Moscow, October 31, 2017
Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos Archimandrite
Ephraim met with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. According to
monasterium.ru, Fr. Ephraim, one of the most influential spiritual fathers on
the Holy Mountain, noted in the conversation with the head of state that all
are in need of spiritual communication—janitors and officials, oligarchs and
presidents.
“They are simple people; the first thing that
interests everyone is the salvation of the soul,” Archimandrite Ephraim shared.
During the meeting, the abbot gifted the Russian
president an icon from Mt. Athos. According to Fr. Ephraim, the president
venerated the icon with great reverence. The head of state’s treatment of
sacred objects is, according to the monk, an indication of his faith in God.
“And our knowledge about his life, his parents, and
his origin, testify to us that this is a miracle,” Archimandrite Ephraim stated
about President Putin.
The Athonite abbot arrived in Russia to hold spiritual
conversations with residents and guests of Ekaterinburg. A meeting was held on
Friday in the Spiritual-Educational Center of the Ekaterinburg Diocese in which
the abbot shared various spiritual experiences, spoke about life on Mt. Athos,
and answered various questions.
Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi had previously visited and
spoke with residents of Ekaterinburg while traveling with the miraculous Belt
of the Theotokos, which is treasured at Vatopedi Monastery, in 2011. At that
time, President Putin, then prime minister, met the Vatopedi delegation upon
arrival at the St. Petersburg airport on October 20.
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