(Registered CharityNo.1047287)
Ironstone Farmhouse, Milton, Banbury OX15 4HH
Newsletter No. 3, 12 October 1996

The first half of the year was dominated by preparation for two major events, the memory of which will live long in the hearts of those that attended them. As usual, a fuller account will appear in the Annual Report which is sent out to members. This Newsletter will simply sketch in the highlights and give notice of forthcoming events and other news.

The Reception Given by HRH the Prince of Wales
Members of the society were honoured to be invited by HRH the Prince of Wales to attend a reception at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire on 28 May 1996. Prince Charles had already indicated his support for Mount Athos in a variety of ways - by accepting honorary membership of the Friends, by contributing generously to the Vatopedi Appeal of which he is patron, and by visiting the Holy Mountain in person. His invitation was therefore a most welcome gesture for which we remain deeply grateful. The guests included HM King Constantine, Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of Vatopedi, and two other Fathers from that monastery. After receiving us inside the house and then taking us on a tour of his beloved and beautiful gardens, the Prince spoke of his profound feelings for the "magical monasteries" of Athos and how important it was for them to be protected and preserved. Our President then delivered a spontaneous and moving tribute to His Royal Highness for his hospitality and to the strength and vitality of the Orthodox tradition.

The Visit of the Abbot and Fathers of Vatopedi and the AGM
The society was also greatly honoured by the visit of Abbot Ephraim, Fr Isidore, and Fr Niphon, all of the Monastery of Vatopedi, who came to England as our guests in the last week of May. Fr Ephraim's principal objectives were to thank the Friends personally for their generous support of the Vatopedi Appeal and to thank the Prince of Wales for his patronage. To enable him to achieve both, it was necessary to hold the Highgrove Reception and the AGM in the same week. This was not ideal. But with the guidance of the Theotokos, careful planning, and help freely given by many people, all went well.

The Fathers indicated that they wished to stay in London, so Evangelos Perry and his wife Loreto very kindly accommodated them in their house in Dulwich. From there they were able to pay courtesy calls on Archbishop Gregorios, Metropolitan Anthony, and King Constantine and also to make excursions to Tolleshunt Knights, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Highgrove. The climax of the visit was their presence at the fifth AGM of the Friends, which took place in Oxford on Thursday 30 May. For the first time this was an all-day event, and hoping for a good turnout we hired the recently completed conference centre at St Anne's College. In the morning session Fr Isidore gave an illustrated talk on the monastic revival currently taking place at Vatopedi. After a buffet lunch and the formal business of the AGM, Abbot Ephraim spoke about the spiritual life of Mount Athos with particular reference to the theology of St. Gregory Palamas. And at the end he presented each person in the audience with an Athonite prayer rope.

The visit by the Fathers of Vatopedi was a very great privilege for our society and we are deeply indebted to them for undertaking such a bold venture into unknown territory. Their effort was clearly appreciated by our members who turned out in record numbers to listen to them. We look forward not only to renewing our links with Vatopedi but to forging similar links with all the monasteries of the Holy Mountain

Exhibition of Paintings by Stephen Grady: Donation to St Panteleimonos
It was a particular pleasure to be able to combine the AGM with an exhibition of paintings of Athos by our member Stephen Grady. Several paintings were sold during the day, and a percentage of the proceeds has now been presented to the Russian Monastery of St Panteleimonos on behalf of the society and the artist.

Vasilopita Party: Profits to Lakkou Skete
Once again we celebrated the new year with a Vasilopitta party at Maria Andipa's Icon Gallery in Knightsbridge. We are grateful to Maria and Acoris for making us so welcome and also for their generous gesture in offering us 10 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of any icon to a member of the society during 1996. (Iconophiles please note!) Profits from this year's party were rounded up to 1000 pounds and given to the Romanian Skete of Lakkou for the creation of a library. The library will be housed in the guest-house which is currently undergoing restoration. Priest Monk Stefan has written to express the thanks of the Fathers and to send us their prayers. Details of the 1997 party are enclosed with this Newsletter. We need volunteers to organize this event: please contact the Secretary if you are London based and able to help.

Friends of Mount Athos Travel Bursary: Applications Invited
The society intends from time to time to award a travel bursary to cover the cost of a student's visit to Mount Athos. Applications are invited from suitably qualified graduate students working for a higher degree or diploma at institutions of higher learning in the UK. Applicants may be drawn from any discipline but should be already engaged in or willing to become engaged in a project with specifically Athonite context. The value of the award is 300 pounds. Applications, accompanied by the names of two academic referees, should be addressed to the Secretary at the above address. The attention of applicants is drawn to the fact that women are never admitted to Mount Athos.

The Next Meeting of the Friends: 20 November 1996
The winter meeting of the Friends will take place on the evening of Wednesday 20 November at 6 for 6.30 pm in the courtroom of St Andrew's, Holborn, by kind permission of the Bishop of London. Dr. Dimitri Conomos will present a (vocally) illustrated talk on 'The Musical Tradition of Mount Athos'. Members are encouraged to bring guests.

Christmas Cards for 1996
Christmas cards are available again this year and may be ordered from Derek Simons. As usual, they are from the Monastery of Vatopedi, so by ordering some you will be aiding both the Friends and the monastery. They will also be on sale at the meeting on 20 November; but to avoid disappointment members are advised to order early.

A Pilgrim's Guide to Mount Athos
This booklet has recently been reprinted with corrections. Joining members continue to receive it without charge. Further copies may be obtained from the Secretary, price 2 pounds.

Visit to the Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of Tolleshunt Knights
It is hoped to organize a visit in the summer of 1997 to this famous monastery that was established by the late Fr Sophrony in 1959. Members who would be interested in coming are invited to contact the Secretary or Dr. Conomos.

Graham Speake
Honorary Secretary

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