Holy Mount Athos (WPFDC / flickr.com) Peak of Mount Athos (Horia Varlan / flickr.com) WPFDC / flickr.com michael clarke stuff / flickr.com View of Mount Athos (Dave Proffer / flickr.com) michael clarke stuff / flickr .com WPFDC / flickr.com Monasteries of Athos (WPFDC / flickr.com) WPFDC / flickr.com michael clarke stuff / flickr.com michael clarke stuff / flickr.com michael clarke stuff / flickr.com View of the peninsula from the top of Mount Athos (Dbachmann / wikimedia.org) Iviron Monastery, Athos (Leon Hart / flickr.com) Gabriel / flickr.com WPFDC / flickr.com WPFDC / flickr.com WPFDC / flickr.com WPFDC / flickr.com Landscape of Athos (WPFDC / flickr .com) WPFDC / flickr.com Mount Athos (Schtewe / flickr.com) Bell on the background of Athos (WPFDC / flickr.com) WPFDC / flickr.com WPFDC / flickr.com WPFDC / flickr.com WPFDC / flickr.com Model of the mountain Athos (WPFDC / flickr.com) Map of the monasteries of Athos (Donor / wikimedia.org) Mount Athos on the map (commons.wikimedia.org)
Greece is replete with interesting places: Athens, Rhodes and Olympia. But for Orthodox believers and pilgrims who may not be interested in the pagan temples of the ancient gods, there is one very significant place in Greece - Mount Athos.
Athos is a holy mountain located in Greece, its height is 2033 meters. She is famous all over the world. Mount Athos (Agion Oros) is translated as “Sacred Mountain”. Although its oldest names are Akti (Cliff) and Athos after the name of the giant from Greek myths.
Mount Athos on a map of Europe or the world is located on a peninsula that washes the Aegean Sea. This sea, in turn, connects in the south with the Mediterranean. This peninsula is called Chalkidiki and is the northeastern part of the huge Balkan Peninsula, where Athens and other Greek cities are located.
Mount Athos on the map (commons.wikimedia.org)
Chalkidiki has a very interesting shape: it looks like a hand with three fingers or the trident of Poseidon, the god of the seas. At the edge of the easternmost and outermost “finger” (Athos), about 60 kilometers long, is this famous holy mountain.
The bay separating the peninsulas of Sithonia and Athos is called the Gulf of the Holy Mountain or Singitikos. This entire territory belongs to Greece. In the northern part of this finger there is an isthmus named after the Persian king Xerxes. And just to the south is the interesting city of Ouranoupolis, which is a resort like Athens and many other cities in Greece.
It has a beautiful translation of its name from Greek - Heavenly City. From here, from the pier, pilgrims who come from Athens and other cities can get to the sacred Mount Athos and here they are given a deamonitirion. That is, permission to go to the mountain.
Now there are 20 monasteries on Mount Athos, a peninsula in Greece. Without exception, all monasteries of Athos are for general residence. One and a half thousand monks live on the mountain, and the saints of Athos lived here. All of them are male and profess Orthodoxy.
- Great Lavra- the oldest and main monastery. It was founded in 963. This is the largest monastery and the first in the hierarchy. It was founded by Saint Athanasius. He also introduced its inhabitants to hermitism and the cave lifestyle. On the territory of the Lavra there are 17 temples belonging to it, and 19 outside the territory. The monastery has many shrines and relics.
- Vatoped– the monastery stands on a hill that rises above the seashore. It was founded from 972 to 985 by Nicholas, Anthony and Athanasius. These were rich people who came here to become monks during the time of the founder of the Lavra. It is in second place after the Lavra. He keeps within himself a belt that belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition, there are many robes, vessels, as well as numerous icons of the Mother of God that work miracles. They decorate the decoration of the monastery; their names are: Vsetsaritsa, Eliototochaya, Ktitorskaya and Slaughtered.
- Iversky– the name comes from the word Iveron in Greek. This is the name of the country of Georgia in ancient times or Iberia and the Georgians built the monastery. It was founded by the Venerables John Torniky and John the Holy Mountain in 980-983. It is located in the northeast of the peninsula, on the coast next to a small bay, where the city of Kleona and the temple of Poseidon used to be located. It is believed that it was here that the storm brought the ship on which the Mother of God and the Apostle John the Theologian were. Here the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God is now located in a separate church; it is especially revered in Russia. The monastery stores many holy relics.
