Free Geronda Efraim!

[ikonographics]

Pray for Elder Efraim of Vatopaidi was criminally taken into custody on Christmas Eve and is being made a scapegoat for the mess that Greece is in!

Ελευθερώστε τον Γέροντα Εφραίμ

 

[Annoula]

i think he is not yet in custody.

well.... whoever touches Russia these days is taken down.
whoever touches others... nothing happens.

 

[ikonographics]

Let us pray that it stays that way! I heard this morning that he is ill and that is why they haven't taken him into custody yet.

 

[ikonographics]

Here is an article in English: The London Daily News

 

[jckstraw72]

this is absolutely absurd! Lord have mercy!

 

[ma2000]

Lord, have mercy!

 

[Dorothea]

Yes, I saw this yesterday. So terrible. Prayers for Archimandrite Efraim.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Lord have mercy!

 

[E.C.]

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Lord have mercy! Greece is already the laughing stock of the EU (no offense to those living in or from Greece) for their budget issues and now this???

 

[ikonographics]

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Lord have mercy! Greece is already the laughing stock of the EU (no offense to those living in or from Greece) for their budget issues and now this???

The politicians are basically using him as a scapegoat and they're using the fact that he went to Russia with the Holy Belt of the Theotokos as an excuse.

The so called ‘Vatopedi scandal’ is nonexistent « Presa Ortodoxă de limbă Greacă

 

[jckstraw72]

whats so bad about going to Russia?

 

[ikonographics]

whats so bad about going to Russia?

Politics

 

[buzuxi02]

I still dont know why he would be under arrest. What are the charges?
Heck, from the article I dont even know what aspects of the accusations are supposed to be illegal. Whats wrong with having a stake in offshore companies? Isnt Mt. Athos a semi-autonomous republic, what should the state care about their finances?

 

[Sarcalogos Deus]

My chaplet of St. Philomena will be dedicated to him today. May God enlighten the hearts of those that wish to imprison this innocent man.

 

[Damaris]

I still dont know why he would be under arrest. What are the charges?
Heck, from the article I dont even know what aspects of the accusations are supposed to be illegal. Whats wrong with having a stake in offshore companies? Isnt Mt. Athos a semi-autonomous republic, what should the state care about their finances?

The charge is that the Abbot cheated Greek taxpayers by arranging a land exchange, where Vatopedi traded a lake for some real estate in Athens. The lake wasn't worth much, and the Athens real estate is worth a lot. But it's not like Abbot Efraim was the only one involved in that, the deal had the cooperation of the Greek government.

I share the views of those who see this as scapegoating. The fact is, Greece is now bearing the awful consequences of years of systemic corruption, with blame falling on many shoulders. Sometimes the Church and her servants can be an easy target for blame that others don't want to accept. May God protect Abbot Efraim and keep the Holy Mountain safe.

 

[ArmyMatt]

May God protect Abbot Efraim and keep the Holy Mountain safe.

amen

 

[buzuxi02]

The charge is that the Abbot cheated Greek taxpayers by arranging a land exchange, where Vatopedi traded a lake for some real estate in Athens. The lake wasn't worth much, and the Athens real estate is worth a lot. But it's not like Abbot Efraim was the only one involved in that, the deal had the cooperation of the Greek government.

I share the views of those who see this as scapegoating. The fact is, Greece is now bearing the awful consequences of years of systemic corruption, with blame falling on many shoulders. Sometimes the Church and her servants can be an easy target for blame that others don't want to accept. May God protect Abbot Efraim and keep the Holy Mountain safe.

Well in that case the government needs to take some pointers from the monks since they can do a much better job running the country than the not-so-shrewd politicians.

 

[ikonographics]

And the sad thing is that now the monastery's enormous charity work (which is never mentioned) is being hindered because the monastery's bank acounts have been frozen.

 

[Damaris]

And the sad thing is that now the monastery's enormous charity work (which is never mentioned) is being hindered because the monastery's bank acounts have been frozen.

Here in the US, they just re-ran the 60 Minutes story about the Holy Mountain. Geronda Efraim and Vatopedi were in it. They said the monastery had a lot of wealth because of its patrons, but that they were very hospitable and allow pilgrims to eat there for free. They also showed the sash of the Theotokos and the head of St. John Chrysostom.

 

[Greek Orthodox]

Pray for Elder Efraim of Vatopaidi was criminally taken into custody on Christmas Eve and is being made a scapegoat for the mess that Greece is in!

First of all it is "Vatopedi" and not "Vatopaidi"! Then, Greece is in a relative mess because people like your Efraim was taking care about it! I hope that Efraim and all his similar will pay for their crimes!!