The Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Esfigmenos on Mount Athos, Archimandrite Bartholomew, met with Archbishop George of Cyprus at the Archiepiscopal Palace in Nicosia on September 9, 2024, as part of his four-day visit to Cyprus.
During the meeting, the Archbishop expressed his deep concern about the ongoing occupation of the central building complex of the Esfigmenos Monastery on Mount Athos, as well as the interference with lawful decisions by various self-interested parties.
Emphasizing the urgent need to end the occupation for the sake of Mount Athos and the Orthodox Church, the Archbishop also warned against propaganda efforts by the occupiers to lure the faithful away from the Eastern Orthodox Church and towards their own religious community, the “Church of the True Orthodox Christians of Greece,” using religious extremism as a tool.
Furthermore, the Archbishop discussed the challenges faced by the Church and Cyprus as a whole, requesting prayers from the Abbot and his delegation on Mount Athos for himself, the Church of Cyprus, and the people of Cyprus.