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 put down the Titans ‘ rebellion. And according to another legend, the Titan Athos during the uprising dropped a huge stone, which became a mountain.
General information
The monasteries of Mount Athos in Greece are a place of pilgrimage for thousands of visitors. However, women are not allowed to visit the mountain. There is another legend about this. The Virgin Mary, seeing the mountain, was charmed by the local nature and asked God for it. Since then, no woman can set foot on the slopes of the mountain. The myth is reinforced by the decree of the President of Greece, according to which a woman who sets foot on Mount Athos is subject to arrest and imprisonment.
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, or wear anything other than church clothes.
The capital is Karje, where the Museum of the History of Christianity is located, where ancient manuscripts and rare icons are kept. The most beautiful on Mount Athos in Greece is Simonopetra-a seven-story building located right on a steep slope, which gives the monastery a special grandeur.
One of the features of the monastic Republic of Mount Athos is time counting. It has its own method of determining the beginning and end of the day, some are guided by sunset and sunrise, and some-by the time zone of the state of Greece.
Interesting facts about Mount Athos
- Mount Athos is a place on the planet where women are forbidden to set foot, but it is this place that is the earthly lot 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 of Kinot and Epistasia. There is also a governor, police, post office, trade is conducted, artisans work, a hospital and even banking organizations.
- The first monastery was built in 963 by Athanasius of Athos. This saint put into effect 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, 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.
- During its heyday, there were approximately 180 monasteries on the territory of 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 (a little more than 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.
Monasteries
There are 20 monasteries on Mount Athos in Greece, each with a room for pilgrims and vacationers. The monks tell us in detail about the history of the monastery, conduct excursions, and settle tourists. Of course, there are no luxury apartments here and the menu is quite modest, but people come here for something completely different.
The temples contain the most famous and revered shrines of the Christian world:
- icons;
- vestments of saints;
- holy relics and relics.
The Great Lavra
It was built in 963 by Saint Athanasius of Athos with the financial support of the emperors Nikephoros Phokas and Ioannis Tzimiskes. Throughout the ten centuries of its existence, the monastery has always ranked first among other monasteries of the Holy Mountain, partly because of its wealth, partly because of the relics stored in it (manuscripts, historical documents, chisobulls, portable icons, etc.).
The monumental structure of the monastery is especially noticeable in its large buildings. The central church (Catholicon) with two large chapels of the Forty Martyrs and St. Nicholas occupies the center of the monastery. Inside there is also a refectory, kitchen, library, etc. In the four passageways surrounding the monastery, there are monks ‘ cells, a guest house, chapels and others.
The monastery is home to 50 monks, whose daily duties are divided between their monastic duties (Mass, prayers, etc.) and hospitality to numerous visitors from all over the world.
The monastery is open all year round from sunrise to sunset. During the winter months, it is extremely difficult to get to the monastery. Visitors who wish to explore or photograph the monastery’s artwork should first contact the 10th Euphrates Museum of Byzantine Antiquities, as well as the monastery itself.
Vatopedi Monastery
The monastery was built in the second half of the 10th century by three monks Athanasius, Nicholas and Anthony of Adrianople, disciples of St. Athanasius of the Lavra.
This is a large monumental monastery surrounded by a high wall, with buildings located on a Triangle.
Inside the spacious courtyard there is a central church, a cross refectory and several chapels. Inside the central church, you can see the only mosaic on the Holy Mountain, and its frescoes, painted around 1312, are attributed to the artist Manuel Panselinos from Thessaloniki. In addition to frescoes and mosaics, the monastery houses a large number of unique portable icons, manuscripts and religious objects.
About 50 monks live in the monastery today, where an extensive construction project is underway to restore large buildings.
Iversky Monastery
The third largest among the twenty monasteries of the Holy Mountain, the monastery was built in the late 10th century by the Georgian (Iberian) monks Ioannis and Euthymius on the site of the former monastery of Clement. The 16th century was the heyday of the monastery, as a result of which it was decorated with magnificent paintings (Catholicon frescoes, etc.).
Built on the seashore, the monastery is surrounded by four rectangular naves. In the center, you can see the central church, founded in the 10th century, as two historically important chapels of Panagia Portaitissa and John the Baptist. Most of the passageways were rebuilt in the 19th century. A large monastic community is responsible for restoring the ruined buildings surrounding the complex.
The monastery holiday falls on August 15 – the day of the Assumption of the Virgin (August 28 in the new style) and is celebrated with special pomp.
Many pilgrims visit the monastery to see the legendary wonders of Panagia Portaitissa.
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 wonderworking icon Vratarnitsa. The monastery is active and has a permanent residence of 30 novices and monks.
