With all due solemnity, the customary ceremony for the installation of the new Holy Epistasia took place on Sunday, 14 June, in Karyes on Mount Athos, marking the beginning of the new administrative term of the Athonite State.
On the occasion of the completion of the term of the Lavra Epistasia, the Holy Community gathered on Saturday for the traditional commemorative photograph, with the participation of the outgoing Protepistatis, Elder Abraham of the Great Lavra, and the Representatives of the twenty Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos.
Also featured in the photograph were the Serdarides* in their traditional attire, together with the secretaries of the Holy Community, reflecting the continuity of the centuries-old Athonite tradition.
The new Protepistatis is Elder Georgios of Vatopedi Monastery. The other members of the new Holy Epistasia are Elder Tarasios of the Koutloumousiou Monastery, Elder Joseph of the Karakallou Monastery, and Elder Theophanes of the Stavronikita Monastery.
Among those present at the ceremony were Mr Alkiviadis Stefanis, Civil Administrator of Mount Athos, Mr Konstantinos Gkioulekas, Deputy Minister of the Interior responsible for Macedonia and Thrace, the heads of the public services of Mount Athos, and representatives of institutions and authorities of the Athonite State.
Source: ope.gr | Photo report: Raphael Georgiadis
*The Serdarides (or Serdaraioi) are the traditional armed guardians and law officers of Mount Athos. Their office dates back to the Ottoman era, when the Athonite Monastic State relied upon Christian armed guards to safeguard its frontiers, woodlands, and strategic routes of access.