I am the ruler of the whole world.
What would you like me to give you?
What can you give me,
the slave of my slaves?
No, Your Eminence.
Not this time.
Look at me.
I can stand.
You said you were going to pray for me.
Allah answered your prayers.
He answered your prayers.
-Thank you. -It is the least that I can do.
The situation has become critical.
Patriarch loves him.
And the people of Egypt love him, too.
We have to find a way.
Our lives are at stake.
Don't you think you are being a little dramatic?
No, we cannot take the risk of him becoming a Patriarch.
He's not fit for the position.
He would give every cent away
to native Arabs and beggars.
There would be nothing left!
Maybe he is good-hearted and all that...
but definitely crazy.
A fanatic, I would say.
I'm not even sure about his good heart.
He's a fake.
Remember he said "thank you" response at the banquet?
What "thank you" response?
This "thank you" response. "Oh, your Eminence,
we only want you to become our next Patriarch.
We only want you, Your Eminence!"
"Oh, thank you. Thank you. Thank--"
Thank God you're not an actor.
He consorts with harlots on the streets.
The Patriarch would certainly not like that.
Metropolitan Nektarios is the Patriarch's
spiritual child, his creation.
We need something more substantial
to convince the Patriarch to turn on him.
This is not going to be easy.
Things are much easier
than what you are making it out to be.
Patriarch Sophronius
was a Patriarch of Constantinople
before he became the Patriarch of Alexandria.
He was kicked out after three years
because of, uh, some kind of unrest.
He claims that, uh, he was betrayed
by one of his men closest to him.
He's scared to death of losing his seat again.
He will not take any chances when it comes to it.
Are you talking about
my son, Nektarios?
Is that who you are saying
is plotting against me?
I'm sorry, Your Holiness,
but it's him we're talking about.
I know it is hard for you to believe
that he can be a Judas, but it's true, Your Holiness.
It is not hard for me to believe that.
This flesh is filth!
Judas!
Your Holiness.
We strongly recommend
that you don't see or speak to him again.
I need to be alone.
We are trying to protect you, Your Holiness.
Get out.
All of you.
Out!
It's beautiful, isn't it?
It is.
Thanks to you.
Thanks to God, Minas.
Forgive me, Your Eminence.
But you know what I think about that.
You must have faith.
With all the injustice and poverty,
it is hard to have faith.
You're right.
It's a lot of injustice and suffering.
But that is exactly why I believe
that our life here is not all there is.
I have some faith because of you, Father.
Is it true?
They release you from your duties?
We will not allow this.
They have no right to do things without asking us.
Shame on them.
Please, let's stay calm.
I'm sure things will be resolved.
Don't worry, Your Eminence.
We have more influence with the government of Egypt
than they do.
We are financially supporting the Patriarchate.
If they don't give us a proper answer
why they removed you,
we will demand Patriarch Sophronius
to be removed, and place you in his position.
I need to speak to the Patriarch first.
He brought me to Egypt
and ordained me a Metropolitan.
I am sure he will see me.
Please, don't worry.
What's going? We'll support you.
I know His Holiness is here.
I would like to see him, please.
He's here, but he is extremely ill.
I must see him.
Can I help you, Your Eminence?
I need to speak to Patriarch Sophronius, please.
His Holiness does not wish to see you.
I don't believe that.
What is there not to believe?
You have received an official letter from him,
have you not?
The letter doesn't mention the nature of my crime.
I was sentenced without a trial,
without the chance to defend myself.
I deserve to know why.
For what reason?
For reasons known to us.
Go, go, go, go!
We want our priest!
Your Eminence.
From the Patriarch.
Thank you.
Please. Stay.
It's not a good news, is it?
No.
What do they want from you now?
They want me to leave Egypt.
This is why I doubt God.
Don't ever doubt God, Minas.
The Patriarch don't believe in him.
Please, don't say such things.
They want you to leave Egypt
because they are afraid there will be an uproar.
People will demand from the government--
They don't want anything like that to happen.
Is that clear?
But why, Your Eminence?
I'm not going to do anything to hurt my father, Sophronius.
Your father?
After what he did to you?
I can't go against him.
I need to leave.
Very soon and quietly.
No unrest, Minas.
Keep your faith, Minas.
Thank you, Your Eminence.
Your decision to leave Egypt
has left us deeply saddened
and very emotional.
We consider your removal
to be an irreparable loss.
The Church of Alexandria
is being deprived on one of the truly
distinguished Hierarchs--
We are greatly distressed over your departure
because we feel an emptiness in our hearts
and consider the deprivation of you
to be a great moral loss.
