The Ecumenical Patriarch, during his visit to Pantokratoros Monastery at Mount Athos, criticised the charities, which charge for their services. On the contrary, he praised the Brotherhood of the monks of the monastery for their work.
In addition, with reference to people who live within society, who criticise the way of life of monks, the Ecumenical Patriarch said that they should not have deemed them indolent and idle nor alleged that they have been avoiding their responsibilities. He said that being a real monk has always been a very difficult task.
He added, “Being a monk means to deny ourselves and to take up our cross. It means to stop being selfish. The life of a monk is quiet and it brings hope. The hope for eternity.”
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew compared the monastic life with the modern secular approach taken by selfish people, who do not care about the emotions of their fellow human beings any more. He said, “People become more individualist and adopt a self-serving attitude. They set up NGOs for charity purposes, but they do not share food with their fellow human beings nor they really care about them. There is no real Christian, who does not do selfless good deeds”.
He also praised the monks for their work and congratulated them on their genuine Christian faith, which makes Mount Athos a unique place. Abbot Gabriel of Pantokratoros Monastery, in his address to the Ecumenical Patriarch, said, “We are not afraid of those who oppose the Great Church of Christ. We are proud to carry our cross.”
The fathers of the Pantokratoros Monastery gave the Ecumenical Patriarch an icon of Christ Pantocrator and an omophorion. Pantokratoros Monastery was the last stop of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to Mount Athos.
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