| March 7-8, 2004 ERP KIM Newsletter 07-03-04 Photographs and most recent information regarding the tragic fire at Chilandar Monastery can be found at http://www.hilandar.org | ACCOUNTS FOR DONATIONS TO CHILANDAR MONASTERY
SaM DINARS: 250 – 549 – 05
FOREIGN CURRENCY: 54280 – 4117462466
AT EFG EUROBANK
RECIPIENT: HOLY CHILANDAR MONASTERY FUND
FOR: DONATION FOR RESTORATION OF CHILANDAR MONASTERY | Vesti Serbian language émigré newspaper, Frankfurt, Germany
Sunday, March 7, 2004 RELIGIOUS SERVICES RESUME AT CHILANDAR FOLLOWING CATASTROPHIC FIRE
PRAYER FROM THE ASHES
• Two nights ago the monks held first religious services after the fire in the central Church of the Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple • I have never seen or experienced a more moving sight in my life, says Jugoslav Vukadinovic, the Serbia-Montenegro General Consul in Thessaloniki  | | Aftermath of destructive fire that befell the Serbian monastery of Chilandar on Holy Mt. Athos - View of monastery from northwest side where many monastery buildings were destroyed | | The fire that befell Chilandar (Chilander, Hilandar) the night of March 3-4 is a colossal catastrophe not only for the Serbian people but for civilization as a whole. The destruction wrought by the fire swallowed more than 800 years of Byzantine and Serbian history. Next to the ruins, among the ashes where a good part of what was guarded and protected for eight centuries ended up, for every stone of the monastery is priceless, two nights ago the monks held the first religious services after the fire in the central Church of the Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple. They first carried the icon on the throne of the monastery, that of the of Holy Theotokos the Tricheirousa, into the church, having moved it to safety before the threat of the fire. "Covered with ash and burned by the fire, they monks prayed to God with tears in their eyes." Thus did Jugoslav Vukadinovic, the Serbia-Montenegro General Consul in Thessaloniki, describe his impressions from Chilandar. He emphasized that he had never seen or experienced a more moving sight in his life. | We wrested things from the fire | | The monks of the Greek old calendar monastery of Esfigmenos (Esphigmenou), the closest monastery to Chilandar, were among the first to rush to its aid. They worked on putting out the flames together with the monks of Chilandar and other monasteries on Mt. Athos, helping to save and remove precious objects before the destruction of the fire.
"The catastrophe is unfathomable. It was horrible; we wrested everything we could from in front the fire and inside the flames. The sight of the enormous ash heap is tragic; the collapsed walls and bare skeletons of the destroyed residences is ghastly. May God help the brotherhood," said monk Simeon of Esfigmenos Monastery, a Serb by birth, visibly shaken, adding that the Chilandar monks are now attempting to pull everything that has survived the fire from the ashes in the desire to preserve and restore it. | |  | | The White Dormitory in flames | | "The very stones must be weeping. It is essential that we all mobilize and help to restore this holy shrine, first of all, that we send emergency assistance to the monks. They fought heroically against the flames in the desire to save as many valuables and relics as they could. The monks themselves have been left with nothing, without a roof over their heads and Holy Mt. Athos is cold with a strong wind. All they have left is their firm faith in God and hope in all people of good will. Chilandar has no electricity or telephone service, food, clothing, footwear, basic necessities. The fire destroyed everything. Our consulate and our citizens living in northern Greece have already brought the most necessary items, and the Serbia-Montenegro Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arranged for assistance to be collected which will be sent to the monastery on Monday," said Vukadinovic. | Serbian Crown Prince on Mt. Athos | | Crown Prince Aleksandar II Karadjordjevic traveled from London to Chilandar to express his desire to help, as well as to offer solace and support to the brotherhood after this terrible tragedy. The Crown Prince learned of the extent of the damage to the monastery caused by the fire and promised to help, his office advised. | | Vukadinovic added that the official report on the causes of the fire is also scheduled to be released on Monday. Initial estimates of material damage are 10 million euros and it will take about 10 years to rebuilt the destroyed parts of the monastery. He said that people are needed now to help the monks in cleaning up the ruins, conservation experts, roof builders to cover the rest of the monastery complex. | Accounts opened for donations | | Both the Government of Serbia and the Government of Greece have promised assistance and donations have already been sent by numerous business organizations in Serbia. Many people of good will, especially Serbian citizens living abroad, have expressed an interest in details on where to send their donations. The Serbian Orthodox Church has opened bank accounts in Europe, the Americas and Australia for donations to Chilandar. The account numbers are available on the Internet site of the SOC: www.spc.yu | |  | | Chilandar Monastery closed for pilgrims and journalists until further notice | | The monks of the Greek old calendar monastery of Esfigmenos (Esphigmenou), the closest monastery to Chilandar, were among the first to rush to its aid. They worked on putting out the flames together with the monks of Chilandar and other monasteries on Mt. Athos, helping to save and remove precious objects before the destruction of the fire.