We kindly ask you not to exclude us
from your prayers, but to remember us,
your friends who love you and long to be with you.
Mrs. Filanthi?
Please. Come in.
Good morning. Mr. Laskaridis sent me. Do you need anything?
No, we don't need your services.
Lord, have mercy on the poor,
the orphans, the widows,
those in sickness and sorrow...
in prisons.
Have mercy on them that hate me
and wrong me
and let them not perish
because of me, a sinner.
Your Eminence.
The Archbishop sends his regards...
and he's very sorry that he had to
cancel your meeting.
He's just swamped
with so many unexpected occurrences.
If he doesn't want to see me,
it's all right.
Just tell me the truth.
I'd rather hear the truth.
Can I sit next to you?
It's hard to be hungry
and destitute
and there's nothing one can do.
But there is something in the midst of this hopelessness.
When the Lord becomes your only hope...
it's then that one can feel His presence.
I have been blessed lately
to participate in your suffering, my brother.
You're different than they are.
They don't seem to care about me.
They don't seem to care about me either.
But the good news is God loves us.
Don't ever forget that.
Please, take these.
I have another pair at home.
What have I done?
I must have done something.
Why didn't he want to see me?
What did they tell him?
He must be thinking that I betrayed him.
I can't bear to think that.
Please, Lord,
give me a chance to speak to him.
How are you holding up, my brother?
I do panikhídas and funerals
thanks to people like you.
But it is not enough.
I don't understand why the Synod
does not give me a diocese here in Greece.
Because they keep slandering you from Egypt.
They keep sending letters.
Most of them are anonymous.
I left. Why don't they leave me alone?
If they grant you a dioceses here in Athens,
you will become eligible to replace the Patriarch.
But I don't want to replace the Patriarch.
They don't know that.
And they certainly don't want to be exposed.
So, they will never stop prosecuting me.
I will leave and go to a monastery.
You can't do that.
You have a gift, my brother.
People listen to you.
In these difficult times,
Greece needs you.
What do you suppose I do, then?
I can't even get a position of a preacher anywhere.
There are bishops and priests like myself
that know that you are innocent,
and we will continue fighting for you in the Synod.
In the meantime,
go and see the Minister of Religion and Education.
He has the power to appoint you as a preacher.
Sorry, Your Eminence.
Just one of those days when everything goes wrong.
How may I help you?
I am Nektarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis.
I have been in Athens now for a year
without means to support myself.
I kindly ask you to appoint me as a preacher
wherever you wish.
I am willing to work for food and a place to stay.
These are my documents.
And this is a letter
of recommendation from the Holy Synod.
You're more than qualified to be a preacher,
Your Eminence.
But there is one problem.
You are not a Greek citizen.
Pardon me?
You were born in Silivri.
That is no longer Greece.
It is Turkey now.
So, now I'm not-- I'm not Greek?
What am I, then?
Could you help me and tell me what I am
if I'm not Greek?
Forgive me for coming here and wasting your time.
You seem to be the real deal.
No wonder they don't like it.
Who are "they"?
You know who they are.
Otherwise, with all your credentials,
you wouldn't be here asking me to get you
a position in the church.
There is a place that no one wants to go to.
It's from the island of Evia.
Would you be willing to get a position there?
Of course I would.
You're hired.
Thank you.
From the bottom of my heart,
I promise that you will not regret it.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ...
blessed is the person who has a clear conscience.
Pharisee!
How misled
are those who seek their happiness
outside of themselves,
far away from their own selves?
Did you come here to steal our money, too?
Shame on you!
In riches,
in pleasures, in glory.
Shame on you.
And in all vanities,
all of which...
end in bitterness.
Please.
Please help me, Lord.
What do you want me to do?
Should I leave?
I don't know what to do.
Please give me the strength
to do what is right.
What is your will?
... so that the genuineness of your faith,
more precious than gold tested by fire.
And glory and honor
and the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Without having seen him, you doubt.
Believe in him.
Your Eminence.
They are persecuting you from Athens.
God bless them.
Glory to God for your success
in the land of Egypt
and for your willingness
to support our church.
In times like these,
our church desperately needs people like you.
We know that you're supporting
the Greek Patriarchate of Alexandria
and we're grateful that you responded
to our need and came to visit us.
May God reward you greatly.
It's a true pleasure, gentlemen,
having you here.
-Who would like to start-- -Forgive me for interrupting.
