Archimandrite Alexios (Mantziris), Abbot of the Xenophontos Monastery of Athos, believes that Russia has chosen to return to the Soviet godless past and is trying to impose it on others, which is certain to result in a catastrophe.
The elder told this to the director of the International Institute of Athonite Heritage, Dr. Serhii Shumylo.
According to the Athonite Elder, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is the beginning of this catastrophe, which will have very serious consequences for Russia...
According to the abbot, as a child, he witnessed communist guerrillas supported by Moscow killing his fellow villagers and bringing their severed heads in baskets for identification by relatives.
"He survived the horrors of communist war crimes and remembers their consequences well, so he understands Ukrainians and our desire for freedom and is on our side. He says that if the Greeks had not defeated the communists, there might not have been a Greece," Dr. Shumylo wrote on his Facebook page.
"Our parents fought for freedom, for our homes and families. Now Ukrainians have to fight in the same way again," the Athos elder said.
In his opinion, a return to the USSR is impossible. Ukraine will be free, it is fighting for its sacred right to exist, granted by God, and God is definitely on the side of Ukraine, not the aggressor.
"During our conversation, Elder Alexios assured me that he prays for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people every day. He prays especially hard for all Ukrainian prisoners of war and for their release. He sends all Ukrainians, especially Ukrainian soldiers, his blessing and words of prayerful support with wishes of faith, endurance, courage, peace and salvation," said Dr. Serhii Shumylo.