(Registered Charity No.1047287)
Ironstone Farmhouse, Milton, Banbury OX15 4HH
Newsletter No. 2, October 1995

Since the publication of the Annual Report for 1994 there have been important developments both on and off the Holy Mountain which we should like to draw to the attention of our members. We are therefore issuing another Newsletter, the purpose of which is to keep members informed, pending the publication of fuller details in the next Annual Report.

Charitable Status of the Friends
It is with some pride that we announce that on 7 June 1995 the Friends of Mount Athos was entered in the Central Register of Charities as No. 1047287. The object of the society, which was discussed at the AGM, is described as 'The advancement of education of the public in the study and knowledge of the history, culture, arts, architecture, natural history and literature of the Orthodox monasteries of Mount Athos'. Henceforth our activities and our expenditure must be directed to that object alone.

This is an important development for the Friends for several reasons. Formal recognition as a charity gives the Friends some standing and is a mark of the society's coming of age. It gives us a number of financial advantages, particularly in the ability to recover income tax on covenanted subscriptions and donations. And it is helpful when we come to apply for grants from other bodies. It also imposes a degree of accountability and discipline which it behoves us to regard as healthy.

The limits imposed on our activities and our expenditure will have to be adhered to, but there is no reason why they should cramp our style. We shall, for example, no longer be able to support financially such ventures as the SYNDESMOS Spiritual Ecology Camp, but we can and have supported their publications programme. Nor can we raise money for the restoration of buildings or works of art on the Mountain, though we can do so for the conservation of archives and manuscripts which have a more directly educational value. Our involvement with translating works of Athonite spirituality will of course continue; and so will our determination to offer the monks a link with the outside world whenever they need it.

Relations between the Mountain and the Patriarchate
It was reported in the Annual Report for 1994 that recent rifts both between monasteries on the Mountain and between the Mountain and Constantinople were 'largely healed'. Unfortunately this statement proved unduly optimistic. At the start of this year a rift within the brotherhood of Megiste Lavra resulted in the dispatch of yet another exarchate from the Patriarchate. Bypassing the Holy Community in Karyes, this delegation went straight to the Lavra where it attempted to solve the crisis by instituting a 'trial' behind closed doors in front of the Gospel Book and relics. But the real problems have not been solved; the atmosphere within the monastery remains tense; and the Holy Community is of course incensed at this repeated intrusion in its domestic affairs.

The Friends received appeals from more than one monastery to give as much publicity as possible to the current state of affairs and the background to it. This we were pleased to do by means of a feature article in The Times on Easter Monday (17 April 1995), signed by Sir Steven Runciman in his capacity as President of the Friends. A Greek translation of the article was subsequently published in Kathimerini on 11 June. Once again the Friends have demonstrated not only their willingness but also their ability to respond to the needs of the monks in a moment of crisis. This time there is evidence that feathers were severely ruffled not only in Constantinople but also in Athens.

The Vatopedi Appeal
In the short time since it returned to cenobitic rule in 1990, the monastery of Vatopedi has made rapid progress towards the restitution of both its spiritual and its physical well-being. Contrary to popular belief, its income is small, though it has great treasures and extensive buildings (all of which are a drain on its resources). Its brotherhood, which now numbers some sixty monks, is young and energetic and, as anyone who has visited them will agree, one of the most open and welcoming on Athos today. Their initiative in sending us a copy of their appeal brochure for every member of the Friends was one that we were delighted to respond to and in March we opened an account dedicated to the Vatopedi Appeal, taking care to stipulate that our contribution be made 'to the library for the protection and conservation of the manuscripts and archives'. The charitable status of the appeal has now been confirmed, and it is a pleasure to record that in the first six months it has raised more than 5000 pounds. This is a superb achievement and I should like to take this opportunity to thank all those members who have given so generously. To those who have not yet done so, and to those who would like to give more, we can now offer the further inducement of covenanted contributions and donations through Gift Aid. Further details will follow.

Recent Meetings of the Friends
The year began in traditional style with another Vassilopita party at the Maria Andipa Icon Gallery in Knightsbridge on 10 January. This event was much enjoyed by all those present (though not a few, including our President and Chairman, were kept away by illness) and raised the splendid sum of 587 pounds. We are once again indebted to Mrs Andipa for her kind hospitality and to Mr Ilya Haritakis for his masterly organization.

The AGM took place in Oxford on 7 June and was attended by some fifty members and guests. After the conclusion of formal business Mr Philip Oswald gave an illustrated talk on 'The Flora and Fauna of the Holy Mountain', a version of which will be printed in the Annual Report.

Dr Philip Sherrard
We regret to announce the death of Philip Sherrard on 30 May 1995 at the age of 72, a Patron of the Friends since its foundation. We extend our deepest sympathy to his widow Denise who has recently joined the society. An obituary will appear in the Annual Report.

Next Meeting of the Friends
The winter meeting of the Friends will take place on the evening of Wednesday 29 November (6 for 6.30 pm) in the Courtroom of St Andrew's, Holborn, by kind permission of the Bishop of Stepney (whom we congratulate on his imminent translation to the diocese of London). The speaker will be Fr Ephrem Lash of the monasteries of Dochiariou and Whitby. Further details will be circulated nearer the time.

Christmas Cards
Christmas cards are available again this year and may be ordered from Dr Dimitri Conomos (whom we congratulate on his election as President of SYNDESMOS). Once again they are from the monastery of Vatopedi, so by ordering some you will be contributing to the prosperity of both the Friends and that monastery. They will also be on sale at the meeting on 29 November. But if they sell as quickly as they did last year, it would be advisable to order early. See the enclosed circular for details.

Graham Speake
Hon. Secretary

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