Evening star., 1934-03-03
OLD M0NASTER|ES
TOPIC Of LECTURE
Geographic Society Told
Charm Along Greek Coast
by Macdonald.

Ancient and picturesque monas-
teries situated on rocky islands rising
out of the blue Aegean Sea along the
coast of Greece were described to
the National Geographic Society at
Constitution Hall last evening by By
ron D. Macdonald, traveller and lee
turer.
Last Summer Mr. Macdonald sailed
the Aegean in a dhow. stopping at
many of the islands and at interest
ing spots on the mainland.
He said the continued use Of the
historic Corinth Canal is threatened
by severe earthquakes which have
closed it in recent years. Last year
it could not be used for more than
four months.
The lecturer visited Patmos and
other islands, where he took motion
pictures and still photographs of life
in the Greek Orthodox monasteries.
Some of these places had never been
photographed, and once Mr. Mac
Donald was advised by authorities 1t
would be best for him to leave. since
the monks, jealous of their monastic
customs and feeling that their pic
lures would be shown in theaters.
were planning to seize and destroy
his films.
Some Strange Structures.
Strange structures were some OF the
monasteries. Mr.. Macdonald said
Many Of them are perched high up
on precipitouS cliffs. Because Land
for their construction is limited. many
have balconies built at openings Of
upper stories to give more room. Some
of the monks merely exc out an eX-
istence from small farms, while 9TH
ers appear prosperous. The latter
carve crosses and panels out of wood
paint religious pictures and tend large
vineyards. Mr.. Macdonald showed a
monastery wine-making establish
ment where the monks pressed grapes
in huge vat with their feet. At
most of the monasteries. he said, Wis
itors are served with a strong. dis
titled grapejuice and sweet meats be-
fore they begin their tour of the es-
tablishments
Mr. Macdonald was at Mount Athos
during the Greek earthquake that
of damage last year. He said some
of the monasteries probably will never
be occupied again. while others will
not be safe habitations until extensive
improvements are made. Falling stones
in this region frequently threatened
to destroy his cameras. Once, he said.
his tripod was struck. throwing his
camera to the ground, but fortunately
his films were not damaged.
Greek Cathedral Mecca.
At Tenos Island he photographed
Greek Orthodox cathedral which is
a mecca for inhabitants of the neigh
boring islands who literally flock here
at all times of the year. Some pilgrims
remain for several years in the hope
of reviving good health. On the an
niversary of the birth of the mother
of Jesus, he said, the island is
thronged. Whole families come and
live for days wherever they can find
a nook where they can rest and pre-
pare their meals on tiny braziers
which they bring with them.
1t is a favorite sport on scme islands
to catch octopuses. In a small boat
with a torch extending over its bow,
fishermen go out into the Aegean at
night to spear the creatures in 20 feet
of water. When the catch is brought
to shore men and boys pound the
ugly mollusks until they are dead and
ready for the cook pot.
Mr.. Macdonald also described and
illustrated such interesting Aegean
scenes as the ancient sarcophagi at
Lycia; the ruins of gigantic buildings
of pre-Roman times on Aegina Island,
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at
Athens, the marble dam at Marathon
and the Aegean fisherman who lassoes
fish with a net.