“Athos is for the OCU!”: Ukrainian schismatics claim they are supported by all monasteries of the Holy Mountain

Representatives of the OCU, who visited Athos, claim that most monasteries of the Holy Mountain allegedly support the Ukrainian schism and its head, Epiphany Dumenko. Commenting on their experience of visiting Athos, the OCU clerics say that even “pro-Russian” monks are changing their attitude to the Ukrainian church issue. This was stated in a commentary to the media by a clergyman of the OCU, Rafail Zhigalo.

“The monasteries on Athos are rooting for Ukraine and support the Ukrainian Church. We felt it in the conversations of the brethren, with the abbots of the monasteries of the Holy Mountain. For example, hegumen Xenophon and Pantocrator visited Kyiv before the full-scale invasion, attended celebrations or holidays. And the hegumen of Xenophontos (it was there that the text of the Tomos was written – ed.), Archimandrite Alexy, always supported the granting of autocephaly to us, and even celebrated the liturgy on the occasion of the enthronement of His Beatitude Epifaniy. There are also Russian influences on Athos, but when the monks get to know the Ukrainian clergy and pilgrims, these influences diminish. They see us as believing Christians who love the Holy Mountain and come to pray,” – Zhyhalo said.

The OCU cleric added that when the monasteries of Athos learned that their delegation included senior officials of the organization, they were given a special reception. Thus, according to him, they were received in Vatopedi, Iveron and even Esphigmenou.

“When the monks found out that there was an archbishop among the Ukrainians, Bishop Agapit, secretary of the Metropolia of the Ukrainian Church, we were invited to talk to the abbots of the monasteries with whom we had not previously arranged a meeting. Thus, we were received by the abbots of the Iveron Monastery, Esphigmenou, Vatopedi, and the Skete of the Prophet Elijah,” – he added.