Phanar can apply sanctions against St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos
According to Greek media reports, the Patriarchate of Constantinople has put tough pressure on the monasteries of Holy Mount Athos regarding the recognition of the OCU.
Patriarch Bartholomew demands that Hegumen of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery, Archimandrite Eulogius, explain why the delegation of representatives of the OCU was not allowed into the monastery. This is reported by the Greek edition ΒΗΜΑ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ.
Thus, the publication reports that despite the fact that "the majority of the Holy Monasteries refuse to recognize the new autocephalous church of Ukraine, the Ecumenical Patriarchate pursues a tough policy, especially with regard to the abbots of those monasteries that closed their gates to the Ukrainian delegation of the new controversial church."
According to ΒΗΜΑ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ, Patriarch Bartholomew turned to the Abbot of St. Panteleimon Monastery Archimandrite Eulogius, demanding an explanation about his negative attitude to the Ukrainian delegation of the OCU, headed by the “bishop” of the new church, which tried to visit the monastery in February of this year.
According to the publication, the text of the address of Patriarch Bartholomew says that if this attitude to the OCU on Athos continues, "the Ecumenical Patriarch will be forced to take the necessary measures to maintain canonicity and obedience to Mother Church."
However, according to ΒΗΜΑ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ, "Holy Kinot does not seem to recognize the new church, which many Athonite monks consider schismatic."
The journalists of the publication wonder, “What will Phanar do in this case? Why doesn't Mount Athos have the right to express its opinion on such a serious matter?”
Finally, Greek journalists conclude that "the climate on Mount Athos regarding the Ukrainian issue remains difficult and split, and no one can foresee its further development".
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, in addition to the Russian Panteleimon Monastery, another two monasteries refused to receive the OCU delegation; furthermore, seven monks left Vatopedi after the visit of the schismatic delegation.