"The catastrophe is unfathomable. It was horrible; we wrested everything we could from in front the fire and inside the flames. May God help the brotherhood," said monk Simeon of Esfigmenos Monastery, visibly shaken. | Building materials from Kikinda (North Serbia) The management and executive board of Toza Markovic Company from Kikinda have accepted the appeal of the Patriarchate of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Chilandar Monastery Fund to help with the restoration of the most holy Serbian religious shrine as soon as possible. The Kikinda brick factory has decided to donate the building materials necessary for construction. Milenko Mihaljcic, the marketing director at Toza Markovic Company, has asked the Chilandar Monastery Fund to provide them with specific information regarding their needs with respect to building materials. Fire caused by chimney After an emergency meeting the Holy Council of Chilandar Monastery advised that "according to the official report of the Polygiros firefighters, the cause of the fire was a chimney that caught fire in the abbot's offices, in the residence hall on the northwest side". The Council decided that all activities in connection with donations and support to the monastery should go through the Holy Chilandar Monastery Fund in Belgrade (telephone: +381-11-3690602 or +381-11-3692004). Official communiqués, views and new information are available at the Internet site: www.hilandar.org The Holy Council of Chilandar Monastery will work with the Greek Center for the Protection of the Heritage of the Holy Mountain and other appropriate institutions in order to develop a general and long term plan and program for the restoration of the monastery.
The Holy Council also advised that Chilandar cannot receive pilgrims or journalists until further notice. | By Rada Loncar
"Vesti" (Frankfurt) reporter
TOP
 | | Aftermath of the destructive fire that befell Chilandar Monastery on Holy Mt. Athos | | Official Communiqué of the
Holy Chilandar Monastery Fund
CONCLUSIONS OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE
HOLY COUNCIL OF CHILANDAR MONASTERY
Chilandar, Belgrade, March 6, 2004
The Holy Council of Chilandar Monastery held an emergency meeting the afternoon of Friday, March 5. It deliberated urgent measures to repair the damage caused by the fire.
By the decision of the Holy Council, additional prayers to the Most Holy Mother God, St. Sava and St. Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher have been added to regular religious services in order to secure blessings for the restoration of the monastery and salvation from further trials. The Chilandar brotherhood asks the faithful both at home and abroad to unite in prayer, mentioning the suffering monastery and contributing to the resurrection of the Serbian Imperial Laura, as well as of the entire people. A decision has been made that all activities with regard to the collection of assistance and organization of the entire support effort for the monastery be conducted through the Holy Chilandar Monastery Fund in Belgrade. The administration of Chilandar Monastery is in direct contact with the Fund and through it provides authentic information as well as official positions of the monastery itself. The Holy Council asks all institutions and individuals who are able to assist or who have organized the collection of assistance to contact the Holy Chilandar Monastery Fund in Belgrade at +381-11-3690602 or +381-11-3692004. Chilandar Monastery emphasizes that individuals should not undertake independent campaigns but harmonize their efforts with the assistance program implemented by the Monastery in cooperation with its fund in Belgrade. The first essential assistance has already been received from the Holy Mountain itself, from Serbs living in Thessaloniki, who immediately organized themselves and their Greek friends, as well as from the Army of the Republic of Greece. The assistance was very effective and quick.
The Holy Council also advises that it is not able to receive pilgrims, journalists and others who want to help by their presence. Presently, only teams of specialists are in the field who are working on an initial assessment and damage control. After these initial assessments, the Holy Council of Chilandar Monastery with work with the Greek Center for the Protection of the Heritage of the Holy Mountain (KEDAK) and other appropriate and relevant institutions in order to develop a general and long term plan and program for the restoration of the monastery.
According to the official report of the Polygiros firefighters, the cause of the fire was a chimney that caught fire in the abbot's offices, in the residence hall on the northwest side. The fire began to consume to the wooden frame underneath the roof, quickly spreading to other buildings as far as the Church of Holy Archangels and St. Sava Tower in the northeast, which were spared. ACCOUNTS FOR DONATIONS TO CHILANDAR MONASTERY
SaM DINARS: 250 – 549 – 05
FOREIGN CURRENCY: 54280 – 4117462466
AT EFG EUROBANK
RECIPIENT: HOLY CHILANDAR MONASTERY FUND
FOR: DONATION FOR RESTORATION OF CHILANDAR MONASTERY A special Serbia-Montenegro dinar account has been opened for donations to the monastery: 250 – 549 – 05
Foreign currency account with the same bank: 54280 – 4117462466
The accounts are with EFG EUROBANK. The recipient is the Holy Chilandar Monastery Fund and donors should note it is a donation for restoration of Chilandar Monastery.
