In the morning, the ceremony of throwing the Holy Cross and the consecration of the waters in the Holy Monastery of Xenophon of Mount Athoshis presence archbishop of America Elpidophoroswho visits the monastic state.

The archbishop attended the evening vigil and officiated at the solemn Divine Liturgy of the Epiphany in the morning. Then followed the throwing of the Cross into the sea by Mr. Elpidophoros, in the presence of the escort and the monks of Xenophontos monastery, in the arsenal of the monastery.

“You are an example, not only of spirituality, a beacon of Orthodoxy, which enlightens and supports souls, following the genuine holy old tradition, never criticized the Mother Church, never judged anyone, never really, only gave love, only comfort, only Word Lord he taught, only the Gospel readsaid Archbishop Elpidophoros upon his arrival, yesterday afternoon, at Xenophontos Monastery and his reception by the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Alexios and the monks. “We are all children of the same church, the Church of Constantinople, which is in our hearts and above all its head, the spiritual guide of all of us, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew” he added.

During his pilgrimage to Athos, Mr. Elpidophoros is accompanied by forty expatriates, the majority of them Greek-American businessmen from the USA, and four clergymen.

Mount Athos

The archbishop of America, after his entourage, left at the end of the ceremony for the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra, in order to attend Vespers and will return tonight to the Xenophontos Monastery. Tomorrow, Saturday, he will visit the Holy Monastery of Philotheou and on Sunday the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros.

Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos