Mount Athos
A unique place of nature — Mount Athos. Being actually on the territory of Greece, it became home to Orthodox monks of various nationalities. The mountain is located on the peninsula 12 km wide and 80 in length, the official name of the lands is the Autonomous Monastic State.
History of St. Afon
The island on which the mountain is located has a mythical history of origin. The giant Athos smoothed out the myth, threw a stone at the god of the seas of Poseidon, did not hit God, but landed in the Aegean Sea and became an island with the name of a giant.
There is still a legend associated with this place, a ship sailed by sea, the Virgin traveled on it. A storm began and the ship nailed to the island in waves. When Our Lady went ashore, she was amazed at the beauty of nature and asked the Lord to give her this place for a secluded life. The apostle Jonah theologian describes that in response such words came to her: "Let this place be your destiny and your garden and paradise and harbor of salvation for those who want to be saved".
Since the 7th century, monasteries have been erected on the island and monastic elders from different countries are moving here. In 833, Vasily the Macedonian secured the island status of a place of residence exclusively for monasticism. After that, there were pogroms from the Catalan mercenaries and Turkish occupation, and in December 1913, Athon received the status of a monastic republic, under the auspices of 6 Orthodox states.
It is noteworthy that even during the Second World War, not one of the monasteries was destroyed and was not deprived of its status.
Athon today
Today, like 1000 years ago, 20 monasteries are located on the Holy Mountain. The number of monks has decreased significantly, now there are about 1700 of them. Each monastery — a monument of history and culture. In addition to the monasteries on the island around the mountain are the skits and cells of hermits.
A visit to the peninsula on which the mountain is located is quite strictly controlled, tourists ( non-clerics ) receive a limited number per day. Women are not allowed to pass at all, for this even criminal liability and imprisonment for up to 12 months are provided.
The height of Mount Athos is 2033 meters above sea level, while night services are constantly held on top in the Church of Transfiguration. Although the flow of pilgrims is limited, but still quite dense.
Interesting fact. Despite the ban on visiting the island to female creatures, relief was made for chickens and cats. Chickens are needed to lay eggs, and cats for fishing rodents.
