Article 28
The twenty Holy Monasteries are divided into five groups of four, each of which constitutes the Hiera Epistasia from the period of June 1 to May 31 of each year. To this end, one person from each of the monasteries in the group of four whose turn has come up is sent to serve as an Epistatis. He must possess the same qualities as the monastery’s representative to the Hiera Koinotis.
The groups of four are as follows:
- Megisti Lavra, Docheiariou, Xenophontos, Esphigmenou
- Vatopedi, Koutloumousiou, Karakallou, Stavronikita
- Iviron, Pantokratoros, Philotheou, Simonopetra
- Hilandar, Xeropotamou, Saint Paul, Grigoriou
- Dionysiou, Zographou, Rossikon, Konstamonitou
The Epistatis from the monastery of the highest rank in each group has the title of Protepistatis. He presides over the Hiera Epistasia and holds the staff of the Protos.
Article 29
Epistates are equal amongst themselves, with the Protepistatis being primus inter pares. Decisions are taken by majority vote; in the event of a tie, the matter is referred to be examined and resolved by the Hiera Koinotis. Any decision of the Hiera Epistasia taken without the knowl edge of one or more of its members is invalid.
Article 30
Should one of the Epistatis be absent, he shall hand over his portion of the seal to his trusted representative. However, it may not be passed to another Epistatis. In the case that all representatives are absent, they pass to the Chief Secretary of Hiera Koinotis.
Article 31
The seal of the Hiera Koinotis has at its centre the icon of the Mother of God called “Wider than the Heavens” (Platytera), being adorned peri metrically with the inscription: “ΣΦΡΑΓΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΟΡΟΥΣ ΑΘΩ” [“Seal of the Hiera Koinotis of the Holy Mountain of Athos”]. In conformity with ancient custom, it is always handed over to the new Epistates. It consists of four pieces, of which each Epistatis holds one.
Article 32
Any unilateral or autonomous action by one of the Epistates is invalid and entails, like every dereliction of duty, a reprimand from the Hiera Koinotis. In the event of recurrence, his monastery may be issued with a binding request to replace him.
During the recess period of the Hiera Koinotis, the remaining Epistates denounce such an action to the Holy Monasteries, via an encyclical letter.
Article 33
The Epistates shall live permanently in Karyes, but they may be absent according to their hierarchical order, if the needs of the Hiera Epistasia require so. The Protepistatis is not allowed to resign his post.
Article 34
Each monastery may nominate the same person as its representative to the Hiera Koinotis and as an Epistatis. However, the monastery that nominates the Protepistatis is under no circumstances allowed to do this. If it fails to comply, the Hiera Koinotis does not recognize the Protepistatis and the office continues to be held by his predecessor until the monastery conforms to the proper election process.
Article 35
The Hiera Epistasia is tasked with managing a common treasury. It an swers to its constituent monasteries, and is managed based on a budget approved by the Hiera Koinotis.
Any expenditures not provided for in the budget should be approved by the Hiera Koinotis through a special decision. Otherwise, responsibility for such expenditures lies with the Epistates who make them.
All expenses should be substantiated by receipts. These receipts are submitted for a biannual report that is presented to and examined by a control commission elected by the Hiera Koinotis.
Article 36
Contributions to the general treasury of the Hiera Koinotis are spent on maintaining the Sacristy, the Protaton, the Academy, a Commissioner for affairs outside Mount Athos, law enforcement officers (Seimenides and Serdares), and for both regular and irregular needs of the Hiera Koinotis. These contributions are obligatory for all monasteries and dependencies, sketes, and kellia, as determined by the supreme legislative body of Mount Athos, the Extraordinary Twenty-member Synaxis and they are collected by the Hiera Epistasia according to the established custom.
Article 37
The Hiera Epistasia is responsible for forwarding all correspondence of the Hiera Koinotis and authorizing it with its seal according to Article 25; it supervises also the public sanitation in Karyes, repair ing of roads, and maintaining public lighting; it carries out public hygiene inspections and sets prices on foodstuffs; it supervises and safeguards the maintenance of proper and decent conduct on Mount Athos by forbidding the use of obscenities, singing, games, musical instruments, any disorder, smoking, and horseback riding on cen tral streets; it is responsible for keeping shops closed in the evening hours, on Sundays, and on official holidays, and secures that no meat or other non-fasting foods are sold on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the calendar year and during the periods of fasting. It has the right to deport any drunk, non-worker, or misbehaving person from Mount Athos with the assistance of its own law enforcement forces (Seimenides and Serdares) or the State Police forces quartered in Karyes, if necessary.
Article 38
Secretarial support for the Hiera Koinotis and the Hiera Epistasia is provided by a Chief Secretary, who ought to be a monk of one of the mon asteries of Mount Athos and not younger than twenty-five years of age. He should have a university degree or be a graduate of a theological school; if not, he must have completed his secondary education. He has the help of at least one assistant secretary.
The Chief Secretary attends the sessions of the Hiera Koinotis but does not himself have a vote. He announces the topics for discussion, presenting any necessary information and openly expressing his opinion when asked. He maintains the codices, accounts, books, and archives of the Hiera Koinotis, draws up the minutes of meetings and other documentation, and generally he is responsible for seeing to it that the operation and information of the offices of the Hiera Koinotis are well-fucn tioning. In the case of his absence or being unable to be present, he shall be replaced by his assistant. In the body of the Hiera Epistasia, the Chief Secretary has an advisory role.
Article 39
The assistant secretary works under the direct supervision of the Chief Secretary. He should be a monk of one of the monasteries of Mount Athos, over twenty-five years of age, and the graduate of a secondary school, special college, or ecclesiastical school.
Article 40
The Hiera Epistasia serves as the executive branch of the Hiera Koinotis. Apart from this, it has the authority of a municipality and a Local Court.
