Some Athonite monasteries refuse to receive Greek Prime Minister

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is scheduled to visit Mount Athos on July 4–5. The visit has been described as a pilgrimage, during which the head of government plans to visit several monasteries, including Iviron, Vatopedi, Xenophontos, and Simonopetra. This was reported by the Greek outlet Kathimerini.

However, despite efforts to present an image of unified hospitality, several Athonite monasteries have openly expressed disagreement. Seven monasteries — Philotheou, Karakallou, Docheiariou, Grigoriou, Kastamonitou, Koutloumousiou, and the Monastery of Saint Paul — have officially declared that they will not receive the Prime Minister.

The reason for this stance lies in the monks’ opposition to the law legalizing same-sex “marriages,” passed in Greece in February 2024. On Mount Athos, such initiatives have repeatedly been met with deep concern, as they are viewed as incompatible with Christian teaching.

It is also worth noting that some monasteries of Mount Athos have ceased receiving representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). This decision was made in response to what is seen as the OCU’s aggressive policy toward the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.