Article 111
Each coenobitic monastery is governed by the abbot, the Epitropi, and the Gerontia, whose members are elected in accordance with Article 108.
Article 112
In order to be elected abbot, one must possess the following qualifcations: a) he must be of good morals, be pious and distinguished by irreproachable conduct, ecclesiastical and all-round education, and ad ministrative capability; b) he must be no less than forty years of age); c) he must have been tonsured on Mount Athos and, preferably, have lived at least ten years in the monastery in question.
Article 113
If amongst the brethren of the monastery no candidate for the abbacy can be found with the qualifications listed in Article 112, the brother hood may invite a monk from elsewhere on Mount Athos, whom they deem suitable and entrust him with the position of abbot.
Article 114
On the day of the new abbot’s election, which must be announced by a decision of the Gerontia at least five days in advance of the election date, all monks who were tonsured at least six years prior to the date of the election convene in the katholikon [central and main church] of the monastery and by secret voting before the Gerontia they select the can didates. The two candidates who receive the most votes come up again for a second vote. The candidate who receives the most votes is elected abbot. Lots are cast in the event of a tie between candidates.
As soon as the election takes place, the relevant act of this fact shall be registered in the monastery’s Codex and signed by the Epitropi and Gerontia. A copy of it shall be sent to the Hiera Koinotis in order for the new abbot to be formally appointed according to the customs. The appointment cannot be put off for more than a month.
Candidates who have previously been abbots in the monastery do not need to be formally appointed.
All of the brethren who have the right of voting but who are carrying out a diakonima outside of the monastery must be notified about the election and the date thereof. Only concrete proof of receipt is accepted as confirming that these brethren have been notified. If the election are not conducted according to the rules, a letter of protest may be sent to the Hiera Koinotis within a period of five days. The Hiera Koinotis will then make an irrevocable judgment about the validity of the election. In the event the Hiera Koinotis decides the annulment of the election, then another election shall be announced immediately, according to the above-mentioned procedure, to be held on the Sunday that follows the notification of the decision to the monastery.
Article 115
The abbot is appointed for life. If he abuses his power or is considered incompetent in his duties and refuses to correct his misconduct despite repeated recommendations by the Gerontia, he is removed from his post by a decision of the Gerontia and the majority of the brethren who have the right to vote, by a signed declaration of their decision.
Article 116
The election of an abbot may not for any reason be postponed for more than six months.
In the interim period and before the new abbot is elected the monas tery’s affairs are run by the Epitropi and Gerontia. The Hiera Koinotis is to be informed of the deposition of the abbot in the same way that it is informed of his election. On no grounds may someone who has already been condemned for misuse of monasterial property be appointed abbot.
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Article 117
The Great Church of Christ must be informed, via the Hiera Koinotis, of the election of an abbot.
Article 118
The abbot as the spiritual father has, on his own and independently of the Epitropi, spiritual authority over the brotherhood of the monastery. He supervises the state of their souls, warns about any deviations and, by means of his teaching and exemplary life which ought to be worthy of imitation, leads them to the objective of their monastic devotion. Conversely, the brotherhood ought to show respect and render full obedience to the abbot.
Article 119
The Epitropi consists of two or three members elected each year by and from amongst the members of Gerontia. It collaborates with the abbot who presides over it. They are jointly responsible for the governance and administration of the monastery. A unilateral decision by the abbot or the Epitropi thus has no force.
Article 120
The abbot is required to collaborate with the Epitropi with regard to all questions of an administrative nature. They must faithfully carry out together all decisions of the Gerontia, whose executive authority they represent. Without first consulting the Epitropi, the abbot may not take any unilateral action. This also applies to the Epitropoi, who may not take any decision without first consulting the abbot. The Gerontia is summoned to resolve any disputes between the abbot and the Epitropi.
Article 121
The abbot is not allowed under any pretext to concentrate all authority in his own hands, or to usurp the rights of the Epitropi and Gerontia and ignore their views. If the Gerontia notes such actions once or twice and records them in its minutes, but the abbot does not correct his be haviour, he may be removed by a vote of two thirds of the Gerontia. If such a decision is not accepted by the vast majority of the brotherhood, however, the Hiera Koinotis is called upon to resolve the dispute in its capacity as supreme supervisor on the faithful observance of the present Constitutional Charter.
Article 122
The abbot, Epitropi, and Gerontia are responsible for the correct functioning of the coenobium. They ought to serve as exemplars of the life in common; to sit at their place in the common trapeza [refectory], while avoiding and forbidding private meals; to teach non-acquisitiveness and love through their actions; to show concern for the sick and elderly; and in all aspects of their life to show exemplary regard and respect to the coenobitic rules and institutions.