- Hilandar– located in the northeast of the Athos peninsula. Supported by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Archbishop of Serbia Saint Sava together with Prince Stefan Nemanja founded this monastery in 1198. Now 70 Serbian monks live here. Among the treasures here are icons of the Mother of God, particles of relics of the Passion of Christ and the Life-Giving Cross, as well as the relics of some saints.
- Dionysiatus– it was founded in 1375, and to this day, it stands on an 80-meter cliff, towering above the seashore. It is located between the monasteries of St. Paul and Gregoriate.
There are many other monasteries on the mountain, including the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon.
In addition to monasteries, there are also monasteries. Two Russians: Prophet Elijah and Saint Andrew. Romanian monastery, which belongs to the Lavra of St. John the Baptist. And those that belong to the Iveron Monastery: the Most Holy Theotokos, Righteous Anna, Kafsokalyvia, 2nd Skete of John the Baptist, New Skete, Annunciation, St. Demetrius.
Story
It is believed that the mother of Jesus herself first began to preach on this holy mountain. Perhaps the very first Christians hid in these places from persecution.
Map of the monasteries of Athos (Donor / wikimedia.org)
In one version of the legend, the Mother of God arrived here by ship on purpose and prayed for this place so that it would stand until the end of time. And I heard the answer that Mount Athos would be a paradise or a quiet haven for people burdened with sin.
In another version, the Mother of God, together with John the Theologian, were heading to Cyprus, their ship veered off the intended course and ended up off the coast of the Athos peninsula.
The Mother of God stepped ashore just near the Iveron Monastery that now stands.
It is believed that the first to inhabit the mountain were Peter of Athos (681-884) and Euthymius of Thessalonica.
885 - a decree was passed that Mount Athos was only for monks. Then this peninsula was closed to the laity. And two centuries later it was forbidden for women to be on Mount Athos.
In the old days, the holy mountain had 180 monasteries, when Byzantium fell, the monastic republic was subjected to oppression and persecution, so the number of monasteries decreased significantly.
972 - the monastic republic received autonomous status.
1016 – the first Russian monastery appeared on Mount Athos.
1046 - the peninsula began to be called Holy Mount Athos.
Why are women not allowed to visit monasteries and the mountain?
The legend says that when the Mother of God set foot on the shore, she left a covenant that no woman would set foot on these blessed shores, near which the holy mountain stands. Although some women for some reason wanted to get to Holy Athos, despite the fact that this was impossible.
Monasteries of Athos (WPFDC / flickr.com)
For example, the daughter of the Emperor of Byzantium, Theodosius Placidia, coming from Rome, gathered along the way to see the monasteries. But the voice of the Mother of God in the temple ordered her to leave the lands of Athos.
Princess Maro brought a rich donation to the monasteries, but on the way she met an angel who told her to turn around.
In the 11th century, not only women were forbidden to stay on Mount Athos, but also female animals.
Since 1953, violation of this rule has even been punishable by imprisonment for a period of two months to a year.
Why are such strict rules introduced? There has long been a movement in Europe whose goal is to defend the idea of equal rights for women. And representatives of the fairer sex, justifying their actions as discrimination, are trying to get to Athos.
Despite the ban (avaton), women still visited here, the monks allowed refugees to stay in the monasteries.
Saints of Athos
In the last century, a process of revival of monasteries on Mount Athos took place. The charismatic elders and saints of Athos introduced many to monastic and hermit life.
Bell with Mount Athos in the background (WPFDC / flickr.com)
Famous of them: the hermit Joseph the Hesychast, Elder Paisius the Svyatogorets, Archimandrite Sophrony, Arseny the Caveman, Ephraim of Katunak and others.
A lot can be written about the saints of Athos, as well as about the martyrs. For example, we can talk about the life of one of the saints of Athos - Joachim of Ithaca.
The Monk Joachim of Ithaca is considered the guardian of Ithaca; this island was his homeland.
