Putin visits Russian Orthodox monastic community in Greece

[don-o]

Putin visits Russian Orthodox monastic community in Greece

By COSTAS KANTOURIS and DEMETRIS NELLAS
May. 28, 2016 3:01 PM EDT

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/1729aea351534d7d912b6c6ef92fa98a/putin-visits-orthodox-monastic-community-mount-athos

KARYES, Greece (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a Russian Orthodox monastery Saturday on the northern Greek peninsula of Mount Athos as part of a two-day visit touted by the Greek government as a chance to improve ties between the two countries.

He praised the spiritual uplift and moral guidance provided by the austere monastic community in a sacred place. Putin said the Orthodox tradition is particularly important at this moment in history.

"Today, as we resurrect the values of patriotism, historical memory and traditional culture, we hope for ... a strengthening of relations" with Mount Athos, he said.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had said the Russian president's visit was a chance to "upgrade" relations, which Greece hopes will mean more Russian investment and more Russian tourism as the EU member copes with a prolonged financial crisis and a tsunami of migrants.

snip

During his visit to Mount Athos, where women are not allowed to visit any of the 20 monasteries there, Putin repeatedly praised the spirit of the monastic community.

"Here in Mount Athos, there is great and important work done on moral values," Putin said after a Mass in his honor, where he was seated in the bishop's throne.

exc

[don-o]

@The_Reader_David

[don-o]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos

[don-o]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3613977/Putin-visits-Orthodox-monastic-community-Mount-Athos.html

Many pics including a couple that seem to show show Putin standing at Bishop's throne. Had me scratching my head.

Then...This

Putin on mount Athos sat on the throne of the Byzantine emperors, and declared the mountain a source of grace
World news

from

http://en.news-4-u.ru/putin-on-mount-athos-sat-on-the-throne-of-the-byzantine-emperors-and-declared-the-mountain-a-source-of-grace.html

AP got it wrong.

edit to add: And again, a lie goes around the world before the truth gets its pants on.

[LonestarDream]

If only Obama could be as Christian as Putin...

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3613977/Putin-visits-Orthodox-monastic-community-Mount-Athos.html

Many pics including a couple that seem to show show Putin standing at Bishop's throne. Had me scratching my head.

Then...This


from

http://en.news-4-u.ru/putin-on-mount-athos-sat-on-the-throne-of-the-byzantine-emperors-and-declared-the-mountain-a-source-of-grace.html

AP got it wrong.

edit to add: And again, a lie goes around the world before the truth gets its pants on.

[don-o]

https://rbth.com/international/2016/05/29/mount-athos-russian-president-on-a-pilgrimage-to-another-europe_598309

When President Putin and Patriarch Kirill inspect the recent renovations of the historically Russian facilities in this microcosm of the unruly family of national Orthodox Churches (in which Russians and Greeks often vie for dominance) and when they pray together in a special service to the Russian saints who have lived on Mount Athos, they will emphasize Russia’s position among the heirs to Byzantium. That is a heritage, which is by all means European, but markedly not Western. They will also stress that the church and state in today’s Russia stand together, following the Byzantine model of “symphonia,” a close cooperation of the divine and earthly powers, which runs contrary to the Western notion of separation between church and state.

Athos monks are known for their ultra-conservatism in social and family matters, opposition to relations with Western Christianity and strong criticism of U.S.-dominated globalization and secularization at least as much as they are for their ascetic endeavors, spiritual heights and virtues of Christian love. By visiting this autonomous enclave of the EU, which does not subscribe to the dominant liberal European values of gender equality, human rights and freedom of movement, the Russian president and patriarch will pay homage to the “other Europe” of traditional Christian values – as opposed to those of the Enlightenment – that seems besieged by the winds of modernity.

[don-o]

https://www.rt.com/in-motion/344748-putin-mount-athos-greece/