BBC Reports: Greece wastes taxpayer dollars persecuting Esphigmenou Monastery:

  Watch BBC Report  

"Therefore, we urge you... to act in consort with all the state assets and those in charge of Mount Athos and elsewhere, to move against them, and to discreetly expel them from this place (Mt. Athos)...." Patriarch Bartholomew  Complete document

"If these vessels are being used by the illegal occupiers of the main complex of buildings of the Monastery, or, are in any way providing services for them, even if by a third party, we ask that their approach to the Monastery be prohibited and blockaded with all means (at your disposal),...."  Archimandrite Chrysostomos- (Abbott of imposter Esphigmenou Monastery) Complete document

December 2010

During the Holy Christmas Season The Holy Royal Esphigmenou Monastery and Abbott Father Methodios wish all a blessed and Holy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year 2011.

We wish to thank all those who have supported our just cause and want them to know we pray for them every day at the Holy Liturgy.  We are indebted to all of you, throughout the world for your support in our common cause for the Orthodox faith.  We want you to know that the persecution of the monastery and the fathers continues.  As you may know, we have been dragged into the secular courts to face familiar trumped up charges of illegally occupying our monastery.  The struggle continues. 

(AP photos above are pictures taken of the events, clearly showing police rough handling of Esphigmenou monks).

"Greek Police bar pilgrims from attending chruch service"

ATHENS, Greece, May 27, 2009 - Police and coast guard officials said they were on alert Wednesday in the wake of Greek Orthodox pilgrims near Esphigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece.

Officials were on stand-by in the ancient cities of Ouranoupolis and Ierissos as a result of Tuesday's decision by Greek police to bar nearly 35 pilgrims who were trying to attend church for Ascension, a major Holiday on the Orthodox Calendar, and the feast day for the church at Esphigmenou Monastery.

Since the siege began in 2003, pilgrims have been invited by Abbott Methodios to attend services at Esphigmenou.  Pilgrims are drawn to Mt. Athos and Esphigmenou Monastery as it is the idyllic place of prayer, a world within a world; an ancient, peaceful, community that is world renowned for monastic life.  However each attempt to attend church services at Esphigmenou Monastery by peaceful pilgrims are met by agitated Greek Police, (and backed by the Greek Government) who physically and sometimes violently turn them back.  Multiple attempts have been made to reach the monastery over the years and nearly all have been met with violence. 

More news coverage on May 27 events:

Original UPI story

Kathimerini - Letter to the Editor on Esphigmenou 

Original Kathimerini.com story

Additional History:

Clashes at Esphigmenou - Kathimerini article