He came to Mount Athos at the age of 17, where he visited the Vatopedi Monastery. He asked to be allowed to stay in the monastery. Subsequently he became a monk. He made numerous efforts to save people during the revolution in Greece.
For several years he lived in the forest, devoting himself to prayer. When he became a saint, he prevented crimes, predicted future dangers, and healed the sick. He set an example for residents, helping them change their lifestyle.
Elders on the top of the mountain
There is a beautiful legend about invisible elders. Of course, for local monks, this is not just a legend; for them, the saints of Athos really exist. Why this is so can be judged from the narrative of Paisius the Holy Mountain.
View of the peninsula from the top of Mount Athos (Dbachmann / wikimedia.org)
Finding himself on Mount Athos for the first time, Paisius traveled to the monastery of St. Anna, got lost and accidentally went up to the top of the mountain.
Wanting to find the right path, he prayed to the Mother of God. And then suddenly he saw the hermit, a glow emanating from his face.
About 70 years old, which is as old as one could give him by appearance. And from his clothes it became clear that he had not had contact with monks for a long time.
The hermit told Paisius that he was going the wrong way and showed him the right way to the monastery of St. Anna. In response, Paisiy asked the elder where he lived. The hermit pointed to the top. Paisius asked him for his blessing and continued on. Only later did Paisiy Svyatogorets learn that it was one of the elders living on the top.
Mystical places on the holy mountain
The highest area on Mount Athos, where hermits live, is called Kerasya. A little higher than this place, rises a rock named in ancient times by the Greeks - Idolio. Why it is called that can be understood from the name: Idolio - that is, an idol. Here is the oldest of the pagan temples on the holy mountain.
Landscape of Athos (WPFDC / flickr.com)
Access to this territory is strictly prohibited. Nevertheless, a path trodden by someone leads to the altar of the temple. Many such temples appeared here before our era and, accordingly, the Nativity of Christ.
The ancient Greeks highly valued beauty and Idolio was built in one of the most picturesque places on the mountain. A path leads there hidden in thick fog, since the cloud line begins in these places.
Here you can see crosses everywhere, standing at intersections. They must restrain evil spirits that may penetrate beyond the territory of the temple. Why do they stand like that? Perhaps this is due to tradition: it is believed that at a crossroads, especially in the fog, you can meet evil spirits, since worlds intersect in such places.
Despite the fact that there are numerous pagan temples on Mount Athos, there is one more place that monks avoid, although it has nothing to do with paganism.
michael clarke stuff / flickr.com
Why does this place make such an impression? The Holy Mountain keeps legends about Mogul. This is a monastery that was located above the Great Lavra.
Now here you can see a huge slab of solid stone, at an angle, going into the sea. Rockfalls occur here periodically.
And before there was a temple, which was consecrated in honor of Basil the Great. The monastery stood on a steep slope.
After discord began among the monks of the monastery, after some time the monks heard a roar during the service. The rock, which was previously at an altitude of 500 meters, collapsed on the monastery and carried it into the sea. Only the rock foundation remains at this place.
How to get there?
From Athens in Greece you can get to Thessaloniki by bus and train, but with numerous transfers. You can get to Athos from the capital Athens, but the main flow of pilgrims and tourists comes to Athos through Thessaloniki, where the airport is located.
It is best to arrive at the station in the morning, as early as possible, otherwise you will not be able to catch the ferry, which leaves at 9.45.
From Thessaloniki you can get to Ouranoupolis by regular bus, or you can order a taxi. In Ouranoupolis, you need to get diamonitirion at the Pilgrimage Bureau. Then from Ouranoupolis to the port of Daphne, 2 hours by ferry.
There is no charge for accommodation and food in the monasteries. Before arrival you need to give notice 2 weeks in advance, overnight accommodation is provided for one day, to stay longer you need to ask for blessings.
Holy Mount Athos in Greece is a small peninsula, one of the branches of the resort of Halkidiki, an incredibly picturesque place with amazing nature. There are two dozen monasteries here. Mount Athos is one of the most mysterious places, surrounded by legends. According to one legend, the mountain rose from the depths of the sea at the behest of the god Poseidon. With her help, the gods suppressed the uprising of the Titans. And according to another legend, Titan Athos, during the uprising, dropped a huge stone, which became a mountain.
general information
Simonopetra Monastery The monasteries of Athos in Greece are a place of pilgrimage for thousands of guests. However, women are prohibited from visiting the mountain. There is another legend about this. The Virgin Mary, seeing the mountain, was fascinated by the local nature and asked God for it. Since then, no woman has been able to set foot on the slopes of the mountain. The myth is supported by a decree of the Greek President, according to which arrest and imprisonment are provided for a woman who sets foot on Mount Athos.
