Greek Orthodox monk claims King Charles ‘is turning to him for spiritual advice’ after his cancer diagnosis
A Greek Orthodox monk has claimed that King Charles has turned to him for spiritual advice since being diagnosed with cancer.
The 75-year-old monarch was diagnosed with shock while recently undergoing a hospital procedure for a benign prostate enlargement.
It is claimed that the king secretly contacted Archimandrite Ephraim, with whom he is said to have been friends for more than 25 years.
The king and the abbot are said to have become close after the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
Elder Ephraim, 67, has never spoken about his friendship with the monarch The sun reports that he claimed the king contacted him after his diagnosis.
The abbot said: ‘Charles has a spiritual refinement, a spiritual life.
“Yes, he has been in contact since the diagnosis and I think he will get over it.”
Greek Orthodox monk Archimandrite Ephraim (pictured) has claimed that King Charles has turned to him for spiritual advice since being diagnosed with cancer
King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after attending a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham last Sunday
The elder claimed to have had a “very good understanding” with Charles, who is said to have visited Mount Athos several times, including eight separate visits to the abbot’s 10th-century Vatopedi Monastery.
Charles reportedly has his own residence in Vatopedi, located on the all-male mountain.
A source told the newspaper: ‘There are no distractions so he can meditate, pray and follow ancient rituals such as getting up at 4am to follow the liturgy which he absolutely loves.’
Charles’ late father, Prince Philip, was born on a kitchen table in Corfu and baptized into the Greek Orthodox Church before his family fled the war-torn country when he was a baby.
The king has stepped back from his frontline duties following his diagnosis with the disease, which was discovered while he was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The type of cancer is not specified, but aides say it is not the prostate; the king “continues to conduct state affairs and official paperwork as usual” while undergoing a series of treatments.
He chose to share his diagnosis “in the hope that it can increase public understanding for all those around the world affected by cancer,” Buckingham Palace said.
Charles revealed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier this week that the “wonderful messages and cards” he has received since his diagnosis have “brought me to tears”.
King Charles visited the Vatopedion Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece, several times
King Charles met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace last Wednesday, with the pair seen smiling during their first face-to-face meeting since the monarch’s cancer diagnosis.
His Majesty appeared cheerfully when he arrived for the meeting with Mr Sunak bee Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, in what was their first audience of the year.
The Prime Minister told the King it was ‘very nice to see you’, to which Charles replied: ‘A bit of a hole, I’m afraid’, referring to the disruption to their weekly meetings.
Mr Sunak assured him that ‘we are all behind you, the country is behind you’, adding that it was ‘great to see you looking so good.’ In typically good humor, the king jokingly replied, “Well, it’s all done by mirrors, actually.”
Before the couple’s private conversation, the monarch also met privately with members of the Privy Council on Tuesday evening.
Charles’ deep sense of duty and strong work ethic have kept him working privately through treatment, but this was the first time the king had been depicted performing royal duties.
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.