The Friends of Mount Athos (FoMA) responded quickly in response to the disastrous fire at Chilandar Monastery on Mount Athos. Immediately after news reached the Friends of Mount Athos , the Society sent condolences to His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of the Serbia, to the Abbot of Chilandar, to the Yugoslav Ambassador in London, and to the Serbian Church in the UK. The Friends of Mount Athos have sent an initial donation to the monastery's appeal fund of £5000 (five thousand GB pounds) and have initiated an appeal on behalf of the Monastery (more information on this below).
The Prince of Wales, a long-time member and supporter of the Friends of Mount Athos is 'deeply shocked and saddened' by the disaster and has sent his heartfelt wishes to the abbot and fathers. He is keen to be involved further and we are working on ways to accomplish this, including some possible programs to serve as fundraising events. All such events will be announced on the Friends of Mount Athos Website as soon as the planning is complete. The March 6, 2004 KATHIMERINI English Edition reportage indicated that it might not be possible for the monastery to receive funds from the European Union. Contributions to Hilandar Appeal of the Friends of Mount Athos may prove to represent an important alternative for Europeans. The Ambassador, however, is optimistic that this problem will be resolved. President Kostunica will have this matter high on his agenda on his upcoming trip to Brussels. The Hilandar Appeal of the Friends of Mount Athos The Friends of Mount Athos look to our membership and friends for a generous response to our Hilandar Appeal to support the Monastery in its time of need. The society has now set up an account for donations to the appeal. Cheques (in sterling) should be made payable to the Hilandar Appeal and sent to the Friends of Mount Athos, c/o Rawlinson & Hunter, Eagle House, 110 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6RH. Contributions in American Dollars payable to "The Friends of Mount Athos -- Hilandar Appeal" may be sent to Robert W. Allison, Membership Secretary for the Americas, The Department of Philosophy and Religion, Bates College, 73/75 Campus Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240 USA. Contributions in dollars will be transferred to the society's Hilandar Appeal Fund.Announcements regarding fund raising events will be posted on this website as plans develop.
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Responses to the Friends of Mount Athos may be sent by e-mail to
http://www.athosfriends.org/friendsnews.html