Hilandar
The monastery’s history dates back to the 10th century, but after its destruction, Emperor Alexy III gave it to Serbian rulers Stefan Nemanja and his son Rastko in 1198.
In the 14th century, the monastery reached its peak, collecting riches and relics from both imperial and private donations.
One of the largest and richest relic monasteries of the Holy Mountain, Hilandar has been the main spiritual center of the Serbs since the 12th century. In addition to the central church (Katolikon), revered in memory of the Presentation of the Virgin, there are many chapels, a refectory and passages with cells for monks, as well as other auxiliary buildings (guest house, library, etc.).
In addition to the abundance of frescoes (St. George’s Tower, Catholicon, old and new refectory, etc.), the monastery houses one of the largest libraries of Slavic and Greek manuscripts, as well as a large number of portable icons of the XII century.
The current monastic community maintains close relations with the Serbian people, as well as with the Greek population of the Holy Mountain and its surroundings.
It is interesting that on Mount Athos, in the monastery of Halindar, you can write a letter with a request and you will be sent a sprig of vine, which is attached to heal infertile spouses.
Meteora — monasteries on the rocks in Greece
Monastery of St. Panteleimon
Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece is located on the beach near Daphne. It was built in 1765. Until then, the monastery was located further from the coast and was opened in the XI century, when the first Russian monks came to the mountain.
The monastery stands out for its architectural ensemble. On the territory of the monastery there are many buildings, including multi-storey ones, with beautiful domes. The overall impression is as if you were in a cozy town.
The cathedral church was built in the period from 1810 to 1820, the refectory is designed for 800 people. The monastery has five cells and hermitages. Here are kept the relics of St. Panteleimon, the foot of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called and some parts of the Honest Cross, rare icons, beautiful church vestments, a separate room has been built for the library.
Dionysiates
It was built in the mid-14th century by the monk Dionysius of Corissa in the area of Kastoria with the financial support of Emperor Alexius III Komnenos of Trapezia. The monastery was named after its founder, St. Dionysius. The church houses the holy relics of St. John the Baptist and St. Niphon. In 1535, the monastery was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt, and its architecture and buildings have remained unchanged ever since.
This is one of the most daring architectural structures, built on a cliff high above the sea. Although the interior space is quite limited, there is not only a central church, but also several chapels, many of which are painted on the walls. Inside the monastery there is also a defensive tower, built in 1520 and periodically used to store the monastery library.
Today, this monastery of Mount Athos is home to a new, dynamically developing monastic community, which is engaged in the repair of old buildings
On a note! If you want to combine a beach holiday in Greece with a visit to Mount Athos, we recommend staying in the village of Vourvourou on the neighboring peninsula. It offers a view of the Holy Mountain and is easily accessible by water. The resort is described in detail on this page.
Pantokrator Monastery
It is located in the north-eastern part of the Athos peninsula on the seashore, near the ruins of an ancient settlement. It is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior. The Catholicon is made in the Atonite style and is decorated with frescoes of the XIV century, which were painted over in 1845.
The monastery was founded by two Byzantine officials, Alexios and Ioannis. After the fall of the empire, the monastery was financially supported by the rulers of Eastern Europe. Two devastating fires occurred in 1773 and recently in 1948.
Pantokrator has 15 chapels, the most important of which is the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The hermitage of the Prophet Elijah also belongs to the monastery.
The monastery on the Holy Mountain houses a large collection of portable icons, church paraphernalia and relics, and the library houses 350 manuscripts and more than 3,500 books. Pantokrator is home to a fraternity of 25 monks.
Xiropotamus
The monastery is located in one of the most picturesque parts of the Athos peninsula on the road from Daphne to Caries, and is dedicated to 40 martyrs. There is no exact information about the founder of the monastery.
The Catholicon was built in 1761 by the monk Caesar Daponte and decorated with frescoes in 1783. The monastery has several chapels and several cells.
After the fall of Byzantium, Turkish raids and two devastating fires in 1507 and 1609 caused serious damage to the monastery.
The Xiropotamus on the Holy Mountain has a rich collection of family heirlooms, the most prominent of which is the world’s largest work of the Cross of Christ, as well as a small round steatite icon known as the Pulcheria Disk.
The library has about 400 manuscripts and 4,000 books. It is home to a brotherhood of 30 monks.
Toroni is another cozy place to stay in Sithonia
Zograf
Bulgarian temple, in translation the name means-painter. According to legend, the monastery was built in the X century by brothers-monks. During the construction process, a dispute arose over whether the church should be dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Saint Nicholas or Saint George. Unable to reach a consensus, the brothers left an icon board in the room. The next morning, they found an icon of St. George on it.
The monastery is located in the interior of the island, so you will have to walk to it about 5 km. Important shrines are kept here – the image of St. George not made with hands, the icon of the Virgin Mary Akathist.
