Mount Athos
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Mount Athos (Άγιο Όρος Ayio Oros, classically Ἅγιον Ὄρος Agion Oros) is a mountain and a peninsula in Macedonia, northern Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site [1].
[edit] Understand
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this peninsula of 390 km² houses some 1,400 monks in 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries. An autonomous state under Greek sovereignty, entry into the area is strictly controlled and only male monks are allowed to live there.
The Agion Oros (Holy Mountain) is a self-governed part of the Greek state, politically subject to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as regards its religious aspect. The mountain is dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, and by an emperial document (typicon) the "avaton" was established and no female may set foot on the peninsula. Most of its inhabitants are orthodox monks living in monasteries, sketae (cloisters), cells and hermitages, and those who are not members of the clergy, such as employees, workers, but also the numerous visitors to the Agion Oros, who come for the purposes of meditation, prayer and study.
Of the 20 monasteries, one is Russian, one is Bulgarian, one is Serbian and the rest are Greek. There is also a Romanian sketae. The foreign monasteries are supported by their respective countries.
These monasteries posses Holy Relics, icons, frescoes and mosaics of great value. Liturgical vestments, historical text, rare documents and manuscripts - all historical heirlooms - are kept in their libraries. Many of course have been lost and others were stolen during various raids.
The first to settle here were icon-worshippers members of the clergy fleeing from the persecution of the iconoclasts. They came and lived as anchorites, unknown, and literally alone inside the caves. Later, monasteries were built and then, they were organised in a monastic state. The Agion Oros became a refuge for those seeking to save their soul through fasting and praying. Even, Byzantine emperors came and lived as monks here.
The right of autonomy of the Agion Orhos was granted gradually, initially by the Byzantine emperors Nikiforos Fokas and Ioannis Tsimiskis and persisted throughout the Turkish Occupation up to this day.
During the years of enslavement it was a centre of the National Movement, and many who were wanted by the Turks took refuge there.
The common visitor can stay for free at each monastery for two days. Those who want to carry out studies, can stay for as long as they want.
An entire civilisation, different from modern civilisation, is preserved not only in the libraries, but throughout this special state and is people, in peace and quiet.
[edit] Get in
A fair bit of advance preparation and battling with bureaucracy is necessary to visit Mount Athos.
- A permit (diamonitirion) is required for both individuals and groups. This is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Churches (at No 2, Zalokosta Street, in Athens, tel: 3626.894) or by the Ministry of Northern Greece, Directorate of Civil Affairs at Diikitiriou Square in Thessaloniki, tel. 031/270.092.
- Women are not admitted into the territory.
- Overnight stay is forbidden to under 18s.
Diamonitiria (permits to stay as a pilgrim) are issued by the offices of Mount Athos, at Ouranoupolis (on the right side of the port). In order to get their diamonitirion visitors must show their identity cards and pay the sum of €18 (Orthodox visitors) or €35 (non-Orthodox). Foreign visitors also need:Passport.
First contact the Pilgrims' Bureau (address below). They will need plenty of notice of your proposed visit - up to six months if you plan to visit during the summer months of June, July, August when the monasteries are full to over-flowing with Greek and orthodox pilgrims.
Contact:
The Holy Executive of the Holy Mount Athos Pilgrims' Bureau 109 EGNATIA STR. 546 22, Thessaloniki, Greece Tel. +30 2310 252578, Fax +30 2310 222424
Once you have gained permission from The Pilgrims' Bureau you must contact each monastery where you plan to stay. Without their consent you will be turned away. A good site for further details of monasteries and how to contact each one by phone or fax is at abacus.bates.edu/~rallison/friends/friendsguide.html
[edit] Get around
It is possible to walk from monastery to monastery. The longest walk is from Agia Anna to The Great Lavra (six to seven hours). Many of the original footpaths are still clear but from time to time it will be necessary to walk on the roads.
Buses take pilgrims from the port of Daphne to Karyes. Smaller people carriers and taxis ferry pilgrims from monastery to monastery.
[edit][add listing] See
Mount Athos has twenty monasteries:
- Great Lavra (Μεγίστη Λαύρα Megísti Lávra)
- Vatopédi (Βατοπέδι)
- Iviron (Ιβήρων)
- Chilandariou (Χιλανδαρίου, or Хиландар Hilandar in Serbian)
- Dionysiou (Διονυσίου)
- Koutloumousiou (Κουτλουμούσι)
- Pantokratoros (Παντοκράτορος)
- Xiropotamou (Ξηροποτάμου)
- Zograf (Ζωγράφου, Зограф Zograf in Bulgarian)
- Dochiariou (Δοχειάρι)
- Karakalou (Καρακάλλου)
- Filotheou (Φιλοθέου)
- Simonos Petra (Σίμωνος Πέτρα or Σιμωνόπετρα)
- Agiou Pavlou (Αγίου Παύλου)
- Stavronikita (Σταυρονικήτα)
- Zenofondts (Ξενοφώντος)
- Osiou Grigoriou (Οσίου Γρηγορίου)
- Esphigmenou (Εσφιγμένου)
- Agiou Panteleimonos (Αγίου Παντελεήμονος, or Ρωσικό Rossikon)
- Konstamonitou (Κωνσταμονίτου)
[edit][add listing] Do
[edit][add listing] Eat
You will eat evening meals with the monks. The food is often extremely basic and usually vegetarian. Occasionally wine may be served.
It is a good idea to take additional supplies with you, to supplement the meagre diet. Energy bars, fruit, treats are good to take.
Some of the larger monasteries sell wine. Beer, wine, spirits etc. can be purchased in Karyes or Dahpne.
NO MEAT is allow on Mount Athos as the monks don't eat meat. As a visitor, you will be expected to respect this and not bring any meat products to the peninsula.
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit] Stay safe
[edit] Get out
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