For what we are about to receive, thank the monasteries using organic farming methods
Organic products bearing the label of a monastery should come as no surprise to the shopper for fruit, vegetables, olive oil or wine in organic food stores. Over the last few years, a growing number of monasteries have declared an interest in joining a certification system for organic produce, especially after Patriarch Vartholomeios declared himself in favor of organic farming and environmentally friendly practices in general. Ten monasteries all over Greece, chiefly on Crete and Mount Athos, already have their products certified by the body for the certification of organic foodstuffs, DIO. Recently, another initiative has gained ground: The Olive and Subtropical Plants Institute established as one of its basic goals the conversion of monastery crops on Crete to model ecological farms. For the institute’s director, Vangelis Bourbos, this is how ecological farming will spread, in crops and areas on the island which offer comparative advantages. On Crete, there are 53 monasteries, creating favorable conditions for pilot organic schemes. Moreover, the philosophy of organic farming suits that of the monasteries in which, more often than not, monks’ sensibilities lead them to abjure the use of chemicals. As the announcement by the institute says, «the ascetic ethics of monks act as a counter to the profit motive and consumerism and lead them to voluntarily abandon the rapacious exploitation of natural resources and to confining themselves to the bare necessities. In the monasteries, farming is not undertaken with a view to enrichment. Orthodox monasticism is a model that emphasizes providing for one’s basic needs and respecting the environment.» Even before the recent initiative, quite a few monasteries had taken part in organic farming schemes. Already, four certified monasteries exist in the prefecture of Hania: the Sacred Monastery of Chryssopigi, which produces mushrooms and oil; the Sacred Monastery of Mount Sinai, which grows avocados, olives, citrus fruit, vegetables and peaches; the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, which grows olives, citrus fruit, grapes and wine; and the Toplou Monastery, which grows olives. Other monasteries on Mount Athos produce olives and oil. Monastic organic farms can also be found in Magnesia and Laconia, and many of the monasteries sell their produce, which can be found in many organic food stores in Athens. Usually, however, they have their own market – that is, they sell their products directly to visitors to the monasteries. At the same time, the Institute’s initiative is going well; it has already sent a letter to the bishoprics of Crete and an invitation to all of the monasteries for a meeting at the Chryssopigi monastery in Metochi, Aghia Kyriki, on July 4.
