Monastic community of Mount Athos

The monastic community living on the Mount Athos peninsula is an Eastern Orthodox community of monks living in Northern Greece. These monks live in 20 monasteries and smaller settlements, dedicating their lives to quiet, simple living far from everyday world.

The monks come from many countries, including Serbia, Romania, Moldova, Georgia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Russia, and Greece. They follow a strict, peaceful way of life, studying ancient books and creating beautiful artworks.

Mount Athos is very special because it holds many old treasures, like rare books, important documents, and priceless artworks. In 1988, it was named a World Heritage Site for its historical and cultural importance. The area is governed by its own rules, with help from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Because of its long-standing traditions, women are not allowed to enter Mount Athos.

Administration and organization

The monastic community on Mount Athos is a special area in Northern Greece where monks live. According to the constitution of Greece, this area is mostly self-governed, meaning the monks manage their own affairs, but Greece still has overall control. Anyone who joins as a monk becomes a Greek citizen automatically. Only people who follow the Eastern Orthodox beliefs are allowed to stay there.

There are 20 main monasteries that make up the Holy Community, and Karyes is where the main administrator, chosen by the Greek government, works. Even though Greece is part of the European Union, the rules on Mount Athos are different. For example, only men can enter the area.

The monasteries are managed by leaders called archimandrites, chosen by the monks to lead for life. Each monastery has its own rules, and smaller groups like sketes and hermitages are connected to one of the 20 main monasteries.

Monks on Athos become Greek citizens when they join. Visitors need special permission to enter. Most monks are Greek, but some monasteries have monks from other countries, such as Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia, each using their own languages alongside Greek.

History

The monastic community on Mount Athos has a long and rich history. Early records show that monks lived there as far back as the 8th century. Over the centuries, many important figures and leaders supported the monasteries, helping them grow and thrive.

During the Byzantine era, emperors protected the monasteries and gave them special rights. Important documents from this time show how the community was organized and governed. Later, during the Serbian era, leaders from Serbia also gave support, helping build and expand several monasteries.

When the Ottoman Empire took control, the monks adapted to new challenges, changing some of their ways to survive. Despite these changes, the monasteries continued to grow and remain important centers of learning and faith.

In more recent times, the community has faced new challenges, including debates over religious unity and changes in who can visit the area. Today, Mount Athos remains a special place for monks, with its own unique traditions and rules.

Monastic life

After a low point in 1971 with only 1,145 mainly elderly monks, the monasteries on Mount Athos have grown strongly. By 2000, the number of monks reached 1,610, and by 2009, nearly 2,000. Many of these newer monks are young and well-educated, helping to care for the mountain’s huge collection of old books, clothing, paintings for worship, and other valuable items. This important work, expected to take many years, is supported by groups like UNESCO and the EU, along with many universities.

Visitors to a monastery can join the monks in daily activities such as praying, sharing meals, working, and resting. During special religious events, longer periods of prayer are common, changing the usual schedule. The monastery gates close at sunset and open again at sunrise.

Many monasteries are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. For example, Vatopedi and Philotheou honor the Annunciation, Agiou Pavlou the Purification, Hilandar the Presentation, and Iviron the Dormition.^: 26–27 

A cell is a small house with its own little church, where 1–3 monks live under the guidance of a larger monastery. Each cell usually has some land for farming or other work to help support itself.

See also: Skete

Small groups of these cells have formed neighborhoods since the early days of monastic life on Athos. Some use the word "skete," meaning a monastic settlement, or "lavra," meaning a monastic group. The word "skete" comes from an old place in the Egyptian desert now called Scetis. The word has origins in the Coptic language.

List of religious institutions

Twenty monasteries

The monasteries on Mount Athos are important places where monks live and work. They follow a special way of life and are very important to the community.

Former monasteries

There were also monasteries in the past that are no longer active. These older monasteries were mostly located near Karyes.

Other former monasteries include Amalfinon Monastery, which was a Latin monastery, and the Monastery of Zelianos, a monastery from Bulgaria near Xenophontos Monastery and Old Rosiko.

Sketes

A skete is a place where monks live simply and quietly. They have a church where they gather, but also live in small houses nearby. There are two types of sketes on Mount Athos. One type is like a small monastery, and the other is more like a small village with a church and a few houses around it. The twelve main sketes on Mount Athos are:

Other small communities sometimes called sketes include Nea Tivaida, Little St. Anne's Skete, and the Skete of St. Basil. However, these are not officially called sketes by the leaders of Mount Athos. Former sketes include Rosiko and Chourmitsa, both of which were Russian sketes.

Settlements

The main places where people live on Mount Athos are:

• Karyes (main administrative center)
• Dafni (main port)

Other smaller places include:

• Vigla
• Agios Nilos
• Kerasia
• Karoulia
• Katounakia
• Kafsokalyvia
• Vouleftiria
• Provata
• Morfonou
• Kapsala

Law

Daily visitors to Mount Athos are limited to 100 Eastern Orthodox Christians and 10 non-Eastern Orthodox male pilgrims. All visitors need a special entrance permit called a diamonitirion from the Mount Athos Pilgrims' Bureau. This permit can be picked up in Thessaloniki and must be shown at Ouranopoli or Ierissos before taking a ferry to Mount Athos. The permit is good for three days, but a monastery can ask to extend it, or visitors can apply for an extension at Karyes. Only men can visit Mount Athos, a place called the “Garden of Virgin Mary” by the monks. People living there must be men aged 18 or older who are members of the Eastern Orthodox Church and either monks or workers.

There are two types of permits. The genikon diamonitirion, or general permit, is given by the Pilgrims' Bureau in Thessaloniki. It lets visitors stay for three nights, with a possible two-night extension at Karyes. This permit is for 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox visitors each day. The idikon diamonitirion, or individual permit, is given by a monastery itself and can last from four days to a year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, visits to Mount Athos were stopped from March 2020 to May 2021.

The monastic community does not allow women or female animals to enter Mount Athos. This rule helps the monks live in celibacy and honors the Virgin Mary, who alone represents her gender there. This ban was officially declared by emperors, including Constantine Monomachos, in 1046. Female animals like cows and sheep are not allowed, except for cats because they control mice.

As part of Greece in the European Union, Mount Athos follows most EU laws. However, the monks were worried that joining the Schengen Area might end their long-standing rule about women. The prohibition remains, and a special permit is still needed to enter. The monks also worry that EU rules might affect their tradition of offering shelter to men from Orthodox countries. Today, these monks still need a Greek visa and permission to stay, even though it is often granted.