UPDATE  - November 15th 2007 - In a continuation of the government's official campaign of harassment, the Greek government has concocted new charges to press against the monks.  Three individuals appeared at the monastery gates requesting to "inspect" the antiquities at the monastery on behalf of the Greek government.  When the monk asked for their official identification to verify they were in fact Greek government officials, the men refused and left.  Now they have filed charges against Abbott Methodios of the monastery for "refusing entry" to Greek government officials.  Of course, if they had been allowed access to the antiquities without having asked for identification, the Greek government of Ms. Dora Bakoyannis would have prosecuted them for improper care of antiquities. When you are dealing with a corrupt government, as Greece was ranked by the impartial Transparency International, you can't win. 

November 2007 - The Greek Government of Mt Athos, under the administration of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, continues the blockade of all humanitarian deliveries to Esphigmenou monastery.  As the monks continue to lose weight and become ill from the denial of food and medicine, Ms. Bakoyannis continues to prohibit the visitation of doctors to the monastery to provide medical care.  The monks are citizens of the EU and citizens of Greece, a NATO ally.  As death hangs over the monks while they wither away, Ms. Bakoyannis does nothing to lift the land and sea embargo enforced by the Greek Police and Greek Coast Guard under her control, even for humanitarian reasons.   And she hopes to one day become Prime Minister of Greece.  God help us all.

Please e-mail Ms. Bakoyannis and ask her to lift the embargo