The Political Commander of Mount Athos Alcibiades Stefanis at the Hellenic Diplomatic Academytranslated

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

The Political Commander of Mount Athos, General Alcibiades Stefanis, was at the Hellenic Diplomatic Academy. Mr. Stefanis discussed with the prospective Followers of the L' educational series about two particularly important and topical issues. The first theme was about strategic decision-making in the light of hybrid threats as well.

The second topic had to do with the role of ecclesiastical diplomacy, making special reference to Mount Athos, as a timeless pillar of Orthodoxy and our cultural heritage.

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Владимир Макаров

It is interesting that Athos also spoke about the role of church diplomacy. It is precisely in our time that it is important not to forget that Athos is not just a place, but a real stronghold of Orthodoxy for a thousand years.

Daniel Miller

Interesting talk on church diplomacy and Mount Athos as that thousand-year pillar of Orthodoxy. The hybrid threats part makes sense too — real-world decisions aren't clean. Good they brought a guy like Stefanis in to lay it out for the new diplomats.

Emily Clark

I agree, the hybrid threats angle feels especially relevant right now. Stefanis speaking from the Governor’s seat on Athos probably gave those trainees a much more grounded view than any textbook could. Did he mention anything specific about how the monasteries themselves handle those kinds of pressures day to day?

Gregory Mitchell

The hybrid threats discussion sounds like the kind of practical stuff these future diplomats really need. Stefanis has seen how decisions get made when everything’s messy, and tying that to Athos as a steady Orthodox anchor makes sense. Did he talk at all about how the monasteries balance that spiritual role with the day-to-day realities of being on Greek territory?

Marek Szymański

Interestingly, Stefanis talked about the role of church diplomacy and how Athos is a thousand-year-old pillar of Orthodoxy. In our parish, we also often mention how the monks keep the tradition despite all the turmoil in the world. And did he mention anything specific about how the monasteries themselves deal with these hybrid threats?

Katherine Evans

The part about Athos as a thousand-year pillar of Orthodoxy really stood out. Stefanis tying that directly to church diplomacy for future diplomats feels practical, especially when he brought in the hybrid threats side too. I wonder if he gave any examples from the monasteries' own daily life on how they stay steady through all the noise.

Michal Šimko

Nice that he mentioned the role of Athos as a thousand-year-old pillar of Orthodoxy in church diplomacy. Here in Prešov, at church services we often hear about how monks keep tradition even in difficult times. I wonder if he said anything specific about how the monasteries themselves handle those hybrid threats in practice.

Андрей Тарасов

Yes, Vladimir, especially now, when many are trying to use faith in political games. Stefanis correctly emphasized that Mount Athos is not a museum, but a living center where monks still maintain tradition. I wonder, do you think our Kazan diocese could learn something useful from this experience for its international relations?

Ксения Виноградова

It is interesting that Stefanis focused on Mount Athos as the “thousand-year pillar”. At our services in Minsk, Athonite monks are often remembered for maintaining the tradition no matter what. Did he give anything specific about hybrid threats from the life of monasteries?

Павел Соколов

Yes, Andrey, Athos is really alive, and not a museum - the monks serve there every day, just like a hundred years ago. The Kazan diocese would do well to learn from this quiet perseverance, and not from loud statements. Have you been to Mount Athos yourself or do you only know it from stories?

Elizabeth Parker

The hybrid threats part sounds like the messy reality our diplomats need to train for. Stefanis tying it to Athos as that living thousand-year pillar of Orthodoxy makes sense, especially since the monasteries have quietly kept the tradition going through every kind of trouble. I wonder if he gave any specific example from one of the monasteries on how they handle those pressures day to day.

Надежда Морозова

Yes, Pavel, the quiet perseverance of Athos is truly impressive - not just services there, but the whole life according to the rules goes on without fuss. In our Samara choir we sometimes sing Athonite chants in the choir, and you immediately feel the difference. Which monastery have you visited most often?

Agnieszka Kaczmarek

Yes, Marek, it's interesting that Stefanis emphasized this. Our choir brothers in Hajnówka also remember how the monks on Athos simply stick to the rules and prayers, and this in itself is a kind of shield. Did anyone in your parish ask specifically about these hybrid threats, or are these rather general considerations?