Tensions Flare at Mount Athos: Monk Injured in Alleged Assault

A violent altercation has sparked renewed tensions on Mount Athos, following allegations by the Esfigmenos Monastery of an attack by individuals occupying part of the monastic complex.

According to a statement posted by the brotherhood of the Esfigmenos Monastery on social media, the incident occurred when a person emerging from the occupied building physically assaulted a monk, striking him on the head with a blunt object and his fists. The same individual reportedly issued verbal threats and insults to two other members of the brotherhood, before dousing them with dirty water.

The injured monk was transported by ambulance to the Mount Athos Health Centre for treatment, while the local police station in Karyes was notified of the attack.

In a strongly worded statement, the Esfigmenos Monastery criticised the Greek government for what it describes as a continued failure to enforce the law on the semi-autonomous monastic peninsula.

"The enforcement of the law and the safeguarding of security and legitimacy on Mount Athos, which is the sole responsibility of the Greek state, have once again proven to be non-existent," the monastery said. "We denounce the government’s indifference, which enables the ongoing illegal occupation of both the monastery and the delegation offices in Karyes. As a result, the physical safety of our brotherhood remains in constant jeopardy."

The dispute surrounding the Esfigmenos Monastery dates back years and centres on a long-standing schism between the officially recognised brotherhood and a group of monks occupying parts of the monastic property in defiance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Greek authorities.

Mount Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an autonomous monastic community under Greek sovereignty, governed by its own charter and inhabited by Eastern Orthodox monks from various countries.

(Source: To Vima)