Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, was imprisoned in Athens’ Korydallos Prison in December 2011 as part of legal proceedings concerning a land exchange agreement between the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi and the Greek State. After three months, he returned to the monastery and was subsequently fully acquitted of all charges.
During his imprisonment, through his written words and frequent paternal exhortations, he continued to guide, strengthen, and encourage his monastic brotherhood.
With Elder Ephraim’s blessing, the letters he sent from prison to the monks of Vatopedi will now be published for the first time on the Monastic Assembly website under the title “A Word from Prison.” They will be presented in three parts, both in the original Greek and in Serbian translation, thanks to the efforts of Ms. Maja Rašović, who translated them.
We are also publishing the foreword written especially for this occasion by Abbot Ephraim himself.
The immediate occasion for publishing these letters is the visit of Archimandrite Ephraim, who has brought the “Honourable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos“ to Belgrade as a blessing for our people.
These letters offer a profound insight into Archimandrite Ephraim’s spiritual disposition during times of trial, as well as the pastoral responsibility and love with which he cares for his spiritual flock.
May this living word, born of lived experience, be of help to all who seek spiritual guidance in these difficult times.
The Organizing Committee of the St. Prohor Monastic Assembly
Source:
https://www.monaskisabor.rs/
The English translation is presented below:
