Athens, January 18, 2012
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| Metropolitan Ambrosios of Kalavrita and Aigialia |
"We've recently mentioned it, but I'll say it again. The Ecumenical Patriarchate sometimes behaves as a mother-in-law! Thus, in our modest opinion, he has behaved in this case," the Romfea Greek agency cites the Metropolitan as saying.
According to him, the fact that the rector of a great ancient monastery of Holy Mt. Athos was detained on the eve of the Nativity of Christ induced many religious and secular figures to speak for Father Ephraim.
"The position of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and some lesser hierarch-brothers of our Church who voiced their position were the only exclusion and dissonance," Metropolitan Ambrosios further said.
According to the hierarch, expenses of the Constantinople Patriarch in Greece have been paid directly by the Vatopedi Monastery, which means by Father Ephraim; then Constantinople didn't reject the monastery and quietly used its help and resources.
