed of fathers from around the Holy Mountain who found refuge and a common ethos there.

I have never experienced any difficulties with these fathers and I must say that all this unverified source material is misleading and damaging. You do not have to leave Esphigmenou to find Abbots who are in disagreement with the Ecumenical Patriarch.

As to the remark about Prince Philip at the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi and seeking tranquillity there, whilst there I stood directly behind Prince Philip in the line of monks venerating the Icons.

This fact alone caused considerable concern on the Holy Mountain. In the vast majority of Athonite monasteries non-Orthodox are not permitted in the Narthex and are not permitted to venerate the Icons during the Liturgical Services.

Which reminds me of another very sad incident, when the Greek authorities took the upper hand. Approximately five monks had lived at the Skete of the Prophet Elijah, founded by the great Staretz, St. Paisy Velichkovsky, for many years. This is where I first met the Hierarch Mark of Berlin (ROCOR), then quite a young man. The monks there were all from ROCOR, but lived peacefully for years at the Skete.

One day the police (the Greek authorities) drove up, and in one day evicted all the monks, and sent them off the Mountain by boat.

I would estimate that more than 70% of Athonite monks are very reserved in their feelings about the present Ecumenical Patriarch.

It is not only the monks of Esphigmenou who feel the heavy hand of the current Patriarch, simply ask at the other Monasteries and you are welcome to form your own opinion of this current 'dialogue'.