(Registered Charity No.1047287)
Ironstone Farmhouse, Milton, Banbury OX15 4HH
Newsletter No. 7, March 1999
The 1999 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
(A notice about the 1999 AGM accompanied this newsletter.)
In addition to the advertised lectures there will be an exhibition of linoprints of "The Towers of Athos" by Markos Kambanis, like the one illustrated on the back cover of the annual Report for 1998. These will be for sale at modest prices. There will also be the usual bookstalls carrying a wide range of publications of Athonite and Orthodox interest.
At the AGM itself there will be one item of special business which concerns a change to our constitution of which I hereby give formal notice. For some years we have felt a degree of frustration that our status as an educational charity prevented us from raising money and giving grants for the work of the monasteries themselves and for the restoration of buildings and conservation of works of art on the Holy Mountain. So many members expressed a wish to give money for such purposes, and there are so many obvious examples of need, that we decided we must try to extend our charitable objects with a view to making this possible. The Charity Commissioners have said that they would in principle consent to the adoption of an additional object and power that would give us greater freedom, subject to their being approved by a two-thirds majority of members voting at the forthcoming meeting. The new object is
and the new powerThis object would allow us to support the work of the monasteries in receiving pilgrims and would also encompass objects and buildings used for public worship; buildings used to accommodate and provide other facilities for pilgrims; books and other items used for the religious instruction of pilgrims; buildings used to accommodate monks engaged in public worship or the instruction of pilgrims, etc. The emphasis is on public worship. It would not cover the restoration of works of art in individual cells; nor would it include the conservation of the natural environment. It does however encompass the greater part of what we wish to be able to do and we commend it most strongly to our members. Please come and vote for it!
Also at the AGM there will be elections. As your Secretary I have reached the end of my term of office. I shall therefore tender my resignation and offer myself for re-election. We have also decided to enlarge the Executive Committee in order to spread the administrative burden of running the society. Anthony Hazledine (already co-opted) has indicated his willingness to stand. Any other nominations for the Executive Committee or for the secretaryship should reach me in writing at least one week before the meeting. As always, guests are welcome to attend the AGM but may not vote.
Regulations for entry to Mount Athos
The attention of members is drawn to the fact that the procedure for obtaining a permit to visit Mount Athos has changed yet again. The new procedure is fully explained in the Annual Report for 1998.
FoMA Travel Bursary
A travel bursary of £300 has recently been awarded to Edmund Simons who is working on the architecture and history of Iviron, and in particular its predecessor, the monastery of St. Clement. We are pleased to be able to support his work in this way and we look forward to reading about his results.
The Illustrated History of the Monastery of Vatopedi
The English edition of this two-volume work, entitled The Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopaidi: Tradition-History-Art, whose publication we celebrated at a reception at St. James's Palace in July 1998, is now available. The full price is £145. However Zeno's bookshop, 6 Denmark Street, London WC2H 8LP (tel. and fax 0171 836 2522) has kindly offered it to members of the Friends at a special price of £110 + p&p. It is reviewed by Anthony Bryer in the Annual Report.
The Icons of the Holy Monastery of Pantokrator
A lavish treatment of the monastery's collection of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons has recently been published. In 386 pages and more than 180 colour plates it illustrates 150 portable icons and wall paintings, including original works of Theophanis the Cretan and wall paintings from the school of Panselinos. Copies may be obtained from the monastery (tel. 377 23253; fax 377 23685). The price is $120 US inclusive of p&p.
Support for Brother Aidan
Brother Aidan is an active member of the Friends and was a speaker at our 1997 AGM. He is also a talented iconographer and sculptor, and has transformed the property in which he lives in a remarkable way. But there are still many alterations and improvements that he would like to carry out, and the trustees of his hermitage are appealing for funds. If you would like to support Brother Aidan in his work, please contact Mrs. Margaret Simons (Edge View, Birds Barn Lane, Wolverley, Kidderminster, Worcs DY11 5SG).
Book Search
Quest Books specializes in secondhand and rare books about Byzantium. Members with particular "wants" are encouraged to contact them at Harmer Hill, Millington, York YO42 1TX (tel. 01759 304735; fax 01759 306820).
Graham Speake
Hon. Secretary
| 11.0 | Coffee and registration in the Mry Ogilvie Foyer |
| 11:3 | Bishop Kallistos will take the chair
Pere Placide (Deseille), Igoumenos of the metochia of Simonopetra in France, will speak (in French; English text available) on the subject of |
| 13.0 | Buffet lunch |
| 14.15 | Professor Robin Cormack , Professor in the History of Art at the Courtauld Institute, University of London, will give an illustrated lecture on
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| 16.0 | Tea and departure |