Um, but before we start the conversation,
we would like to know
where holy Metropolitan Nektarios is.
Uh...
Wasn't he condemned
a-- and expelled by the Patriarch Sophronius?
Shame on everyone
who condemned him.
Including Patriarch Sophronius.
Where is he?
I don't think he's in Athens.
Where is he?
I believe that he took
the position of a preacher in Evia.
Of a preacher?
What's going on?
I'm sorry, but we were informed about him
by the representatives of your Patriarchate.
We want our Metropolitan Nektarios
to come back to us as our next Patriarch.
Before we proceed with any business, we would like you
to make clear to everyone
that Metropolitan Nektarios is holy and just,
and that he was slandered.
We will do that.
Let's send an urgent cable
to the dioceses in Evia.
Mm-hmm.
Now.
Elder Daniel,
why are you walking ahead of the holy Bishop
Nektarios,
he who is already included
in our church's holy hierarchs?
Keep your mind in hell and despair not.
No monastery for you.
Not yet.
We achieved this
despite the obstacles from Alexandria.
They still cannot forget about me.
Ah, forget about them.
You're the best possible person
to guide our young men into priesthood.
Dear Father Sophronius,
I have officially become appointed director
of the prestigious
Ecclesiastical Rizarios School.
Deep in my heart, I believe that this news
will make you glad,
as you always believed in me.
Since I didn't get a chance to see you,
please permit me to ask in writing
for your forgiveness,
for whatever offense I might have done.
I ask you to find it in your heart
to forgive me, whatever it may be.
I pray that you are well
and that God grants you many years.
And I hope to see you again.
Permit me to ask, gentlemen,
where are the students performing
the church services?
In the church not far from here.
Unfortunately, one cannot perform services here
due to the condition of the chapel.
Something needs to be done about this.
Obviously, Your Eminence,
but the funds are simply not available.
We will have to find a way.
This is an ecclesiastical school.
Permit me to correct you, Your Eminence.
This is not only an ecclesiastical school.
It is a regular high school as well.
And our primary focus is to provide
our students with an excellent education.
I understand.
But if we attend to the chapel
and make this place look more appealing,
we will attract more students
who will be able to get an excellent education.
Of course, I just can't see
how we can achieve something like that.
Like I said,
the funds are extremely limited.
As a new director,
I will do my best to help with that.
I'm happy to use my salary
and some of my skills,
and I'm sure that God will provide for the rest.
I speak from personal experience
when I say that God will provide.
Well,
that sounds... fantastic.
Please excuse me, Your Eminence.
Let me show you to your office.
This is Kostas.
He will be assisting you with anything you might need.
Nice to meet you, Kostas.
My pleasure, Your Eminence.
Let-- let me take your things to your room.
Thank you.
Please, make yourself comfortable.
We will be seeing you shortly.
Thank you very much.
How long have you been here, Kostas?
I graduated last year.
Are you thinking of becoming a priest?
Probably not.
Uh...
So, uh, I will let you settle in now,
Your Eminence.
Uh, whenever you need me, I'm here.
Thank you.
He sure looks different than our last principal.
Remember he used to make us pull weeds as a punishment?
I guess we won't have to do that anymore.
We might even get lucky
and have some fun once in a while.
Right?
I am here to become a priest.
Oh, I forgot.
From the jungle that you come from,
fun is forbidden.
What did you say?
-What did you say? -Forget it. Doesn't matter.
Your Eminence.
This is for you, Your Eminence.
Many letters from Egypt.
You ask me to keep an eye on.
I understand why the people of Egypt love you.
We had you here for a short time
and you've performed miracles.
I-- I read some of your writings.
Yes, a-- and-- I-- I am very moved.
Which ones did you like?
Um...
I-- I like--
I like...
everything that I have read.
I think your writings will help people.
I am glad to hear that.
I would like to have it printed and circulated.
Oh, please, let me assist you with that.
I-- I know a very good printer, um,
and I-- I could also submit your writings
to religious journals.
They need, uh, materials like this.
I would appreciate that very much.
What happened here?
-He insulted me-- -No, he insulted me.
He called me a Turk.
- Did you say that? - No.
Yes, you did. You call us names all the time.
-You stole the book. -What book?
The one that is in your bag.
He gave me that book and asked me to read it.
- I haven't stolen anything. - You liar.
I think I have heard enough.
I have no other choice...
but to punish myself.
Yourself, Your Eminence?
Yes, myself.
I will punish myself with a hunger strike.
Please.