Athos is a modern state with its own Charter and approximately 2,000 monks who pray day and night for the salvation of humanity. Monks are forbidden to eat meat, smoke and wear any clothes other than church clothes.
Career The capital is Karye, where the Museum of the History of Christianity is located, where ancient manuscripts and rare icons are kept. Simonopetra is recognized as the most beautiful on Mount Athos in Greece - a seven-story building located right on a steep slope, which gives the monastery special grandeur.
One of the features of the monastic republic of Athos is the calculation of time. Here they have their own method of determining the beginning and end of the day; in some places they are guided by sunset and sunrise, and in others by the time zone of Greece.
- Athos is the only place on the planet where women are forbidden to set foot, but this place is the earthly destiny of the Virgin Mary.
- In the pre-Christian period, the mountain was also considered a special place - the temples of Zeus and Apollo were located here.
- Mount Athos on the map of Greece is part of the country, in fact it is an autonomous republic, there is an article about this in the main document - the Constitution. Power is concentrated in the Sacred Organs - the Cinema and the Epistasia. There is also a governor, police, post office, trade, artisans, a hospital and even banking organizations.
- The first monastery was built in 963 by Athanasius of Athos. This saint introduced the basic canons of monastic life. Today this monastery is called the Great Lavra.
- The Virgin Mary is recognized as the patroness of the entire monastic republic, since in 48, after her sermons, the local pagan residents converted to Christianity.
- The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located in Karya, is considered the oldest on the mountain, built around 335.
- In its heyday, there were approximately 180 monasteries on the Athos peninsula. Athos received the status of an autonomous republic in 972, at that time it was patronized by the Byzantine Empire.
- Among the monasteries there is a Russian monastery - St. Panteleimon, built before 1016. There are also Serbian and Bulgarian monasteries here.
- The highest part of Mount Athos is its peak (just over 2 km), there is a temple in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, erected on the site of a pagan temple.
- In the southwestern part of the mountain there are hard-to-reach places - karuli - where the most ascetic monks live.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Monasteries
There are 20 monasteries on Saint Athos in Greece, each with premises for pilgrims and vacationers. The monks talk in detail about the history of the monastery, conduct excursions, and accommodate tourists. Of course, there are no luxury apartments here and the menu is quite modest, but people come here for something completely different.
The most famous and revered shrines of the Christian world are kept in the temples:
- icons;
- robes of saints;
- holy relics and relics.
Great Lavra
The most ancient and largest monastery is located in the southeastern part of the peninsula, at the foot. The founder is Saint Athanasius of Athos, it was he who drew up the Charter of life on the territory of the monastic republic. On the territory of the Lavra there are 17 temples, numerous hermitages and caves where the monks retired.
Located above the sea, in the northeastern part of the peninsula. Built approximately between 973 and 984 by supposedly wealthy men - Anthony, Athanasius and Nicholas. The monastery is the second in the hierarchy of Svyatogorsk churches.
Icons and the belt of the Virgin Mary are kept here, amazing in their beauty of church vestments and utensils.
Iversky Monastery
The construction was carried out by Saint John of Iveron, a companion of Athanasius of Athos. The monastery was founded in 980-983 by Georgians and at the expense of the Georgian royal house of Bagration.
The main relic and shrine of the monastery is the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. Today, Iveron also houses the relics of saints and the miraculous icon of the Goalkeeper. The monastery is active and 30 novices and monks live in it on a permanent basis.
Hilandar
Occupies 4th place in the Athos hierarchy. Founded at the end of the 12th - beginning of the 13th centuries with the royal benefits of St. Sava, who later became Archbishop of Serbia.
5 icons of the Mother of God, relics of saints, the staff of Saint Sava and particles of various relics are kept here. The monastery library contains more than 800 Slavic, 180 Greek manuscripts and about 20 thousand printed books.
