1-2 July 2018 on the Holy Mount Athos held celebrations dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the arrival in Russia a monk of the Vatopedi monastery of the monk Maxim the Greek, according to patriarhiei. In 1518, at the request of Grand Prince Vasily III monk Maxim came to Moscow, where he began translating and editing the spiritual books.
The blessing of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill and at the invitation of the Holy Kinot, as the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church the festive Church services were attended by the head of the Moscow Patriarchate office for institutions abroad, Archbishop of Vienna and Budapest Anthony.
In the morning of July 1, the Hierarch arrived in the monastery of Vatopedi, where at the Holy gates, he was met by the Abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Ephraim. Bowing to the shrines of the main monastery Church, the Archbishop had a long conversation with father Abbot, in which, in particular, discussed the issues on the agenda of inter-Orthodox relations.
The same day Archbishop Anthony met with arrived on the representative of the Constantinople Patriarchialism Drumskin Paul.
Evening in the monastery Catholicon was served at small Vespers, followed by a General meeting of the guests of the monastery. Among the participants were Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Anthony, Metropolitan of Arta Kallinikos, who heads the diocese in the homeland of St. Maximus, abbots and representatives of the Athonite monasteries.
The late evening started with a festive all-night vigil. During lithium, according to the tradition of the Vatopedi monastery, the Assembly hall held a meeting, which was attended by guests, pilgrims and monks of the monastery. Addressing those present, Archbishop Anthony conveyed to them the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch Kirill and shared reflections on the significance of the feat of the monk Maxim the Greek. The Hierarch noted that the Russian Church gratefully remembers the contribution of the Vatopedi monastery in the matter of the approval of Orthodoxy in sacred Russia and honor of St. Maximus as a model of monastic obedience, as the great educator and Confessor.
Archimandrite Ephraim, in turn, warmly welcomed the envoy of the Russian Orthodox Church and expressed his joy in connection with his participation in the celebrations on Mount Athos.
During Matins, which ended about three hours a night, Archbishop Anthony as the guest of honor was at the service and anointed worshippers consecrated oil.
At six o’clock in the morning on 2 July, after a short break, began the divine Liturgy. The archpastors were assisted by a host of monks, guests and pilgrims of the monastery in Holy orders. The service was conducted in Greek and Church Slavonic languages. In the middle of the Church was izlesen the ark with the relics of St. Maximus passed the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy the Vatopedi monastery of Troitse-Sergeeva Lavra.
After the divine service in the refectory held a gala dinner which concluded the celebration.
In the evening, Archbishop Anthony prayed for statutory worship in the Cathedral Church of the monastery, and the next day, taken an affectionate farewell of the Abbot and the brethren departed to Moscow.