Cenobitic monasteries of Mount Athos (currently all twenty monasteries) are governed by an abbot, an Epitropi, and a Gerontia in accordance with the special provisions of the Constitutional Charter (articles 108, 111 and following).
Specifically:
I. The abbot is elected for life by secret ballot, in which every monk who has been a member of the brotherhood for at least six years is entitled to vote. (articles 114-115).
To be elected as abbot, one is required to meet particular qualifications (article 112). Specifically, one must be virtuous, pious, have an impeccable behavior, possess both theological and general education, as well as administrative abilities. This person must be at least forty years old, having taken monastic vows in Mount Athos, and preferably having lived for no less than ten years in the same monastery. If none of the monks of the monastic community meet those criteria, then by the decision of the brotherhood, any monk may be invited from another monastery of Athos, and appointed as abbot if deemed worthy. (article 113).
Immediately after the election of the abbot, the corresponding protocol is recorded in the monastery’s regulations, and a copy is sent to the Holy Community, so that the official appointment of the new head can take place within a month. The Ecumenical Patriarchate is also informed of the election and receives a copy of the protocol. (article 117).
The abbot, as spiritual father of the community, possesses exceptional spiritual authority over the monks, guiding them through teachings and his personal example. Therefore, they are expected to show him respect and unconditioned obedience (article 118). Additionally, the abbot is responsible for the judicial and extrajudicial representation of the monastery, managing its affairs in cooperation with the Epitropi, according to the internal regulations of the monastery. More general matters, such as loan agreements, real estate purchases, building repairs, accepting novices, monastic tonsure, appointing stewards in metochia, etc., are resolved by the Gerondia of the monastery (article 90) and executed by the abbot and the Epitropi (article 120).
The abbot can be removed from office by the decision of the Gerontia and a formally written and signed decision by the majority of the voting members of the brotherhood, if he abuses his position in the exercise of his duties, or if he is deemed incapable and fails to comply with the requirements of his office despite repeated warnings from the Gerondia. (article 115).
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II. The Gerontia (council of elders) is an important administrative body of the monastery, as it, as previously noted, makes decisions on all significant and general matters concerning the life of the brotherhood.
Members of the Gerontia are elected for life, according to specific provisions of the internal regulations of each monastery, which determine both the number of members and the method of their election. Decisions of the Gerontia, presided over by the abbot, are made by relative majority, except in cases where the law requires absolute majority.
The Gerontia is also responsible for approving the monastery's budget and financial report (articles 87 and 89), making decisions on matters of general significance (article 90), electing its members (article 108), inviting members of the brotherhood to elect the abbot (article 114), annually electing members of the Epitropi (article 119), removing the abbot (articles 115 and 121) and resolving disagreements between the abbot and the Epitropi (article 120).
III. To conclude, the Epitropi is a collective body consisting of several members. The number of them —two or three— is regulated by the internal regulations of each monastery. Its members serve a one-year term and are elected from among the Gerontia. (article 119).
The Epitropi does not have the right to act independently. All responsibilities related to administration and management are carried out in cooperation with the abbot, under whose presidency it operates.
