From: kardaras@berdis.ecn.purdue.edu (George S Kardaras)
Subject: Mt. Athos
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 03:08:38 GMT


Home of Alexander the Great, but not widely explored by tourists,
Macedonia, the  largest  of  Greek  provinces, has  more to offer
than many think.  As a result, I  thought  it  would  be  a  good
idea   to describe  in  a  series of postings various regions and
cities of this province.  Today's selection is Mt. Athos.

According to a very old legend, the Christian history of Mt.Athos
begins  when  Virgin  Mary,  on  a  sea  trip to visit her friend
Lazarus in Cyprus, was thrown off course by a storm  and  led  by
divine  sign  to  the Athonite coast. The peninsula known then as
Akte, was a notorious center of paganism, but the  moment  Mary's
foot  touched  its soil the false idols all smashed themselves to
bits in frenzied proclamation of their own  worthlessness.   Mary
then  declared  Athos  to  be  her holy garden,  forbidden to all
other women for eternity, and blessed  the  land  before  sailing
back to  Jaffa.

Mt.Athos (or otherwise named 'Agio Oros' = 'Holy Mountain') is  a
world apart. Halkidiki's easternmost peninsula harbors 20 Eastern
Orthodox monasteries  comprising  an  autonomous  monastic  state
where  the way of life has remained unchanged since the Byzantine
Era. Mt.Athos is the vigorous center and spiritual  authority  of
Orthodox Christianity.

Monks use the Julian rather than the  Gregorian  calendar  and  a
variable  time system based on the rising and setting of the sun.
They attempt to transcend the confining material pleasures of the
outside  world  and  lead  an  ascetic,  spiritual life. Food and
possessions are very modest and visitors wearing shorts will  not
be  admitted;  men  with  long hair should tie it in a bun at the
nape of the neck as the  monks  do.  There  are  no  tourists  in
Mt.Athos, only pilgrims.

An edict of the Emperor Constantine from 1060AC, enforced to this
day,  forbids  women  or  even  female  domesticated animals from
setting foot on the peninsula.  The  consequent  absence  of  any
foraging  goats  or  other  livestock  has  allowed  the luxirant
forests that blanket the hillside  to  remain  in  their  natural
state,  though  the  dense foliage provides good cover for birds,
poisonous snakes and  other  animals  who  managed  to  foil  the
decree.  This  lush  tangle  of dark green heightens the mystical
aura pervading  Athos, intensified  by  the  jaged  grayish-white
marble peak of Mt.Athos itself.

Some of the most known monasteries in the region are  the  Church
of  Panayia,  Agia  Anna,  Iviron,  Megisti Lavra, Simonos Petra,
Stavronikita and Prophet Ilia.

Discussions  with  those  who  live  there  is  an  unforgettable
experience  since  life  in  Athos  strikes  the  non-ascetic  as
strange. It is a very different world. This  theology  is  not  a
cold  academic  exercise, but a way of life. No meat is eaten and
meals are santy.  Neither  women  nor  female  animals  are  ever
present.  Men  cover their bodies completely and male animals are
castrated. Novices learn to pray with each breath; Inhaling  they
recite, 'Lord Jesus Christ', and exhaling

It's a truly beautiful and rather strange place to be.