Simion’s activities in Moldova led to allegations he was trying to destabilize the country and a ban on his entry there. He is also banned from entering Ukraine for “systemic anti-Ukrainian” activities.
from across the world, including converts from non-Orthodox nations.The monastery is one of 20 in the autonomous all-male monastic community of Mount Athos, known in Greek as Agion Oros, or Holy Mountain. The peninsula is no stranger to foreigners. Of the 20 monasteries, one is Russian, one is Bulgarian and one is Serbian, and the presence of monks from other nations is not unusual.
But it is in Simonos Petra where the greatest range of nationalities lies.Monks pray during the afternoon liturgy at the Simonopetra, or Simonos Petra Monastery, home of the all-male autonomous community Agion Oros, or Holy Mountain, on the peninsula of Mount Athos in northern Greece, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)Monks pray during the afternoon liturgy at the Simonopetra, or Simonos Petra Monastery, home of the all-male autonomous community Agion Oros, or Holy Mountain, on the peninsula of Mount Athos in northern Greece, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Father Simon tolls the bell to summon monks and visitors to afternoon prayers at the Simonopetra, or Simonos Petra Monastery, home of the all-male autonomous community of Agion Oros, or Holy Mountain, on the peninsula of Mount Athos in northern Greece, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)Father Simon tolls the bell to summon monks and visitors to afternoon prayers at the Simonopetra, or Simonos Petra Monastery, home of the all-male autonomous community of Agion Oros, or Holy Mountain, on the peninsula of Mount Athos in northern Greece, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Father Makarios shows a 1744 map depicting the Simonopetra, or the Simonos Petra Monastery, home of the all-male autonomous community Agion Oros, or Holy Mountain, on the peninsula of Mount Athos in northern Greece, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Father Makarios shows a 1744 map depicting the Simonopetra, or the Simonos Petra Monastery, home of the all-male autonomous community Agion Oros, or Holy Mountain, on the peninsula of Mount Athos in northern Greece, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)with Hamas in March, throwing the territory of over 2 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis in nearly 19 months of war.
Israel has said the blockade and its renewed military campaign are intended to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages it still holds, most of them thought to be dead, and to disarm the Palestinian militant group.The U.N. high commissioner for human rights previously warned that starving civilians as a military tactic is a war crime.
Aid groups have said Gaza’s civilian population is facing starvation, and there is concern that the desperation could lead to a breakdown of law and order. Although there have been incidents of looting by armed gangs throughout the war, aid workers say this week’s looting marks an escalation, as it was less organized and reached urban areas.The ransacking in Gaza City began Wednesday evening after reports that aid trucks had entered the north from the south, said one aid worker who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to address the media. A security report circulated among aid agencies that night saying a group of armed people had broken into a bakery, driven by rumors that it held food supplies.