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Abbot Ephraim of Vatopedi undergoes heart surgery

Mt. Athos, February 6, 2019

Photo: fondmg.ru

Photo: fondmg.ru

Archimandrite Ephraim, the abbot of the Athonite Monastery of Vatopedi who suffered a heart attack in Kiev, underwent heart surgery yesterday in a foreign clinic, reports the Russian site Tsargrad and the Greek site Romfea.

Following coronagraph examinations, doctors performed a balloon angioplasty surgery to insert two stents in a clogged coronary artery in the abbot’s heart. Five stents were inserted during his previous operation a year and a half ago.

Doctors have advised Fr. Ephraim to rest and remain in the clinic for heart monitoring.

He had arrived in Kiev, under an ultimatum from Constantinople, to participate in the enthronement of “Metropolitan” Epiphany Dumenko, the head of the Ukrainian schismatic church, in the delegation representing the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Sacred Community of Mt. Athos had voted against sending its own delegation, though five monasteries did vote in favor. However, as Fr. Ephraim’s monastery, Vatopedi, was not among those that voted to go, and as Fr. Ephraim is known to be very close to the canonical Ukrainian Church and has spoken out against the Ukrainian schismatics in the past, it was widely speculated that his heart attack in Kiev was faked so that he wouldn’t have to attend the illegitimate enthronement.

However, despite Fr. Ephraim’s absence, Vatopedi was still represented by Hieromonk Maximos. Xenophontos Monastery was also represented by its abbot Archimandrite Alexios, and Koutloumousiou Monastery was represented by Hieromonk Chrysostomos from its St. Panteleimon’s Skete.

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2/6/2019

See also

Despite abbot’s absence, hieromonk of Vatopedi attended schismatic enthronement with abbot of Xenophontos and monk of Koutloumousiou

Despite abbot’s absence, hieromonk of Vatopedi attended schismatic enthronement with abbot of Xenophontos and monk of Koutloumousiou

Despite abbot’s absence, hieromonk of Vatopedi attended schismatic enthronement with abbot of Xenophontos and monk of Koutloumousiou

Despite abbot’s absence, hieromonk of Vatopedi attended schismatic enthronement with abbot of Xenophontos and monk of Koutloumousiou
Despite Fr. Ephraim’s absence, another monk of Vatopedi, Hieromonk Maximos was present, as well as Hieromonk Chrysostomos of the St. Panteleimon’s Skete under Koutloumousiou Monastery. All three Athonite hieromonks present also served and communed.

Abbot Ephraim speaks with UOC hierarchs on phone, leaves Ukraine for further treatment

Abbot Ephraim speaks with UOC hierarchs on phone, leaves Ukraine for further treatment

Abbot Ephraim speaks with UOC hierarchs on phone, leaves Ukraine for further treatment

Abbot Ephraim speaks with UOC hierarchs on phone, leaves Ukraine for further treatment
The hierarchs wished Archimandrite Ephraim a speedy recovery, and he, in turn, asked that they convey his love to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine and to all the hierarchs of the canonical Ukrainian Church, reports the site of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Abbot of Ephraim of Vatopedi, arriving in Kiev on ultimatum, suffers heart attack

Abbot of Ephraim of Vatopedi, arriving in Kiev on ultimatum, suffers heart attack

Abbot of Ephraim of Vatopedi, arriving in Kiev on ultimatum, suffers heart attack

Abbot of Ephraim of Vatopedi, arriving in Kiev on ultimatum, suffers heart attack
Doctors believe that Fr. Ephraim’s hospitalization could last indefinitely. Thus, his presence at the enthronement is highly unlikely.

Abbots of Vatopedi, Xenophontos Athonite Monasteries to attend enthronement of Ukrainian schismatic with Pat. Bartholomew

Abbots of Vatopedi, Xenophontos Athonite Monasteries to attend enthronement of Ukrainian schismatic with Pat. Bartholomew

Abbots of Vatopedi, Xenophontos Athonite Monasteries to attend enthronement of Ukrainian schismatic with Pat. Bartholomew

Abbots of Vatopedi, Xenophontos Athonite Monasteries to attend enthronement of Ukrainian schismatic with Pat. Bartholomew
According to exclusive information from Constantinople, Pat. Bartholomew asked them to join his delegation to Kiev in order to mitigate the impression created by the Holy Mountain’s decision as a whole not to send a delegation.

Certain Athonite monasteries will close gates to Epiphany Dumenko; two abbots to reportedly join EP’s delegation to Epiphany’s enthronement

Certain Athonite monasteries will close gates to Epiphany Dumenko; two abbots to reportedly join EP’s delegation to Epiphany’s enthronement

Certain Athonite monasteries will close gates to Epiphany Dumenko; two abbots to reportedly join EP’s delegation to Epiphany’s enthronement

Certain Athonite monasteries will close gates to Epiphany Dumenko; two abbots to reportedly join EP’s delegation to Epiphany’s enthronement
Documents published by the Greek site orthodoxia.info clarify that the request for an Athonite delegation came from Epiphany Dumenko himself (not directly from Patriarch Bartholomew) with the blessing of Pat. Bartholomew and was forwarded to the Holy Mountain from Constantinople.

Mt. Athos rejects Constantinople’s request to send delegation to enthronement of Ukrainian schismatic primate

Mt. Athos rejects Constantinople’s request to send delegation to enthronement of Ukrainian schismatic primate

Mt. Athos rejects Constantinople’s request to send delegation to enthronement of Ukrainian schismatic primate

Mt. Athos rejects Constantinople’s request to send delegation to enthronement of Ukrainian schismatic primate
The Sacred Community of Mt. Athos resolved at an extraordinary session yesterday, January 28, to reject Patriarch Bartholomew’s request that they send a delegation to the enthronement of Constantinople’s schismatic Ukrainian primate, “Metropolitan” Epiphany Dumenko, in Kiev on February 3.