Kriopigi — what to expect from your holiday in Halkidiki
Dohiar
This is one of the most elegant and beautiful monasteries of the Holy Mountain, located on the beach in Greece. First you can see the refectory (old and new), which ends at the highest point of the high tower that rises above this place.
A Catholicon, equally tall, was built over the walls of an older church. The monastery was founded in the second half of the 10th century; its foundation is attributed to Euthymius, a disciple of St. Athanasius of the Great Lavra, who had the “Doheion” (vessel) service that gave the monastery its name.
The Catholicon and Refectory were built and decorated with frescoes in the middle of the 16th century (1568). The refectory’s murals date back to 1675 and 1700 (northern part). In addition to the 16th-century frescoes in the Catholicon, there are also important 18th-century frescoes in exonartex, which are an excellent copy of the 14th-century from other monuments.
No less remarkable is the monastery library, where, in addition to the most important historical monuments, you can find about 900 manuscripts.
How to get to the Holy Mountain
If you are interested in the question-how to get to Mount Athos in Greece-start by completing the documents:
- a Schengen visa or a 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, where there is a department for issuing permits. Address: 109, Egnatia Street, Thessaloniki, 546 22. You can send your request by email — piligrimsbureau@c-lab.gr.
An official confirmation from the monastery that you are ready to be accepted must be obtained before traveling to Greece. This is due to the varying degree of congestion of monasteries. At different times of the year, there is such an influx of pilgrims that not every monastery is able to accept everyone.
You can almost always stay in the monasteries of Dionysiat, Kostamonit, St. Paul or St. Andrew’s skete. The most difficult places to stay are in the monasteries of Pantokrator, Stavronikit, Hilandar and Simonopetr.
After an agreement with the monastery, you can book a hotel in Thessaloniki. Then you need to get to Ouranoupolis – a city bordering Mount Athos. You can get there by bus, flights are made regularly from the bus station. Check 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 from 80 to 100 euros.
From Uranoupolis to Mount Athos, you will need to buy a ticket by ferry or speedboat. If you have diamonitrion, the ferry ride is free. It follows to Daphne and the monasteries, located in the north-western part of Mount Athos. The monasteries, which are located in the interior of the peninsula, have to walk (on average 5 km).
It is important! If you want to catch the ferry, you must arrive in Uranoupolis by the first two buses. You can only get to the Holy Mountain by water, as the land border with the Greek mainland is closed.
A city bus runs from Daphne to the capital of the Karje Peninsula. 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 Uranoupolis at 14: 00.
How to get permission
List of documents:
- 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 get a permit directly from the monastery or the building of the Pilgrimage Office, which is located in Thessaloniki-the cultural and industrial city of Greece.
- Address: 109 Str. Av. Egnatias-54622 Thessaloniki Greece.
- The Mount Athos office is open from Monday to Saturday from 9: 00 to 13: 00.
As a rule, the office issues only 10 permits per day for non-Orthodox pilgrims (foreigners) and 100 for Greek and Orthodox pilgrims. Due to the small number of permits, we recommend contacting your office several months or even six months in advance. These permissions are valid for visiting for 4 days.
Permits are issued to adult male pilgrims over the age of 18. Young men under the age of 18 are allowed if they are accompanied by their father.
In the request, you must specify:
- last name, first name and patronymic of the tourist;
- scan of a foreign passport;
- date of arrival on Mount Athos;
- contact information-phone, email;
- religion.
Please send this information by fax or email. All contacts can be found on the website http://mountathosinfos.gr/.
A positive decision to visit the Holy Mountain is sent to your email address a few weeks before the specified date. The pilgrim is also notified by phone.
How to get Diamonitrion
Tourists receive a visa in Uranoupolis at the office of the pilgrimage service after presenting their passport. The document is handed over on the day of departure to Mount Athos. When obtaining a visa, the tourist pays a fee of 25 EUR if he is Orthodox, 35 EUR if he is not Orthodox, and 18 EUR if he is a student.
The document must be kept with you during the journey, since you can only enter the ferry by presenting a monastic visa. Arriving on Mount Athos in Greece, you must immediately visit the monastery, which was issued to the pilgrim by diamonitirion.
Monasteries do not charge a fee for visiting, but donations are accepted. Most monasteries and hermitages require pilgrims to call in advance of their visit. Also, visitors who receive the “idiko diamonitirio” must stay only in the monastery that issued the invitation.
As you can see, to make a trip, it is not enough to find out where Mount Athos is located on the territory of Greece, you will need to issue documents and travel a long way. Mount Athos in Greece is a unique place where there is a special atmosphere, peace and you can find answers to the most difficult and intimate questions.
