The prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the Karyes of Mount Athos, in the context of his official visit to the Athonian State.
For the prime minister’s reception was convened Festive Extraordinary Double Sacred Synod, which participated by the professors and delegations of the 20 Holy Monasteries and the Holy Mountains of Mount Athos. Doxology was performed at the Church of the “Axion Esti”, danced by Saint First Abraham.
In his greeting after doxology The Prime Minister said: “You are a Holy Protestants, the Holy Mosts and representatives of the 20 Monasteries of Mount Athos, the Honorable Fathers, Mr. Commander -in -Chief, Dear Pilgrims, with respect, with emotion and with great joy, I meet you here again.
Ready once again to express the gratitude of our state and our people for the huge work you are doing, conveying for centuries, for over a millennium, a valuable, historical, spiritual and national baton. In a place I have visited many times as a citizen, as a party leader and now as prime minister.
For Mount Athos is not just a sanctuary, but an enlightened center of ascetic offer which becomes a compass, as you said, in a world that often seems to lose its orientation. And with his reflection sounding louder than every voice and his faith to become power for everyone, in a role that acquires a special, special importance in our troubled days. Especially for us Greeks, Athos has always been a place of personal serenity, meditation and rebellion. At the same time, however, there was a source of collective hope.
That is why my presence here today states the government’s practical will to stand up to this timeless course, a message that I repeat that I convey here both prime minister and pilgrims.
Then we will have the opportunity to discuss For our plan for the significant financial support of Mount Athos Monasteries With 100 million euros by 2030, so that we can launch extremely important projects that concern many different fields: from monasteries maintenance, reconstitution and after the recent earthquake, protecting their relics, to interventions to preserve its unique nature and facilitating.
Together we will discuss specific issues, such as the security of the area, as well as challenges of our time, such as electrical interconnection.
Most importantly, however, the roads in which the reason for the truth and sobriety of the Athenian state can now be heard more powerful, in a global environment of confusion and uncertainty.
So I want to know that the government will be by your side as it will be next to all Christians of the wider area of the Middle East tested through looming conflicts.
We will be by your side. This is a place that I perceive not only as the duty of the state in history and tradition, but also as a reactionary debt to the spirituality of the Virgin Mary. Let me say it, I also realize it as a personal need.
Thank you again and I ask for your wish in the name of the whole Greek people. “
On his side, Saint First Abraham noted: “Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, on behalf of the Holy Communion, the Supreme Administrative Body of the Sacred Location, the expiry of the Holy Priests and representatives of the 20 Holy Monasteries and all the Mount Athos, I am the Church of the Protatos, the Spiritual Center of the Mount Athos.
The presence of the day of the Experience in this Palpheus of the Holy Temple, where in the sanctuary, the respected miracle -worker of the Virgin Mary Axion Esti is preserved, is an indication of respect for his ancient privileged status of self -sacrifice.
Excellent Mr Prime Minister, the moment On the ends of the earth, the tragic consequences continue of the armed conflict, as in Ukraine and in Syria, where the Churches and the faithful undergo a hard test, the Mount Athos remains a port of refuge in constantly praying for the abuse of the wars, for the treatment of the war and the healing of the intolerance.
At the same time, the recently created situation of the regime and the privileges of the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine of Theodistos Mount Sinai, one of the most separat and earlier supports of Orthodoxy today in Islamic environment, raises us.
We are called upon, as the head of the Greek Government, to reinforce any initiative aimed at ensuring the centuries -long presence of Orthodoxy in the Eastern Eastern Esthes, to ensure the protection of ecclesiastical freedom and to support it.
Except, the Holy Mountain of the Grace of a peculiar and unique over -the -top regime, Immediately guarantee the Greek state from the early 20th century to today, glorifies the fertile and protector of him, Lady Theotokos and invokes her for the sake of her and our blessings.
At the same time does not beg and request after respect As in our national jurisdiction and in accordance with it of the Greek people continue worker for the benefit of all in the spirit of the evangelical checks of our Orthodox faith and the insoluble traditions of our genus, who for a century support sacred institutions, such as that of the family, that is, in Christ.
In conclusion, we wish all the way to the Lord of Peace and the Captain of our Holy Liturgy Mrs. Theotokos, after the Holy Mountains of our Fathers, illuminates your energy, our ministry in the common interest of the people and the homeland, and guides you.
As you are, Mr Prime Minister ».
The prime minister then went to the Athenian State Hierarchy, where he had a meeting with the professors and representatives of the Holy Monasteries and the Holy Epiphany.
The prime minister also had the opportunity to visit the museum housed in the Holy Contest. Subsequently, a meal was given in honor of the Prime Minister.
As part of his visit to Mount Athos, The prime minister will also go to the Holy Monasteries of Iberia, Vatopedi, Simonos Petra and Xenophon.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanassis, the Deputy Minister of Interior on Macedonia and Thrace Constantinos Gioulekas, The political commander of Mount Athos Alcibiades Stefanis, the Secretary of the New Democracy Political Committee, Trikala MP Konstantinos Skrekas and the New Democracy MP Ioannis George.