FRIENDS OF MOUNT ATHOS Registered Charity No. 1047287 President Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia From the Hon Treasurer Simon Jennings, F.C.A. Rawlinson & Hunter, Eighth Floor, 6 New Street Square, London EC4A 3AQ

 

SPJ/MM/21-071110/PJ9P7YNX			30 December 2011
The President and Prime Minister of the  Hellenic Republic
		By Fax: 2118001332

Your Excellencies,

We have been greatly disturbed by reports of the detention of the Abbot of the Great and Holy Monastery of Vatopedi, Archimandrite Ephraim, on the 23rd December 2011.

We are particularly concerned by the timing of the decision, on the eve of Christmas, and do not understand why preventive custody was thought appropriate for the Elder who is a well-known public figure and who has shown no sign of absconding or refusing to face his accusers despite having had every opportunity to do so. 

We hope that the abbot can be released speedily from custody and that the trial be swiftly progressed to allow a full exposition of the charges and permit the Monastery to present its defence.

Yours faithfully.

(not signed as electronically sent)

Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, President of the Friends of Mount Athos

Dr Graham Speake, Secretary                              Simon Jennings, Treasurer

Dr Dimitri Conomos        John Arnell                   Alasdair Cross 

Peter Lea                       Michael Naldrett             

Robert Allison, Membership Secretary of the Americas