Donations from abroad should be made exclusively to the account of Chilandar Monastery in Greece which will be published soon. [??? Gore smo rekli da sva pomocc iz matice i izvana treba biti upuccena preko zaduzzbine u Beogradu.]
United efforts in collection of assistance are necessary due to organization of mentions of all donors in monastery religious services, as well as efficient organization of restoration efforts.
For further information on methods of payment and assistance, interested parties are urged to contact the Holy Chilandar Monastery Fund in Belgrade. Official communiqués, position and most recent information is available on the Internet site: www.hilandar.org
The Holy Chilandar Monastery Fund will direct most of its efforts toward supporting the monastery itself, as well as continuing with its regular activities in philanthropy, education, science and culture -- the purpose for which it was originally created by Chilandar Monastery. Director of the Holy Chilandar Monastery Fund Milivoj Randjic TOP
The Information Service of the
Serbian Orthodox Church
Belgrade, March 6, 2004 PATRIARCH PAVLE RECEIVES
SERBIAN PRIME MINISTER VOJISLAV KOSTUNICA SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST IN RESTORATION OF CHILANDAR APPEAL TO CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES TO JOIN IN RESTORATION EFFORTS 
On Saturday, March 6, His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Kyr Pavle received Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica in the Belgrade Patriarchate. His Holiness informed the Prime Minister of the extent of the horrible damage suffered by Chilandar Monastery as the result of the fire that befell it. Patriarch Pavle expressed his deep grief as a result of the catastrophic fire in which priceless treasures were forever destroyed and said that the ash heaps of Chilandar are a great wound to the Serbian people. Mr. Kostunica emphasized that Chilandar Monastery has always been a pillar and foundation for Serbia, a shrine where the eyes of the Serbian people have been focused throughout the centuries with pride and love. Prime Minister Kostunica added that now is the time for all forces to unite in offering assistance to the monastery. He informed the Patriarch regarding measures to be implemented by Serbian institutions to begin the restoration of the devastated parts of the monastery. In addition to initial emergency assistance, the Serbian Government will prepare a plan for long-term restoration and renewal of Chilandar. The Serbian Patriarch and Prime Minister appealed to all businesses, citizens of Serbia and the entire Serbian people at home and abroad to assist the monastery in order to provide for the life of Chilandar Monastery and begin the restoration of destroyed residences and chapels. Both concluded that it was especially fortunate and a blessing that the central church, the archive, the library and the treasury were preserved. Accounts at Privredna Banka Beograd D.D. (Belgrade Commercial Bank) are as follows: FOR DONATIONS FROM SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO ONLY: SaM dinars no. 908-25501-08 citing no. 5070-1810003
foreign currency no. 5428-0588005 recipient: Chilandar Monastery
for: donation to Chilandar Monastery TOP
POLITIKA Online DRAMATIC AFTERMATH OF FIRE AT CHILANDAR (Politika daily, Belgrade, March 6, 2004)
The tears of monks
Eight centuries of Serbian history destroyed in two hours
(Politika special report)  | | Prof. Dusan T. Batakovic, Serbia-Montenegro Ambassador in Athens, was among the first to visit devastated Chilandar | | A realistic picture of what happened and what remains after the catastrophic fire at Chilandar Monastery on Holy Mt. Athos is far more horrible than can be expected or imagined. The specter is depressing, for eight centuries of Serbian history perished in two hours of fire. These are impressions and accounts of the first eyewitnesses from the Serbia-Montenegro Embassy who visited the site today and who wept together with the monks on the ashes. The fire has been put out; the ashes are still smoldering and here and there the centuries-old wooden construction is still flickering after the collapse of the burning roof where the fire began. Only the outside walls remain for everything inside has collapsed. A thick cloud of ominous dust still floats over Chilandar.
Like after bombing
Everything from St. Sava Tower to the monastery refractory burned: half of Chilandar Monastery. The frescoes at the entrance have been preserved but in the residence halls four churches, the historically significant White Dormitory from the 17th century which was undergoing restoration, the guest receiving room, monastic cells, the abbot's offices, everything up to the refrectory itself, has been destroyed.
Fortunately, as the monks say, thanks to the Holy Mother of God, the fire did not engulf the central church, the library, the treasury and the archives.
We spoke with the eyewitnesses as they were returning by boat from Mt. Athos, still under the deep impression of what they saw there.
What we saw when we entered Chilandar early this morning was horrible, defeating. It looked like it had been bombed; it reminded me of Belgrade," said Dusan T. Batakovic, Serbia-Montenegro's Ambassador to Greece, in a telephone interview. Dr. Batakovic journeyed with a group of embassy officials from Athens and consular officials fro Thessaloniki to the scene of the misfortune. With them were experts for the Greek Institute for the Protection of the Heritage of the Holy Mountain (KEDAK), who conducted the initial assessment of the damage.
