Monk of Theotokos Skete dies in traffic accident on Mt Athos

Karyes is the administrative center of Athos, where the traffic accident involving a monk occurred. Photo: Vima Orthodoxias

On April 14, 2026, a fatal traffic accident involving a monk occurred on Mount Athos in the Karyes area, reports Vima Orthodoxias.

According to available information, agricultural machinery operated by the monk overturned on a mountain road in a remote area. As a result of the accident, the driver sustained fatal injuries, and another person who was in the vehicle was injured.

On this topic Procession with “Axion Estin” icon held at Koutloumousiou on Mount Athos

It has been preliminarily established that the cause of the accident could have been a sudden heart attack: the monk lost control of the vehicle, after which the equipment went off the road. The injured person was taken to Polygyros hospital. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.

The tragedy occurred shortly after the completion of the litany of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God “Axion Estin” (“It is Truly Meet”) – a particularly venerated shrine of the administrative center of Mount Athos, which traditionally takes place in Karyes during the Easter period.

The deceased monk belonged to the Theotokos Skete and, according to testimonies, was respected among the brotherhood. His death caused grief in the Athonite community and among pilgrims who were on the Holy Mountain during the festive days.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a cleric of the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy died from wounds sustained as a result of shelling.

Read also

Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million

Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.

DESS official says state should not govern the Church

A DESS official called for cooperation between the state and the Church for the benefit of citizens.

Poltava court upholds mobilization of Protestant pastor

A court in the Poltava region ruled that a prior criminal conviction and religious beliefs do not exempt a person from military service.

Ostapenko: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra would not exist without Soviet-era reserve

The reserve director spoke about the Soviet museum’s role in saving the monastery, while stressing the need to rethink its history.

Metropolitan Anthony criticizes DESS order on Boryspil Eparchy

The UOC chancellor rejected officials’ findings, pointing to procedural violations in the DESS review.

Two more parishes in Sloviansk reregistered under OCU

The organizer behind the transfer of UOC communities in Sloviansk said the reregistration of churches would continue.