Black and White

To the Editors of The Crimson:

"Do not wear white clothing in the black of night."

Reminded of this ancient Syrian proverb when recently given a copy of The Crimson 15 March 1983. I thought to make a belated response to the outcry of one Hieromonk Auxentios, a visitor at Harvard in the spring. Perhaps a few Crimson readers will remember the good Hieromonk's letter to the Editors, his dismay at the disrespect shown him and his abbot by certain students, presumably Harvard students, and how he indicted the entire University for intolerance and disregard for the ancient traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church. Now I am likewise a "traditionalist" Greek Orthodox monk, dressed in the manner of Hieromonk Auxentios. For over 12 years I have been visiting Harvard's sundry libraries, and therefore its campus, and never once have I encountered any of the hostilities decried by Fr. Auxentios. On the contrary, from the students, professors, and employees of the University I have, over the years, witnessed only the greatest politeness, helpfulness, friendliness, and even undue respect, although I can discover in myself no reason for this. Therefore I was both perplexed by Fr. Auxentios' purposed ill-treatment and disquieted by his corresponding ill-treatment of Harvard. Furthermore, the reasoning processes which led him to find disparagement of Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions in a personal affront appear most strange to me. I would rather offer the above cited proverb as an explanation of the affair and use this opportunity to express gratitude to the University for its unwarranted and perennial gentility. And while speaking of ancient traditions, the following apothegm of St. Macarios of Egypt (end of 4th century) is perhaps appropriate: "A bad word makes even good men bad, but it good word makes even bad men good." Fr. Mamas   Holy Transfiguration Monastery