King Charles has contacted a Greek Orthodox monk for spiritual help, following his cancer diagnosis.
Archimandrite Ephraim is known for his spiritual advice and is a close confidante of the British monarch.
The two men became friends in the 1990s when the King visited Elder Ephraim’s Vatopedi monastery in Greece.
Elder Ephraim, 67, said he and the King enjoy a “very good rapport”.
King Charles and Archimandrite Ephraim have been friends since the 1990s
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He continued telling a Greek newspaper and television station: “Yes, he has been in contact since the diagnosis and I believe he’ll overcome it - Charles has a spiritual sophistication, a spiritual life.”
King Charles, 75, has visited the 10th-century Vatopedi monastery eight times.
The King has long maintained a deep fascination with all religious faiths, including Islam and Buddhism.
His father, Prince Philip, was baptised in the Greek Orthodox Church, although later converted to Anglicanism before marrying Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles is a big fan of the Greek Orthodox Church
PA
The King’s interest in the Orthodox Church has led to him defending persecuted Christians in the Middle East.
His Gloucestershire home, Highgrove House, features many prized Byzantine icons, owing to his love for the Greek Orthodox Church.
At the King's Coronation, a Greek choir performed Psalm 71 in Greek in honour of his late father's heritage.
He was also anointed with chrism oil from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, where Charles’s grandmother Princess Alice of Battenberg is buried.
Prince Philip was originally from Greece
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King Constantine and King Charles together in 2002
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The King will miss a thanksgiving service for King Constantine of Greece on Tuesday as he continues his cancer treatment.
Instead, Queen Camilla will lead members of the Royal Family as they gather in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle for the service.
Constantine II was a first cousin once removed of Prince Philip, who died at the age of 82 last year.
He was close with the British Royal Family, and was even made the godfather of Prince William.
