A message of love and unity of the Church was sent by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during the solemn divine service pthe sanctuary of Protatos, in Karyes.
Mr. Bartholomew called on the monks to perform their important work for the church and to preserve the sacred traditions and those who “deviate” from ecclesiastical normality to return to the “loving mother Church”.
The Ecumenical Patriarch spoke about the meaning and role of monasticism, emphasizing that the monastic state has been operating for a thousand years, as a “swimming pool of Siloam” for the Church, the renovation of monks and the world, but also as a “brake” on the great danger for the church, that of secularization.
«We love Mount Athoswe honor its leader and we are anxious, when problems and divisions arise“, Said Mr. Bartholomew and continued:
«We consider this sacred place an integral and vital part of the Great Church, we sympathize when the chronic issues strongly require a solution. We long and wait patiently for the return of those who deviate from the bay of the loving mother. We spare no effort, toil and endurance, for the correct repositioning of the wrong ones. Perhaps, the long-suffering of the Mother Church is perceived as a weakness, indifference. But such a view would be utterly erroneous and unjust, as the Great Church of Christ has shown and obviously proved that there is a true Mother of all … Everything dries up, everything endures».
He stressed that even critics acknowledge the Church’s long-suffering and added: “There is no other way than love and patience».
The Ecumenical Patriarch noted that there has always been a distance from the manifestation of problems in the Church to their recovery and stressed: “The Church is waiting”.
«This is what we have done in the two recent cases of Ukraine and the neighboring country, Northern Macedonia. We can not be deaf, sometimes on appeal and sometimes on our own initiative in debt and responsibility, the respective patriarchs exhaust themselves for the stability of the saints of God Churches».
Mr. Bartholomew pointed out that “philanthropically and exhaustively” the church heals the wounds and “heals the algae” and does not go out of its way.
«Do not be afraid, the Church does not deviate from the straight path. It does not eliminate the tunic of Truth, the glorified grace of God and through many efforts from the Holy Apostles until today“, Said Mr. Bartholomew.
Mr. Bartholomew added that the Church “does not accept conservatism, does not propose secular imperatives to the detriment of holy religions, does not accept foreign and alien faithAnd even if he talks “he does not bid”. He clarified: “On the contrary, it prevails in love and invites everyone to feel its side, to see and taste the great mystery of the Orthodox faith.».
«Love and trust the great Church of Christ and your Patriarch“, Said the Ecumenical Patriarch.
The solemn patriarchal divine service was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenosthe ND MP, as a representative of the Speaker of Parliament, George Koumoutsakosthe political commander of Mount Athos Athanasios Martinos, the deputy deputy governor Aristos Kasmiroglou, the former deputy minister Markos Bolaris, etc.
This was followed by a procession of the icon of Panagia Axion Esti and a treat in the building of the Holy Community.
At noon, the Ecumenical Patriarch departed from the port of Daphne for Thessalonikiwhere tonight at 19.00 it is planned to be received by the Diocese of Nea Krini and Kalamaria and the local authorities of the municipalities of Kalamaria and Thermaikos.
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