I would like you to instruct the cook
not to send me food for three days.
Are we clear?
Yes, Your Eminence.
Go.
And please, make amends with one another.
Otherwise, I will continue my punishment
for a longer time.
Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
I heard you were looking for me.
Why are the students being punished without my knowledge?
Because we feel that you don't exercise enough authority.
I do implement punishments
when I feel it is necessary.
A healthy balance between kindness and authority is best.
Punishing yourself
instead of the students when they misbehave
is out of balance, in my opinion.
It looks like your primary focus
is to direct our students into priesthood.
Not everyone is destined to become a priest.
We just came out of the dark ages,
400 years of Ottoman oppression and slavery.
Education is vital for our development,
for the development of both clergy and laypeople.
-I hope you understand that. -Of course.
You are cultivating asceticism in our students,
and we all know that asceticism
is a thing of the past.
It's dark age material.
I believe that you have a distorted view
of what asceticism is, Mr. President--
No, I have a perfect view of what asceticism is.
It is a radical approach to religion.
It's long and long beards
and painting this holy image,
outwardly, of course.
A true ascetic does not worry about
the outwardly appearance at all.
His main focus is to correct himself inwardly
so he can get closer to God.
He's, in effect, a true Christian.
Are you a true Christian?
I try to be.
Your appointment at this school
has not been filed with proper papers
and the talk at the ministry
says that you were expelled
from Egypt for moral reasons.
I was slandered.
Of course you were.
Did you request background check on me?
No, Your Eminence.
We only asked for information in an official capacity.
So, the Patriarchal trust is bluntly informed
the civil representative of the Greek government
that I was removed from my position
because I was,
"rebellious, unethical and immoral"?
Mr. Riparis finishes the letter clearly stating
that he believes you're a perfect cleric
who was unjustly slandered.
But slander keeps following me, doesn't it?
Where are my accusers?
Where are the witnesses?
Where is the evidence of my crime?
On what grounds?
After four years
of my unjust departure from Egypt,
was this official accusation of me made,
an accusation that condemns me to immoral death.
What great wrong did I do against you,
Your Holiness?
Why is there such a great wrath
and pursuit against me,
seeking my total destruction?
The purpose of my outdated protest
is to bring you to the knowledge of Your Holiness
that your every rough against me is unjust.
May God be my witness and judge.
Vassili, leave the garden for me.
You mop the whole school already,
you need to rest.
I love this garden, Your Eminence.
It makes this place look so beautiful.
If you continue doing my gardening,
I might have to take up some of your cleaning.
Oh, no, don't even joke about that, Your Eminence.
It is beneath you to clean toilets.
Honest and hard work is not beneath anyone.
Let's go and have some coffee.
You want to have coffee with me?
Yes, Vassili. I want to have coffee with you.
Leave that here. Come on, let's go.
I had to call this meeting, gentlemen,
as a medical emergency concerning
our student, Nicholas.
He has had fever for over two weeks.
His condition looks critical.
And even after doctors' treatments,
it is not getting any better.
Nor do the doctors have any idea
what is wrong with him.
His illness
seems to be of a mental nature.
Therefore, I suggest
we transfer him to the sanatorium.
We need to inform his guardian right away.
We cannot do such a thing.
He needs to go to the hospital
to be properly treated and diagnosed,
which is right across the street.
Not some sanatorium far away from here.
After all, he does have a fever.
He is here on a minimum tuition.
I doubt he can afford additional treatment
of any kind.
We should pay for it.
It's the least that we can do
for the child who has been studying here so diligently.
We can't bear such an expense, Your Eminence.
He's here on a partial scholarship.
I think we already did more than doing the least.
We should inform his guardian immediately of our decision.
I will pay for it myself.
We ran all possible tests.
We don't know what's going on.
His health is falling apart.
I'm sorry to say this,
but we're expecting the worst by tomorrow.
What is going on, my son?
You are holding something heavy inside of you.
Whatever it is, know that God loves you
and wants you to do great things.
God has forgotten about me.
Why do you say that?
I studied hard...
so that I could come here
and--
and help my father and my sisters.
But it was all for nothing.
My father has--
has killed himself.
And my step-mother sent my sisters into servitude.
So, you see,
God wants me to die.
Let's see about that.
Here, Kostas, inform our students
that we are going to do an all-night prayer
for the healing of Nicholas.
Father! Father! Nicholas woke up!
He asked for food.
God heard your prayers, Your Eminence.
God heard our prayers.
Look how beautiful they are.