"The extent and consequences of the fire are far greater than could have been expected," said Ambassador Batakovic. "According to my own assessment and the statements of Greek experts, the damage is extensive - about 10 million euros. It will take at least ten years to restore the interior of the monastery. What is needed now are expert consultants for removal of the ruins, experts for conservations and work on reroofing the entire complex. During efforts to put out the fire, water seeped into the monastery refractory and consequently the frescoes located there are also in danger." Ambassador Batakovic reminded that two years ago our country signed an agreement with Greece on cultural and technical cooperation that encompasses joint care and restoration of Chilandar.
"This is the legal basis on which we will try to begin the restoration together with the Greeks. We have their promise that they will make maximal efforts and offer us all necessary assistance," said Dr. Batakovic, emphasizing that it is necessary to send humanitarian aid from Serbia to the brotherhood as quickly as possible. Without a roof over their heads
The first secretary of the Serbia-Montenegro Embassy in Greece, Srdjan Pirivatric, said that as soon as news broke regarding the fire, Serbs from Greece and throughout the world started calling the embassy, offering assistance and seeking more information. "Only now, upon our return from the Holy Mountain, do we understand the extent of the tragedy that has befallen us. The monks courageously took the blow, heroically fighting the destruction of the fire and attempting to save the relic and artifacts. However, it is my impression that it will take a couple of years just to prepare a plan and do the preparatory work, that is, to clean the remnants of the fire from the facility." Our general consul in Thessaloniki, Jugoslav Vukadinovic, with whom we also spoke by telephone as he was returning from Chilandar by boat was also deeply shaken.
"Never in my life have I seen something more horrible and sad... The tears of monks are the most difficult thing! This was their house, their home, everything they had," he said, visibly moved. "They have been left more or less with the clothes on their backs, without their dearest mementos... The fire swallowed everything they had in their monks' cells. The Holy Mountain is windy and cold; they are dressed poorly, burned by the fire and covered with ashes... They just looked at us and wept together with us... They no longer have a roof over their head and will spend yet another night alone under the open skies. They have no electricity, no telephone service, not even the most rudimentary necessities. But they are such dedicated people as a group, especially Fr. Metodije, Abbot Mojsije, Frs. Petar and Serafim, the whole brotherhood. They wrenched everything they could from the fire and despite this, eight centuries of history was destroyed in two hours." The general consul in Thessaloniki, Jugoslav Vukadinovic, promised a campaign to collect humanitarian assistance and the first packages with basic necessities, clothing and footwear, personal hygiene items would be sent to Chilandar by Monday. At the same time, he conveyed the request of the brotherhood that assistance be sent in organized fashion through the Chilandar Monastery Fund in Belgrade,Vojvode Misica Street 69, telephone 063 284 355.
"It's the least we can do. Because what I saw there, the tears flowing without a single word, the devastation left by the fire, is something I will remember my whole life," said Vukadinovic.
By Jasmina Pavlovic-Stamenic TOP
HRH Crown Prince Alexander II visits Chilandar Monastery
Belgrade, 6 March 2004 - HRH Crown Prince Alexander II visited today Chilandar Monastery that was recently damaged by the big fire.
Immediately upon finding out about the disastrous fire, which has caused great damage to the medieval Serbian Imperial Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece, deeply affected by the news of the accident, the Crown Prince set off from London to Chilandar. Despite the bad weather conditions, HRH Crown Prince Alexander II arrived to the Monastery where he was welcomed by the brethren with bells tolling.
The Crown Prince went to see the ruined parts of the Monastery compound and talk to the to the brethren and on the spot witness the size of the damage caused by the blaze.
Addressing the Brother Superior and the monks, HRH Crown Prince Alexander II said:
" Reverend brethren of Chilandar,
It was with horror that I received the news of the terrible accident that happened to you here and to all of us Serbs and orthodox Christians to whom Chilandar has always been light in darkness, light in faith and in hope.
That is why I have hurried to see for myself the size of the damage and to offer my help, so that this loss could be made less unbearable.
Holy Mother of God, your patron, has protected what is most valuable and what can never been restored, but what has happened is a great warning and an alarm that our awakeness has weakened and our vigilance has lessened.
I am aware that you do not need words at this moment, but tangible help, both material and spiritual.
It is nevertheless comforting that in this accident no one of the brethren has perished, for the treasure of Chilandar has never been what is in the books and on the walls, but above all, the god’s temple that each Chilandar monk has in his heart and soul.
God has blessed us with Chilandar, and if we are worthy, through Chilandar and in Chilandar, he will rebuild us" - emphasized the Crown Prince.
TOP
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