Elder Georgios Vatopaidinos, the New Head of the Holy Epistasia

On Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Karyes, Mount Athos, the customary ceremony for the installation of the new Holy Epistasia was held with full solemnity, marking the beginning of the new administrative term of the Athonite State.

Following the completion of the term of the Lavriote Epistasia, the Holy Community took the customary commemorative photograph yesterday, with the participation of Elder Abraham Lavriotis, the outgoing Proepistates, and the representatives of the 20 Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos. Also visible in the photograph are the Serdaris in their traditional attire, as well as the secretaries of the Holy Community, reflecting the continuity of the centuries-old Athonite tradition.

Elder Georgios Vatopaidinos assumed office as the new Proepistates, that is, the head of the Holy Epistasia, while the other members of the new Holy Epistasia are Elder Tarasios of the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou, Elder Joseph of the Holy Monastery of Karakallou, and Elder Theophanes of the Holy Monastery of Stavronikita.

Present at the ceremony were the Civil Governor of Mount Athos, Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Deputy Minister of the Interior responsible for matters concerning Macedonia and Thrace, Konstantinos Gkioulekas, the heads of the public services of Mount Athos, as well as representatives of institutions and authorities of the Athonite State.

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