"Justice and truth compel us to not only endorse
the Metropolitan of Pentapolis,
but to affirm that his candidacy
is among the strongest
because he's one of the most distinguished,
well-educated and irreproachable bishops
that the Eastern Orthodox Church has to offer."
-Kostas, I read it. -I know you did.
I just need to point out
what the most respected religious journalists
think about you.
"His character is such that if someone
other than himself is chosen
for the Patriarchal throne,
he would be most pleased."
I'd like to remain most pleased.
Father, do not say such things.
They wilt you.
I hope, uh, you are not avoiding
your heavenly call to duty.
I am not avoiding anything
and especially not the heavenly things.
I just prefer the simple people.
It seems that your time has come.
Don't forget the ones
who did not side with the slanderers.
We are praying you're elected.
Justice will prevail this time.
Your silence used to cut like a knife.
One word from you would have soothed my pain.
Even a lie or a courtesy.
But nothing?
Like I meant nothing to you at all.
Did you really believe that I was a fraud?
That I wanted your seat?
Or has the fear of losing your position
blinded you to such an extent?
You used to call me your son, remember?
I loved you like my father.
But some other things were more important to you
than your son.
My beloved father, Sophronius,
justice will prevail today.
I will not be elected a Patriarch.
Thank you.
Father.
How can you be happy?
You--
You should have been the Patriarch and you know it.
Everyone knows that.
Let God's will be done, Kostas.
You are meant to do great things.
You don't have to be Patriarch
to do great things.
Your Eminence! I need to talk to you.
Your articles and your books
are so full of wisdom and truth.
And what's more important,
people listen to what you have to say.
You know,
we have a serious problem with heretics in our city.
Would you be able to write something
to encourage people to stay with the Orthodox tradition?
It would be my pleasure, Your Eminence.
I need your help with this.
Please,
can you make an effort to clear your status?
Pardon me?
You need to clear your status with Egypt.
They need to give you a dioceses.
I have done everything that I could
to resolve my situation in Egypt.
Perhaps you could help me.
First, you need to resolve the matter
with the Patriarchy of Egypt.
You are considered a traveling Hierarch
because of your status,
meaning not a Greek citizen.
I am still not considered Greek.
You're a holy man, Your Grace.
Forgive me for bothering you.
You are not bothering me.
It is so good to be here.
There is so much light in your presence.
I mean, not like anyone else would see it,
Your Eminence.
I lost my eyesight due to illness
when I was very little.
My parents had to make a choice
to let me get a certain vaccine
and become blind, or to let me die.
Thank God they chose to let me live.
Life is so beautiful,
Your Eminence,
I have been so fortunate.
And also to meet you and get your blessing.
What is your name?
Xenia.
Xenia, thank you very much for your kind words.
Thank you, Your Eminence.
Forgive me if I am being bold, but...
is there any way I can speak to you again?
A few of my friends and I
would like to become nuns.
Could you help guide us?
It would be my pleasure to help you.
Please,come and see me at my office.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
So, please, tell me.
When did this idea about becoming nuns come about?
We have talked about it for a long time
and we have all decided
that we really want to do that.
Your desire is indeed beautiful...
but are you aware...
that by becoming a nun,
you're accepting poverty and a very difficult life?
We are aware of it.
Our life has not been easy.
We all grew up as orphans in extreme poverty.
Hardships don't scare us
as long as we can stay together.
Only a few are chosen to take this path.
You must be truly ready and willing
to go through it until the end.
We are, Your Eminence.
Is there a place where you would like to go?
Have you visited any monasteries?
We visited quite a few,
but it's hard to find a place that will take all of us.
And we want to remain together.
So, the best option
would be to find a place
where we can establish the convent.
Thank you, Your Eminence.
We will start searching immediately.
Whose land is this?
It was , Reverend.
I have a few girls
who are my spiritual daughters
who wish to become nuns.
They found an old monastery that is in ruins in Aegina.
Since Aegina is under your jurisdiction,
I would like to get your blessing for them
to establish the monastery there.
That is wonderful. You have all of my blessings!
Thank you, Your Eminence.
Thank God for that.
We need to reawaken monasticism.
We need young nuns.
Most of the monasteries are practically graveyards.
As a matter of fact, I even have
a few young nuns from Sparta
that would like to join the convent.
If you go ahead and do that,
I promise that the monastery
will get recognized by the Holy See.
Thank you, Your Eminence.
You know, I really need your help with things.
Any news from Egypt?
I reached out twice to His Holiness,
Patriarch Photios of Alexandria.