Unlike other monasteries, Khaliand continued to operate and prosper during the Turkish occupation.
The monastery is currently being restored after a fire in 2004. About 20 monks live on the territory.
It is interesting that on Athos, in the Khalindar monastery, you can write a letter with a request and they will send you a branch of a grapevine, which, according to legend, heals infertile suprkgs.
Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece is located on the seashore near Daphne. Built in 1765. Until this time, the monastery was located further from the coast and was opened in the 11th century, when the first Russian monks came to the mountain.
The monastery stands out for its architectural ensemble. There are many buildings on the territory of the monastery, including multi-story ones, with beautiful domes. The overall impression is as if you were in a cozy town.
The cathedral church was built between 1810 and 1820, the refectory is designed for 800 people. The monastery owns five cells and monasteries. The relics of St. Panteleimon, the foot of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called and individual parts of the Holy Cross, rare icons, beautiful church vestments are kept here; a separate room was built for the library.
Dionysiatus
The Church of St. Dionysius was opened in 1375, located on a steep cliff, at an altitude of approximately 80 meters above the sea. The monastery was named after its founder, St. Dionysius. The temple houses the holy relics of John the Baptist and Saint Niphon.
Located in the northeastern part of the Athos peninsula, nearby are the ruins of an ancient settlement. The founders are the brothers Alexy (commander of the troops), John (worked in court).
The first mention of the monastery dates back to 1358. In 1362, the monastery was rebuilt and the courtyards were completed. The temple contains shrines - the relics of Theodore Stratelates, part of the Life-Giving Cross and part of the shield of St. Mercury.
Xyropotamus
The monastery is located in one of the most picturesque parts of the Athos peninsula. There is no exact information about the founder of the monastery. According to some sources, it was founded by Empress Pulcheria. Other sources mention Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus.
The largest part of the Holy Cross is kept here, in which you can see the hole from the nail.
Bulgarian temple, translated the name means “painter”. According to legend, the monastery was built in the 10th century by brother monks. During construction, a dispute arose - in honor of which Saint should the temple be opened - the Virgin Mary, Saint Nicholas or Saint George. Not having reached a consensus, the brothers left the icon plaque in the room. The next morning they discovered an icon of St. George on it.
The monastery is located in the depths of the island, so you will have to walk about 5 km to get there. Important shrines are kept here - the miraculous image of St. George, the icon of the Virgin Mary Akathista.
Located in the southwestern part of the peninsula. Built approximately in the second half of the 10th century by one of the associates of Athanasius of Athos - Saint Euthymius. One of the shrines is the icon of the Mother of God.
How to get to the Holy Mountain
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If you are interested in the question of how to get to Mount Athos in Greece, start by completing the documents:
- Schengen visa or Greek visa;
- diamonitirion - official permission to visit the monastery and stay on its territory (cost 25 euros).
It is important! The pilgrimage center is located in Thessaloniki, there is a department for issuing permits. Address: 109, Egnatia Street, Thessaloniki, 546 22. Request can be sent by email - [email protected].
Official confirmation from the monastery that they are ready to accept you must be obtained before traveling to Greece. This is due to the varying degrees of workload of the monasteries. At different times of the year there is such an influx of pilgrims that not every monastery is able to accommodate everyone.
Stavronikita You can almost always stay in the monasteries of Dionysiat, Kostamonit, St. Paul or in St. Andrew's monastery. The most difficult places to stay are in the monasteries of Pantokrator, Stavronikit, Hilandar and Simonopetr.
After agreement with the monastery, you can book a hotel in Thessaloniki. Then you need to get to Ouranoupolis - this is a city bordering Mount Athos. You can get there by bus; flights depart regularly from the bus station. You need to find out the exact schedule at the ticket office, as it changes depending on the time of year and the influx of tourists. You can also take a taxi. The cost of the trip is approximately 80 to 100 euros.
From Ouranoupolis to Athos there is a ferry or speedboat, you will need to buy a ticket. If you have Diamonitirion, the ferry ride is free. It follows to Daphne and the monasteries, located in the northwestern part of Athos. You have to walk to the monasteries, which are located in the depths of the peninsula (an average of 5 km).
