Mount Athos monasteries explain why they welcomed Greek Prime Minister despite same-sex “marriage” law

The Sacred Community of Mount Athos has issued an official statement in response to the public controversy surrounding the recent visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the monastic republic. While affirming their strong opposition to anti-Christian legislation passed by the government, the Athonite monks explained why they nevertheless upheld the ecclesiastical tradition of hospitality. The statement was reported by Romfea.

According to the document, during the visit, the monks expressed their deep concern over the legalization of same-sex “marriage” and adoption rights for such couples — laws they described as “a threat to the Orthodox ethos of the Greek people and the value of the human person.”

At the same time, the monks emphasized that receiving a political leader is not an endorsement of his policies, but an expression of the Christian duty of prayer. “Mount Athos receives everyone with discernment and prayer, because it is a place of repentance, not denunciation,” the statement reads.

Particular attention was given to criticisms regarding the silence of the monasteries:
“The silence of the Athonite Fathers is not indifference nor agreement, but an expression of Christian ethos,” the statement affirms. The monks stressed that Athos remains faithful to the tradition of silent witness rather than public confrontation.

They also reminded that the Apostle Paul taught the faithful to pray not only for righteous rulers but for all those in power, in order to preserve peace and a godly life.

It is worth noting that several Athonite monasteries had previously declared their disapproval of the planned visit. Seven monasteries — Philotheou, Karakallou, Dochiariou, Grigoriou, Konstamonitou, Koutloumousiou, and St. Paul’s Monastery — officially announced they would not receive the Prime Minister.