I know for a fact that he received my letters
but as usual, there was no response.
Also, I reached out to his grace,
the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople,
Joachim III.
That is fantastic. He can definitely help.
Honestly, I don't see why the Synod
here in Athens cannot appoint a dioceses
to traveling Hierarchs who taught
their future priests so many years.
As I said to you previously, it is complicated.
We have sugar, cumin and bread.
Silk as well, and manuscripts, of course.
Excellent.
We should send money to.
She will make sure it gets to them.
Is that all right, Kostas?
Father, I'm happy to do whatever you want me to do.
I just don't see how it's possible
to rebuild the monastery on your salary
and a few donations.
With God, everything is possible.
I got more mulberry and fruit trees.
They will have them planted all over Aegina.
How many trees have we shipped so far?
6,000 or 7,000, I believe.
7,000?
Don't worry, Kostas,
they gave them to me for almost nothing.
I would love to send a few copies of my new book.
Have we been able to print any?
Unfortunately, we have not.
We owe money to the printer, again.
It's all right.
It will just have to wait until I get paid.
Of course.
Why are the toilets so filthy?
Our janitor is in the hospital.
And why haven't we found a new janitor?
How hard can that be?
I found a replacement already.
Oh, you did?
Do you mind telling me who it is?
Someone that I trust.
Who are those women who have permit passes...
and why do they come here?
They are my spiritual children.
Your spiritual children?
They want to become nuns, and they seek my advice.
So, it is not enough that you are trying to persuade
everyone in here to become a priest.
Now you're grooming nuns from here, too?
I want them to return their passes
and refrain from coming here!
I'm sorry, Your Eminence. I didn't mean to do this.
No, I am sorry.
I made you angry.
Your Eminence?
Vassili?
Don't worry. I will not take your job.
You saved me and my family, Your Eminence.
Please.
Please... let's keep this between us.
Go rest...
and I will be waiting for you.
Thank you.
I want to tell you something.
I have been tired lately.
I have less and less strength
to do things that I want to do.
You know that I wish to retire to the monastery.
I feel that it is my duty...
to go to Aegina and take full responsibility
for the monastery and the nuns.
I cannot believe what I'm hearing, Father.
You're a respected hierarchical writer.
You cannot leave it all...
and go to some deserted island.
My inner voice, my heart...
has informed me that I have to go to Aegina.
If they invite you back to Egypt?
Please, stop thinking about that.
I will never stop thinking about that, Father.
You deserve to become a Patriarch.
There lies a danger
in what you desire for me to become, Kostas.
When you become a Patriarch...
you become a man of power.
The position of power is like a cancer;
it eats at you slowly, and you don't even know it.
Before you realize,
you can turn into something that you once despised.
Many great men have fallen
because of the power they were given.
I would rather not fall into that trap.
I beg you, please don't go.
I made up my mind.
You're going... to leave me all alone.
You are not alone, Kostas.
You're...
more of a father to me...
than my real father ever was.
Please, I'm not leaving you.
Good things will happen to you.
Come on, have faith.
May I come in, Your Eminence?
Of course.
I've come to say goodbye and, uh...
to say...
believe it or not... thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President.
You really mean that, don't you?
Of course I do.
I'm starting to think that you're not human.
I can assure you that I am human, Mr. President.
No, no, I can assure you that I'm human.
I'm the one who dislikes you.
Maybe I-- I envy you in a strange way.
Although I dislike your-- Your ways, your...
asceticism and everything that comes with it--
Quite frankly, I can't stand it.
But I see that you have found peace in it.
So, I must say that is good.
Do you have peace, Mr. President?
No.
No, I do not.
But I don't care about that.
I only care about knowing the truth.
Without having peace in your heart...
you will never be able to know the truth.
So, I need your God to find peace?
He's the one not letting me have peace.
He's the one who's been tormenting me all my life.
I wish I would have faith.
And believe.
But I can't deny reason.
You stand for something, Mr. President.
You are a good man.
I'm sure you will find the way.
-How much do I owe you? -Nothing.
Just give keep blessing our nets, father.
Again?
You left class early,.
They were not teaching us today, and...
I already know how to read and write.
You can always get better at it or learn something new.
I'll read here, next to you.
John the Foreigner
Do you know what foreigner stands for?
That's his last name.
That is not it, my dear.
Do you know why we also call him
John the Baptist?
That's his middle name.
You see, you still have a lot to learn.
I'm sorry. It's almost time for vespers.
I need to go and get ready.
