All language subtitles for Maengod (2022)

Ondertitels door Mister Bee
Bart Besems

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.

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.

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.

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?

Ondertitels door Mister Bee
Bart Besems