Changes

:::I am, of course, unqualified to judge an elder like Fr. Ephrem, but I have heard troubling reports from time to time. The Pokrov web site appears to be trying to present both sides of the matter, but there's a great deal of emotionality from both sides. If the accusations that I have seen are true, things could be very bad--but that is if and only if such accusations are true. There is a certain rigor in Athonite monasticism--and a rather vigorous way of expressing this rigor. This could be misinterpreted. Regarding the news story, one quote did strike me as an example of this culture clash: "Their brain is run by the monastery. They can't read whatever they want to read. They have to ask for permission for everything they do." From what I understand of monasticism in general, this sort of discipline is normal in both East and West for newcomers to the community. [[User:Dogface|Dogface]] 12:30, February 10, 2006 (CST)