So, how is life in the city?
Busy.
I got many new accounts, uh, for your articles in books.
No more owing money to anyone.
My new job is great, and now that I have
a room here to stay, I-- I can't...
really complain about anything.
You see? Things always work out.
Yes, you're right, Your Eminence.
It is time for the Synod...
to officially accept the monastery.
I wrote to Metropolitan Theoklitos.
I didn't get a response.
Perhaps you can visit him on my behalf.
Father, um, there has been rumor
that Metropolitan Theoklitos is planning to shut down
-your monastery. -That cannot be.
He is the one who gave me his blessing to establish it.
I know.
You shouldn't believe these rumors, Kostas.
You know better than that.
I am afraid that this is not just a rumor.
It looks like he was unhappy
that you left Athens and came here.
He wanted you there to help him.
And you know that you could still become the Patriarch.
They never gave me a diocese
and you believe that they will elect me a Patriarch?
The people of Egypt
want you to become their Patriarch.
You must realize by now...
that it doesn't matter what the people want.
My soul is deeply sorry
by having been informed by Your Eminence
that without my knowledge and will,
a community of women has been created in Aegina.
Why, without the knowledge
and consent of myself, the canonical Hierarch,
did you create the monastery? And for what purpose?
So, now you know nothing about this, my brother?
Absolutely nothing?
Has the decision from the Metropolitan arrived?
Yes, it has.
Is he seeking to absolve the monastery?
No.
He wants a written account and a detailed report.
I will prepare mine but I need your help...
to prepare the report that will name each sister...
the details of their enlistment
and their financial contributions.
There is nothing else that we can do.
Your Eminence.
You suffer so much.
And all your suffering is because of us.
I think you should leave.
You have done enough.
We will find the way.
I would never betray you.
You wouldn't be betraying us if you left.
Yes, I would.
And that would cause a pain so devastating...
that it can break your soul.
Believe me. I know that pain.
The property is private.
If the monastery is not acknowledged by the Synod,
the state will not accept it either.
All the donations, and I see there are many,
will not be considered part of the monastery.
Neither will the private property
that some of the nuns donated themselves.
If you make it a church property
that belongs to the Synod,
they will most likely go with it.
It does, however, put the nuns
at the mercy of the Synod.
No.
It needs to remain independent,
privately owned by the nuns.
Then the Synod will have to acknowledge it that way.
Are you telling me that we are completely
at the mercy of the Synod?
There is another way, Your Eminence.
I just don't know
if you will want to take that route.
-What it is? -If the Synod
doesn't acknowledge the monastery,
you can make this place into a non-profit entity...
in which case the state will approve it.
And it will operate as an independent convent,
just like those in the West.
We shall do that if we must.
Don't you see that...
all these obstacles are signs
that you should leave this place...
Go do something more suitable for yourself?
To what more suitable thing do you refer?
Some high position in the church?
I don't understand you, father.
When they exiled you from Egypt,
when they persecuted you,
when everyone wanted you to defend yourself,
you remained silent and turned the other cheek.
But now, when the monastery
and those women are being persecuted,
you are not only willing to speak up and fight,
you are even willing to go against the Synod?
My dear, Kostas, when you're persecuted...
the right thing to do is to turn another cheek.
But when your children are persecuted
because someone is trying to hurt you,
the right thing to do
is to fight to protect your children.
I'm sorry, father.
I just can't accept and never accept that you,
the greatest Hierarch of our church...
is at the moment stuck here... in these hills...
withering away.
My body may be withering away...
but my soul is not.
I wish she would just leave me alone and disappear.
I understand. Don't worry.
You need to pray for your mother.
So, my dear, have you come to your senses?
Mother, I am perfectly happy here.
You are not happy.
Everyone knows that only broken people
end up in monasteries
and they end up dying in misery.
I feel quite the opposite.
You should go back to your husband, Maria.
I don't have a husband.
You forced me to marry that man.
I am not going back to him.
Do you think I like being
with your whoremonger father?
I took care of you even while he left us with nothing.
Do you think it was easy?
What do you want me to do, prostitute myself?
I don't want to talk about this anymore.
What have they done to you!
-What have they done to you? -My dear woman.
May I help you?
I want my daughter back.
Tell her to come home with her mother.
Maria...
do you wish to go home with your mother?
No, Your Eminence, I do not.
I want to stay here. Please.
As you can hear, she wishes to stay.
You tell her that she needs to come home with her mother.
I cannot.
And I will not do that.
I will make you pay for this, you whoremonger.
