Mount Athos
A unique place in its essence is Mount Athos. Being actually on the territory of Greece, it became a home for Orthodox monks of various nationalities. The mountain is located on a peninsula 12 km wide and 80 km long, the official name of the lands is the Autonomous Monastic State.
The History of St. Athos
The island on which the mountain is located has a mythical origin story. According to the myth, the giant Athos threw a stone at the god of the seas Poseidon, the stone did not hit the God, but landed in the Aegean Sea and became an island with the name of the giant.
There is also a legend associated with this place, a ship sailed on the sea, and the Virgin traveled on it. A storm broke out and the waves washed the ship to the island. When the Mother of God came ashore, she was amazed by the beauty of nature and asked the Lord to give her this place for a secluded life. The Apostle Jonah the Theologian describes that the following words came to her in response: "May this place be your inheritance, and your garden, and paradise, and a haven of salvation for those who wish to be saved."
Since the 7th century, monasteries have been built on the island and monastic elders from different countries have moved here. In 833, Basil the Great secured the island's status as a place of residence exclusively for monasticism. After that, there were pogroms by Catalan mercenaries and the Turkish occupation, and in December 1913, Mount Athos received the status of a monastic republic, under the auspices of 6 Orthodox states.
It is noteworthy that even during the Second World War, none of the monasteries were destroyed or deprived of their status.
Athos today
Today, as well as 1000 years ago, there are 20 monasteries on the Holy Mountain. The number of monks has decreased significantly, now there are about 1,700. Each monastery is a monument of history and culture. In addition to the monasteries on the island, hermitages and hermit cells are located around the mountain.
Visits to the peninsula on which the mountain is located are strictly controlled, tourists (not clergymen) are accepted for a limited number per day. Women are not allowed to enter at all, even criminal liability and imprisonment for up to 12 months are provided for this.
The height of Mount Athos is 2,033 meters above sea level, and night services are constantly held at the Church of the Transfiguration at the top. The flow of pilgrims is limited, but still quite dense.
Interesting fact. Despite the ban on female creatures visiting the island, relief has been made for chickens and cats. Chickens are needed to lay eggs, and cats are needed to catch rodents.
