Article 37
All written documents compiled by the Hiera Koinotis and monasterial authorities, and especially plenipotentiary letters ratified by the Hiera Epistasia, have the full force of public documents before all State authorities.
Article 38
The monks of Mount Athos are exempted from military service.
Article 39
The provisions of the CCMA about kellia are hereby approved, provided that they do not contravene the Patriarchal, Synodal Sigillion of June 7, 1909. In case there is a contradiction with the aforementioned provisions, the Sigillion is granted precedence. The only exceptions are the provisions at the end of Chapter II, about arbitration and those in Chapter III of the aforementioned Sigillion, concerning the correction and restoration of ancient borders, that are not confirmed by the present Legislative Decree and are thus unable to be put into effect.
Article 40
After the publication of the present Legislative Decree, the Biannual Extraordinary Synaxis shall legislate regulatory provisions introducing a full management system of scientific exploitation and protection of the forests of Mount Athos, as well as the formation of a special forest service.
Article 41
The organization of the Athonite Academy, as well as other similar educational establishments, and its function on an ordinary basis as an ecclesiastical academy, should begin no later than two years after the current Decree is adopted. Their task should be systematically teaching and developing the crafts practiced on Mount Athos, including church music, icon painting, woodcarving, etc.
Article 42
Responsibility for care and maintenance of libraries, manuscripts, pre cious religious objects, ancient icons, vestments, and other such objects rests in the hands of the monasteries where they are stored. These tasks are carried out under the direct supervision of the Hiera Koinotis and the Biannual Synaxis, which is obliged to issue special regulatory provisions relating to them.
Article 43
Any provision of disciplinary or other nature, relating to the [as yet] undefined situation of Mount Athos, and the disputes that have con sequently arisen amongst various groups of monks, are hereby voided.
Violations of Article 186 of CCMA entail a penalty of between two months and one year imprisonment. This penalty is not redeemable.
Article 44
The Constitutional Charter of Mount Athos shall be published togetherwith the present Legislative Decree in the Official Government Gazette as a law of the State.
The present Legislative Decree shall enter into force on the first day af ter the Constitution comes into effect, provided that the latter has been published.
Athens, September 10, 1926.
President of the Republic: Pavlos Koundouriotis
Prime Minister, President of the Council of Ministers: G. Kondilis
Council of Ministers (members): P. Argiropoulos, K. Triandafilopoulos, F. Petimezas, I. Drosopoulos, A. Pappas, L. Nakos, K. Aposkitis
