*** The Metropolitans rally against the unfair decision on Elder Efrem. ( part 2)
8 January 2012
Prikonisou: Tertsetis*: urgently needed’
*( Translator’s note: George Tertsetis ( 1800-1874) was the renowned historian, politician and litigator, who refused to sign the death penalty imposed on Kolokotronis after the Greek revolution in 1821)
What a great present did Greek justice give to the Holy Mountain, monasticism, the Church, the faithful and all of us on Christmas Eve!
When dangerous criminals of varying degrees of criminality are let out in the spirit of leniency and grace, Greek justice remands into custody without trial the reverent Abbot of the largest, Greek speaking monastery of Orthodoxy, Elder Efrem of Vatopaidi, well known for his pious life and charitable, loving personality! With this decision it deprives the 120- member brotherhood of their spiritual father at a time they need him most! During holy days!
It deprives the Holy Mountain of one of the greatest pillars of our times.
Does Greek justice truly believe that it will satisfy the common need for justice and that society is protected from the likes of such ‘a dangerous and unscrupulous criminal’? Oh sancta simplicitas!…
Greek people are smart enough, thank God, to be able to recognize the obvious politics at work here.
The decision which sends Elder Efrem to prison, if not questionable, is riddled to say the least, legally, logically and morally and exposes Greece image as a low-abiding country world wide.
What a shame!… Indeed, what a shame! It’s too bad!…
We urgently need a Tertsetis* to restore the name of Greek justice in the eyes of the Greeks!
Christmas have become truly bitter cold for Mount Athos, Orthodoxy and the Greeks!…
Source: http://www.romfea.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10351:-q-q&catid=13
The Metropolitan of Patra sends daggers against the decision to remand Efrem into custody
By the Metropolitan of Patra, Chrysostomos.
In relation to the custody remand decision on Elder Efrem, his Eminence the Metropolitan of Patra, Chrysostomos stated:
‘The decision to remand into custody Abbot Efrem has astounded and mostly saddened the faithful.
It is once again obvious that the name of Monasticism and the Church is damaged in a way which provokes common judgment and religious sentiment, especially during these holy days, when we are celebrating the incarnation of the Son and Word of God.
One is justified to question: Is Abbot Efrem the only problem in Greece these days? Is he the one who endangers public order and safety?
How many dangerous thugs and criminals are walking free and provoke public sentiment?
How many instigators of the hardships which befell our country and our society remain unpunished? What are we, therefore, to make of this situation?
Unfortunately for those who have masterminded and carried out the whole campaign against the Vatopaidi Monastery and fortunately for Efrem, the decision proves that all those who have expressed their reservations right from the start and stated their belief in the Abbot’s innocence, were right.
The Abbot, carrying this particular cross, will come out stronger and will glow spiritually even more. After Golgotha and Crucifixion, the Resurrection follows.
This particular decision was unreasonable and must be rescinded. We believe that Justice will rise to the challenge’.
Source: http://www.romfea.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10358:2011-12-25-23-33-14&catid=13
Nicholaos, Metropolitan of Mesogaias: ‘ Efrem’s custody remand was spiteful’
His Eminence the Metropolitan of Mesogaias and Laverotikis Nicholaos made a significant intervention during the SKY tv news bulletin, referring to the decision to remand the Abbot of Vatopaidi Arch. Efrem into custody.
Among others, the Metropolitan bravely stressed:
-‘The decision reeks of politics at work among political and ecclesiastical circles
– The doctor who examined Fr Efrem should reveal whether he had found him leaving in a cell or in palaces like other real fraudsters.
– The Church is not scared of prison cells. Ever since the times of Christ and the Apostles the Church has imprisoned people among its ranks.
– Some people did not like the extraordinary presence of millions of Russians in the recent pilgrimage in worshiping the Holy Belt and wish to spoil the Greek- Russian relations.
– Greek ‘justice’ frees criminals in the name of leniency while at the same time fills prisons cells with monks.
– This case is being used by those who have destroyed and corrupted this country, in order to cover up their filth, hitting against Orthodoxy.
-With his imprisonment, Elder Efrem will ascend the Golgotha of glory.
***
The Metropolitan of Fthiotida: «Sinister powers wish to hit against the Holy Mountain’’
The Metropolitan of Fthiotida, Nicholaos, was critical and to the point in his sermon on Christmas Day in the Church of the Annunciation.
Mr Nicholaos referring to the present economic crisis said that the country’s rulers must show greater prudence. He also commented on the recent developments on the decision to remand into custody Arch. Efrem Abbot of Vatopaidi saying that sinister powers are behind all this, wishing to knock the holy community of the Holy Mountain.
During the morning Holy Liturgy a young man was ordained deacon. He hailed from Pelasgia.
You may watch the relevant video from lamiastar.gr
Source: http://www.romfea.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10360:-l——-r-video&catid=13
The Metropolitan Acheloou. Mr Eythymiou expresses outrage for the decisionto remand into custody Elder Efrem
A sermon by the Metropolitan in the Church of the Holy Belt in Kypseli on Christmas Day 2011.
In the sermon he referred to:
– Evidence that the Holy Mother of God is appearing in person these days…
– His holy outrage about the decision to remand into custody Abbot Efrem