It is important! If you want to catch the ferry, you must take the first two buses to Ouranoupolis. You can only get to the Holy Mountain by water, since the land border with mainland Greece is closed.
A city bus runs from Daphne to the capital of the peninsula, Karye. As a rule, its flights are coordinated with the arrival time of the ferry.
On the return journey, the ferry departs from Daphne at noon, passes through the piers of all the monasteries and arrives in Ouranoupolis at 14-00.
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How to get permission
List of documents:
Diamonitirion - Schengen or Greek visa (for Ukrainians - biometric passport);
- Diamonitirion is a special visa issued to tourists to visit the Holy Mountain, valid for four days.
You can obtain permission directly from the monastery or the building of the Pilgrimage Bureau, which is located in Thessaloniki.
It is necessary to plan a visit to Athos and send a request for permission very much in advance - six months before the intended visit to Greece. The request must indicate:
- last name, first name, patronymic of the tourist;
- scan of international passport;
- date of arrival on Athos;
- contact details – telephone, email;
- religion
This information must be sent by fax or email. All contacts can be found on the website visitafon.ru.
A positive decision to visit the Holy Mountain comes several weeks before the specified date by email. The pilgrim is also notified by telephone.
How to get diamonitirion
Pilgrim Bureau Office Tourists receive a visa in Ouranoupolis at the pilgrimage service office after presenting their passport. The document is presented on the day of departure to Mount Athos. Upon receipt of a visa, the tourist pays a fee of 25 EUR.
You must keep the document with you along the way, since you can only enter the ferry by presenting a monastic visa. Having arrived on Athos, you must immediately visit the monastery that issued the diamonitirion to the pilgrim.
Prices on the page are for April 2018.
As you can see, in order to make a trip, it is not enough to find out where Athos is located on the territory of Greece; you will need to fill out documents and go a long way. Athos in Greece is a unique place where there is a special atmosphere, peace and you can find answers to the most complex and intimate questions.
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Holy Mount Athos, the spiritual center of Orthodoxy in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is revered by Orthodox Christians around the world as the earthly Destiny of the Mother of God.
According to legend, during a storm on the way to Cyprus, the ship of the Virgin Mary was washed up on the shore of Athos. The beauty of the peninsula delighted the Mother of God, and she asked for this place as her inheritance and received it from God.
The complex of monasteries of Athos forms the Autonomous monastic state of the Holy Mountain. The special status of the administrative unit is enshrined in the Greek constitution - a self-governing community, which includes 20 Orthodox monasteries, they are under the jurisdiction of Constantinople. Management is carried out by the Holy Kinot - the central council body. Greece has its own governor on the Holy Mountain. About 1,800 men live in the Athos monasteries and hermitages.
On Mount Athos, only the Julian calendar (Old Calendar) is used, unlike the rest of the Patriarchate of Constantinople
Mount Athos is located in the eastern part of the country, on the peninsula of the same name in the Aegean Sea. Geographically, Athos is the eastern tip of Chalkidiki. The mountain has a classic “pyramid” shape, its height is 2033 meters. At the foot of Mount Athos is the city of Ouranoupolis, from which the pilgrim route mainly begins.
Monasteries of Athos in Greece
Monastic life and prayer have continued on Mount Athos since the 4th century. A special stage in history occupies the 7th century, when, after the Muslim invasion of the lands of Byzantium, many monks and hermits arrived on the island. At the same time, by decision of the Trullo Council, the peninsula was transferred to monastic monasteries.
The length of the island is 60 km, there are many icons, relics of saints and other relics.
Monastic Mountain is known throughout the world for its ban on entry for women. Even female animals are prohibited here, with the exception of chickens and cats. However, there are known cases of women staying on the peninsula: monks received refugee families during times of hostilities.
Now on Holy Mount Athos there are 20 monasteries that have the status of patriarchal stauropegies and are communal. 17 of them are Greek monasteries, 1 is Russian, 1 is Serbian, 1 is Bulgarian. It is prohibited to create new monasteries on the Holy Mountain.
