Particularly, we address from this Ecumenical Throne the reverend and most beloved fathers of the desert, who excel in asceticism on Mount Athos. We affirm: that not even for one moment is it conceivable or possible for Mount Athos to exist, continue and fulfill the age-old most honorable Orthodox monastic tradition without its sanctified links with the Mother Great Church. Therefore, we deem it our duty to do everything for the preservation, prosperity, flourishing, protection, and radiance of the Holy Mountain, always within the canonical order of the Orthodox Church and in the spirit of her hierarchal structure. We ask of the Fathers exactly that which we request of ourselves: the active practice of the two basic monastic virtues, namely, humility and obedience to the Church in fear of God and in faithfulness to their monastic vows.

We have nothing more to add in addressing the historic Monastery of the Disciple of Love on Patmos and the other monastic centers attached to this Throne, which we embrace with equal affection, esteem and interest.