The whole island knows about you,
you fallen bishop!
You were defrocked and thrown out.
And you think that you can come here
and pretend to be holy?
Well, you have angered the wrong woman!
I will see you in hell!
Dear sir, I need to talk to you urgently.
I'm sorry, dear lady, but you need
to make an appointment, first.
Metropolitan Meletius told me to come here.
His grace, Meletius sent you?
They took my child.
They took her away from me and destroyed her.
Who has taken her?
That fallen bishop in Aegina, Nektarios.
He manipulated her and seduced her.
I tried to take her back home
but he won't let me see her.
I think he has gotten her pregnant like the others.
I don't know what to do.
He has turned her against me,
and he took her away.
Come with me.
I promise I will take care of this personally.
You have brought shame to the title of bishop.
You should read these accusations.
It is a disgrace!
What are you doing with these women?
What is wrong with you?
I had to come here with an examiner.
You have created a scandal...
for the church.
Please, forgive me.
It seems like you're innocent-- for now.
I will be sending you instructions
on precisely what I want you to do.
And I'll be checking on you...
on a regular basis.
And please, try to dress more appropriately.
You look more like a beggar than a bishop.
I have been praying.
Praying about what?
Can you please tell me
what were you praying about?
I was praying to God
to punish that awful man who came here.
You should never pray to God
to punish anyone, my dear.
But why? He was awful to you.
God wants us
to forgive people that treat us badly.
We have to pray even for our enemies.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand.
You don't have to understand everything.
But trust me on this. Hmm?
Are you the famous bishop, Nektarios?
I am the bishop, Nektarios.
How may I help you?
Don't act holy with me, you fraud.
You may fool your metropolitan but you cannot fool me.
I know what you have been doing here
with you so-called nuns.
How many stillborn children have you buried
on these grounds, you murderer?
Why don't you answer, you hypocrite!
Stop this. He's sick.
Ah!
You are all insane, to defend this devil!
Why are you doing this?
Get off this bed. Now!
She can't move.
Leave her alone, there's nothing here.
Move her!
Father. Why don't you say something?
You're not going to escape justice.
You're going to jail!
I'll send a doctor...
to give a medical examinations of all the nuns.
Starting with Maria!
She's a virgin.
Hey!
Hey, old man!
Those stories about you!
Are they true?
Come on... come on!
They must be true.
You can tell me.
You can confess to me.
I understand, no one can be normal
in this miserable world.
You have to become crazy...
in order to survive.
I know...
I am a thief on the cross.
I know how bad we all are.
I need to sit down.
You have been in pain for some time now, father.
Maybe we should call the doctor.
Please.
Please bring me a glass of lemonade.
Why did they build this window here?
It's for the food.
It's easier that way.
Easier for whom?
It wouldn't be better for them to come in and help you?
Don't worry, Kostas.
Father here...
has been taking care of me quite well.
I must confess something to you, father.
If it had been done to me... what has been done to you,
I would not go to church anymore.
I am amazed at your faith.
Well, to me...
if my faith...
depends on man....
The doctor is here.
You need to have prostate surgery right away.
I can arrange for the hospital to take you immediately.
We shall see.
Are you sure you want to do this, father?
We're preparing to take you to the hospital.
You need to preserve your energy.
I want-- I want to speak to my mother.
Please, Mother.
Please, help me, Mother.
I cannot bear...
this much pain.
Please.
Please, Mother.
Soon...
I will not longer...
be able to help my children.
Please.
Please Mother...
please protect them.
Please Mother.
Ask...
Mother, ask your holy son...
to guard them from danger, please.
Please.
Please protect...
all people of this island.
Please, Mother.
Please.
Are you all right, father?
Who is that?
He's a poor family man.
Fell from a cliff and became paralyzed the waist down.
Do you think
he will be able to survive the operation?
You must be a man of God to have...
so many nuns caring for you.
Only God knows.
I don't understand.
I don't understand why God...
just didn't let me die when I fell off that cliff.
I don't under--
I don't understand why.
He has...
He has a purpose for you.
My brother.
A purpose?
What purpose?
I can't do anything.
I can't move my body, I...
All I can do is lay here like a--
like a piece of meat.
I can't take care of my family.
I can't feed my children.
I can't do anything.
I don't know why I'm here.
Every one of us...
should ask that question.
You are.
You are just forced to do it.
Oh, holy man of God.
Will you please--
will you please pray for me?
Maybe.
Maybe God...
has a surprise for you.
Are you speaking to me, my Lord?