This is unprecedented. The tension between Athos monks and the Greek church has reached an all-time high because of their conservative stance on ecumenism

There has been an ongoing tug-of-war for years between the Greek Church and the monks on Mount Athos over Ecumenism, a movement which aims to unite different Christian Churches.

Mount Athos is peninsula in northeastern Greece, and, almost unarguably, the center of Orthodox monasticism in the world.

Athos is a religious world of its own. The monks there retain a connection to ancient ascetic practices and are steel proponents of maintaining Orthodox traditional values, and are opposed to unity with other churches if it involves any compromise of the core, traditional tenets of Orthodox Christianity.

Meanwhile, the Greek Church, which controls the churches of the rest of Greece, pursues a more liberal agenda.

At every turn, they are challenged by Athos monks, coming down from the “Holy Mountain,” to preach against ecumenism. Athos monks are greatly revered by believers and command trust and respect.

In response, the Greek Church passed a shocking decree, unprecedented in Athos's 1000 year history: Athos monks need to receive express permission in order to preach--and even visit-- Greek cities.

This is the latest news on the situation from Ortho Christian: