A country that harbors legends since the founding of our planet, beckoning to itself with special holy places. If you want to change your outlook on life, then welcome to Athos.
Foundation history
In Greece, with special trepidation, they keep the foundations and traditions that originated so long ago that even documentary evidence has been preserved in the form of myths. Of all the stories of the founding of Mount Athos, two occupy a special place.
According to the first legend, the Blessed Virgin Mary is considered the founder, who by chance found herself on the coast. She was so struck by the beauty of nature that she prayed with special zeal for the grant of these places to her son. And her prayers were answered.
According to the second legend, the peninsulas were formed during the battle of the titans of Athos and Poseidon. In their fight, they threw stones at each other, which turned into mountains. According to highly classified information, the defeated Poseidon was buried at the site of the battle.
The first mentions of the monks who settled here date back to 960 - 970 BC. Then the rules of conduct on the sacred land were established, which are still in effect. For several centuries, the community has undergone oppression from the Hesychasmites, the Ottoman Empire, and even local peasants. However, she survived, which earned the respect of believers of various confessions.
What to look for
The pride of the monastic republic, located in Halkidiki, are monasteries, of which there are about twenty. Besides Greek, you can find Serbian, Bulgarian and Russian. No temple is like another, but all are united by a single Byzantine style.
In addition to monasteries, sketes, cells, hesychasters (special caves for hermits), and kallivas are used for housing. There are also houses for pilgrims and tourists scattered along the coast.
In addition to architecture, there is an opportunity to get acquainted with the life of the inhabitants, ancient manuscripts and printed books, treasures of icon painting, where, in addition to icons, there are frescoes, wall paintings. By the way, many icons stored on Mount Athos are considered miraculous. For example, the image of the Great Martyr George, according to legend, independently arrived at the Holy Mountain from Arabia by sea.
Ossuary seems not familiar to perception. These are special tombs where the remains of the departed are kept. Skulls are placed on the shelves, on which the name of the deceased and the date of death are inscribed.
Ticket to Athos
To visit the Sacred Mountain, you must obtain a diamonithirion - a special pass issued by the Pilgrims Bureau of Ouranopilis.
There are two types of permissions: general and individual. With a general pass, you can stay on Athos for 4 days and 3 nights, while visiting any place. An individual permit is issued by a specific monastery for staying exclusively on its territory, then the period of stay is not limited.
It is better to send documents for registration of diamonithirion to the Bureau of Pilgrims in advance, several months before the expected date of visit. This is especially true for non-Orthodox, since the charter of the monastic republic is allowed to enter no more than 10 non-faithful visitors per day.
Behavior rules
1. Only men over 12 years old are allowed on Mount Athos.
2. Entry is strictly prohibited for women.
3. Strict requirements for clothing. Remember that T-shirts, shorts, caps and hats are not welcome. Try to cover your body as much as possible.
4. Monks provide themselves with the necessary products, growing them on their plantations. Therefore, there are no problems with food and water. In addition, miraculous properties are attributed to the springs located near the monasteries.
5. Video filming is prohibited. Photos can only be taken with the permission of local residents.
6. When leaving the peninsula, an inspection of personal belongings is carried out in order to prevent the theft and removal of shrines.
7. Swimming and sunbathing is also not recommended, because of this, you can lose the right to stay on the territory of the Holy Mountain.
It seems difficult to find a more suitable place for solitude and conversations with God, time is frozen here, there is no fuss. Peace will never leave your soul and thoughts.