The leading monastery of the Holy Mountain is the Great Lavra
The Lavra of St. Athanasius was founded in 963 by St. Athanasius of Athos. The Lavra houses the Catholicon of the Annunciation (cathedral church); its main shrines are the cross and staff of St. Athanasius, the miraculous icons “Ekonomissa” and “Kukuzelissa”. The largest number of church relics on the peninsula (manuscripts, historical documents, frescoes, etc.) is stored here. There are 50 monks living in the monastery, each performing their duties. The monastery is open all year round from dawn to sunset. Many pilgrims strive to climb to the top of the mountain to the cross - on foot or on mules. There are two paths: a short steep one and a more gentle one. On average, the ascent takes about 6-8 hours.
Vatopedi Monastery
second in the hierarchy of the Holy Mountain, one of the most ancient and largest, was created in 972-985 by three monks - students of St. Athanasius of Athos, has an extensive library of ancient manuscripts and codices, two monasteries, cells and farmsteads. The main shrines are part of the Life-Giving Cross, the honorable belt of the Virgin Mary. The monumental monastery is surrounded by a high wall. About 50 monks live here, and work is currently underway to restore large buildings.
Greek Orthodox Iveron Monastery
Also known as Iveron: in the northeast of the peninsula, built by a Georgian monk at the end of the 10th century on the seashore. Iveron, the third monastery in the hierarchy of Athos, houses the largest number of relics of saints and the miraculous icon of the Goalkeeper. In the 16th century, the monastery was decorated with frescoes. The monks are actively engaged in the restoration of historical buildings around the monastery. About 30 monks and novices live here.
St. Panteleimon Monastery
Known to many as the Russian monastery on Mount Athos (Rossikon), it occupies 19th place in the hierarchy. It contains typical examples of Russian fresco. Many priceless shrines and relics of saints are kept here. Formed on the basis of a Russian settlement that formed on the peninsula in the 11th century, it received formal monastery status in 1169. He became completely Russian at the end of the 19th century. Currently, his farmsteads in Russia are located in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The area resembles a small city with many buildings and domed churches. In addition to the monasteries, there are 12 monasteries scattered on the territory of the Holy Mountain peninsula, many of which are large settlements and differ from monastic monasteries only in status. Rossikon was rebuilt in the 13th century after a major fire. The brotherhood of the monastery includes about 40 monks.
In a special area hermit monks settle in the south of Athos. The road here is quite difficult and dangerous: along a narrow path along a steep cliff.
Rules for visiting the Holy Mountain
Most tourists have the opportunity to see the mountain and some of its monasteries exclusively from the sea - during a cruise excursion in the Aegean Sea - along the shores of the Athos Peninsula. Similar boat excursions are conducted from the coastal resorts of Halkidiki and take on average 5-6 hours.
To visit the monasteries of Holy Mount Athos, you need to obtain a diamonitirion (special written permission). A man who is a follower of any religion can receive it. Permission is usually given for 4 days, the required document is a passport, international passport. It is recommended to call the office in advance, as the number of permits issued per day is limited: 10 for non-Orthodox and 100 for Greeks and Orthodox.
Certain rules must be followed regarding appearance and behavior on the Holy Mountain.
Clergy arriving on the island must first receive the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch or the local bishop. Women are still prohibited from entering the territory of the monastery complex on Mount Athos. A complete list of visiting rules for pilgrims can be found at
Athos- the mountain and peninsula in, in the Halkidiki region, is included in the 1000 best places in the world according to our website. The height of the mountain is 2033 meters. For Orthodox Christians around the world, Athos is one of the main holy places, the earthly Destiny of the Mother of God. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now there are about 20 monasteries on the peninsula, home to more than 2,000 monks.
The oldest of the 20 monasteries located on the peninsula, Lavra, was founded in 963, and the most recent, Stavronikita, in 1542.
Women and even female animals are not allowed into the territory of monastic settlements (approx. 78 sq. km)! This has been the case since 1060, when the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Monomakh issued a decree prohibiting women, with the exception of the Virgin Mary, from visiting Athos.
But it’s not much easier for men either. Mount Athos is considered sacred and you can set foot on it if you have special permission. Usually tourists take a boat trip around the peninsula and enjoy the views of the mountain and monasteries from the sea.
