Make donations and worship in Russian monasteries, the exhortation
Following the cessation of communion between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in addition to the clergy, Russian pilgrims received recommendations for their visits to Mount Athos.
In particular, the Russian Orthodox Church has banned Russian pilgrims from confessing and receiving the Mysteries of the Immaculate Conception on Mount Athos, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Mount Athos is the favorite destination for Russian officials, oligarchs, but also twice for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the BBC, more than $ 200 million has been spent since 2005 by Russian businessmen on the maintenance of monasteries, the restoration of roads, the construction of chapels, the reconstruction of damaged buildings, etc.
The Russian Church, as reported by the BBC, knows the amount of money entering Mount Athos, while a special magazine has been published with details of each project in the Orchard of the Virgin.
This event was also commented by the President of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Rev. Fr. Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Mr. Hilarion.
His Excellency, in his statements, suggested to the businessmen to turn to the Monasteries of Russia, emphasizing: “I would now advise them to turn their attention, and to invest in the Russian monasteries of their country. We have our own Monasteries that are in great need, such as the Solovetsky Monastery, the Balaam Monastery, the Kiev Lavra, the St. Sergius Lavra and many more ".
"If there is a desire to give money for a sacred purpose, we have many more holy shrines and monasteries than on Mount Athos" - said in another place Metropolitan Hilarion.