Vacation in Mount Athos in Greece
Mount
Athos (Agio Oros) is situated on the most northerly, and most beautiful
peninsula of the three that spread out like fingers from Halkidiki, in
the Macedonian region of north-eastern Greece, some 140 km (90 miles)
south-east of Thessaloniki. Known as the Holy Mount, it is the treasury
of the Greek Orthodox faith, and the entire peninsula is dedicated to
the worship of God.
It is the
oldest monastic republic in existence and among its rules, which have
been enforced for more than 1,000 years, are those stating that no women
are permitted within 500 meters (1,650 feet) and that no images of women
are allowed.
The Holy
Mount covers an area of 350 sq km (135 sq miles) and is a self-governing
part of Greevr state. It is divided into 20 self-governing monasteries
and a number of smaller monastic communities known as 'sketae'. These
communities operate three different forms of monastic rule,
coenobitic, where the monks live and worship together,
idiorrhythmic, where the monks organize their own time and only come
together on Sundays and Holy Days and solitary, where monks live as
hermits in caves in the cliffs.
The peninsula
has an extraordinary natural beauty. The slopes of the mountain are
clothed with ancient evergreens that stretch towards the highest point,
which is above the treeline at 2,033 meters (6,700 feet). According to
the legend, the Virgin was traveling to Cyprus with St John the Divine
when a storm forced them to take refuge at what is now the Holy
Monastery of Ivara. The Virgin was so impressed by the beauty of the
place that God gave her the mountain saying, 'Let this place be your
lot, your garden and your paradise, as well as a salvation, a haven for
those who seek salvation'.
When visiting
Mouth Athos, only men can apply to visit and must do so via the Mount
Athos Pilgrim's Office in Thessaloniki at least six months in advance.
Only ten non-Orthodox pilgrims are allowed per day and only one night is
allowed at any one monastery.