Photo attraction: Mount Athos
One of the oldest Orthodox monasteries, Xiropotamos, is located on Mount Athos. The monastery is dedicated to the forty Sebastian martyrs. The order for its construction was given by Princess Pulcheria in the fifth century.
Since ancient times, Xiropotamus has been one of the richest and most prosperous monasteries on the Holy Mountain. Around the sixteenth century, the monastery suffered a misfortune - it was severely damaged during a powerful earthquake. Subsequently, Andronikos Palaiologos was involved in its restoration.
Today 60 inhabitants live in the monastery. The main relic of the monastery is a cross from the Life-Giving Tree - the same one on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
Gregoriate Monastery
The monastery of Grigoriat is located on the southwestern side of the Holy Mountain, next to the monasteries of Dionysiat and Simonopetra. In the hierarchy of Athos monasteries it is in 17th place.
The monastery was founded in the 14th century by a hermit monk named Gregory and his students. Unfortunately, little information has survived about the monastery, since its archives were completely destroyed by fires in 1500 and 1762. Grigoriat was also attacked many times by pirates. In subsequent years, the monastery was periodically restored with donations from Orthodox sovereigns of those times.
Currently, Grigoriat is an active monastery; about 70 monks live in it, who themselves take care of food and everyday needs. The monastery houses 279 manuscripts, about 6,000 printed books, various sacred utensils and vestments.
Dohiar Monastery
Dochiar is a Greek Orthodox monastery for men located in Greece on Mount Athos. Dokhiar is tenth on the list of Athonite monasteries. In 1990, 32 monks lived on its territory.
The main temple in Dohiara was founded under Emperor Nikephoros Phocas. Euthymius, the founder of the monastery, first built a church, and then on the site of Dochiar he created the temple of St. Nicholas. Funds for the construction of an Orthodox monastery were given by Patrick Nicholas, who was subsequently tonsured in Dohiara and became hegumen after Euthymius.
In the 14th century, Dochiar was supported by Emperor John Palaiologos and King Stefan Dusan of Serbia. Two centuries later, the Orthodox monastery was revived, since after the pogrom by the Wallachian sovereign it needed restoration. Now tourists can observe the beauty of the monastery, into which a lot of effort was invested by its founder Euthymius and his followers.
Philotheus Monastery
One of the oldest monasteries of Athos, founded in the 10th century, mentioned in manuscripts of the 11th century.
Located on the northeastern coast of the peninsula, between the monasteries of Iveron and Caracal. The cathedral church of Philotheus was built in 1746, painted in the 2nd half of the 18th century. Dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In addition to the Cathedral Church, the monastery has 7 churches and chapels:
1) St. John Chrysostom
2) St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
3) Three Saints
4) John the Baptist
5) Holy Archangels
6) Martyrs Marina
7) All Saints.
Outside the monastery there are 17 churches.
One of the most comfortable and well-kept monasteries on the Holy Mountain.
Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon on Athos
Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mount Athos is also known as Rossikon or New Russik. This is an architectural monument and at the same time one of the 20 operating monasteries in Greece on Mount Athos. In the 19th century, the monastery bells were the largest in Greece.
This monastery, like all other Athonite monasteries, is a patriarchal stauropegy and is subject to the canonical jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In our time, the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon is in 19th place in the hierarchy of Svyatogorsk monasteries.
The library, which was badly damaged in a fire in 1959, is considered a real treasure of the monastery. Despite great losses, the monastery library has more than 20,000 valuable books and manuscripts.
Iversky Monastery
The main architect and founder of the monastery is Saint John of Iveron. He built the holy monastery in 980, having previously renounced the position of royal adviser and become a monk. At first, the monastery was considered Georgian, as it appeared under the Georgian king David. A little later, at the beginning of the 14th century, by decree of the Patriarch, it was included in a number of Greek monasteries. But the name remained the same, Georgian, which arose in honor of the state of Iberia.
Before the beginning of the 20th century, the monastery burned down several times. Unreasonable fires completely destroyed the building. And each time Iveron was restored. Several countries helped financially with this. Including Russia and Georgia. The monastery is priceless because it houses a huge number of relics of saints. The monastery has more than 15 chapels, where over 150 miraculous icons are collected. This is not the case in any other temple in the world. Therefore, this wealth is guarded like the apple of an eye.
Sights of Athos
