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most part, however, I believe it is caused by the fact that the romanian
authorities close to the holy Mountain has not been sufficiently interested
in the condition and the position of the romanian monks, the way the
representatives of other orthodox states do in an attempt to protect the
rights of their fellow countrymen.” 16
the Balkan wars were going to modify the situation in the area, including
the regime that had so far applied in the Athonite community. In november
1912, the Greek state took control over the holy Mountain peninsula and
declared it in state of siege. upon replacing the ottoman authorities, the
Greeks guaranteed the maintaining of the local customs. In the european
capital cities and at the london conference one discussed the situation of
the Athonite monks, and several solutions were provided: either remaining
within the ottoman state under the former regime, or incorporating within
the Greek state with a new regime, or creating an independent organization
under an international guarantee.
the romanian Athos monks sent in 1912 to the Bucharest authorities
a project regarding the rights that they requested, in which project they
reiterated the previous requests. In the end of the project, they noted:
“romania must request and obtain for us the control over the holy
monastery of cutlumuş… which appears to have been decided ever since
its restoration, with the consent of all of the other monasteries, starting with
the Great romanian Monastery… We, the romanians from the Kingdom,
who are entitled to this monastery for our own salvation and for the salvation
of our brothers living in the provinces inhabited by romanians, who shall
want to live with us, on the basis of the same national rights of origin and of
blood, shall also take care of the Greek monks who are in this monastery.” 17
the romanian state increased its concern for solving the situation of
the Athonite monks. In December 1912 the romanian Minister in london,
N, Mişu, was sent a report on the romanian past and presence in Athos and
instructions regarding the action to be taken. In the meantime, the situation
of the romanian monks under Greek military occupancy worsened. From
Athos, one sent several letters that described the persecutions directed
against the romanian monks. prime Minister titu Maiorescu decided
to send professor i. Mihălcescu and diplomat dan in Athos. in Athens,
Minister Djuvara appealed to the minister of Foreign Affairs, Cormilos,
in favor of the romanian monks. the Minister’s attitude was benevolent,
as he needed romanian support in light of the imminence of the military
conflict with Bulgaria. the situation of the romanian monks has suffered
16 AMAe, fond Problema 15, vol. 27, f. 278.
17 Ibidem, vol. 29, f. 21.