Travels, Directions
Where is Mount Athos (mountain)? Holy Mountain: description, height. How to get there? Monasteries of Athos
In this article we will tell about one of the most amazing and beautiful places on the globe. Do you know which country the Mount Athos is in? What is it famous for? Who is it? We will try to answer these and many other questions now.
Location:
Now let's see where Mount Athos is on the map. On the northern coast of the Aegean Sea, in Greece, is a peninsula of unusual shape, reminiscent of a hand with three fingers. This is Halkidiki. His most eastern "finger", which stretches for more than sixty kilometers, is Athos. From the east it is washed by the waters of the deep-water bay of Ierisu. In the west, the blue-blue waters of Singhtikos Bay are borne. In the north is the isthmus of Xerxes, and next to it is the famous town of Ouranopolis. Through it, pilgrims pass by, who are interested in Mount Athos (Greece). Its height is 2033 meters.
How to get there?
It is located in such a way that you can get to it only by sea, by purchasing a ticket for the ship, following to the bay of Daphnia, where the port is located. From here along the highway you should drive to Kareia (this is the administrative center of the monastic republic). Since storms here occur quite often, pilgrims who know where Mount Athos (mountain) is located, often choose a shorter route here - through Ouranopolis. And now let's move to the most interesting - the history of this place.
History of Mount Athos
Since ancient times the peninsula of Athos was inhabited by Greek tribes. Through it passed all the main sea routes that connected Greece with the East.
Documentary evidence of the existence of small towns on the peninsula (which appeared 1000 years before Christ's Nativity) is preserved. In the works of the great historians of antiquity (Thucydides and Herodotus) the names of some of them are mentioned, such as Olofixos, Fissos, Cleone, Dion, Apollonia, Acroaphos. The exact location of these settlements has not yet been established.
When the first ascetics arrived on Athos, the cities that used to be in their prime (the population was 10,000 people) were emptied.
Athos - holy mountain
From the moment of the birth of monasticism, the brethren quite often settled in the mountains and through sacred activities called these places holy. They were in Egypt, Palestine, Asia Minor, Syria. Most of them remained either a few monasteries, in which there are a few monks, or ruins of buildings, which testify to the former greatness of these places.
Monasticism on Athos
An ancient church tradition says that on Athos Christianity began to preach the Mother of God itself, which took this place under its protection.
Now it is difficult to say when the first monks appeared on Mount Athos. Researchers believe that in the forests of the peninsula, the first Christians sheltered from persecutions. The barbarous raids of the enemy, constant persecution destroyed virtually all documents that could shed light on the initial stage of life of the monastic republic. Partly fill this vacuum numerous legends. Naturally, they can not serve as a serious proof for scientists. Nevertheless, many researchers believe that the first monks of the holy mountain (Athos was just such a place) appeared in the times of Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine.
If you believe the legend, Constantine the Great conceived to build a new capital of the Roman Empire on the Athos peninsula. Work was already underway to compile town planning plans, when Mark came to the emperor-the bishop of this district. He told Constantine that this place was chosen by the Mother of God herself. The pious emperor refused his invention, in addition, he built on Mount Athos three magnificent temples in honor of the Virgin near the settlements, on the site of which today are the Vatopedi and Iberian monasteries, Kareia. Later, they were destroyed by Julian the Apostate.
Constantine sent the inhabitants of Athos to the Peloponnese Peninsula. There is another version that the resettlement was later carried out by Emperor Pogonat.
"Women are not allowed entry!"
This is the main ban that has been in effect in the monastic republic since 422 years. It was at this time that the daughter of Emperor Theodosius wanted to enter the monastery of Vatoped, but she was stopped by a voice that came from the icon of the Mother of God. From that moment on, no woman was on the mountain.
In the 7th century, after the conquest of Palestine, Syria and Egypt by Muslim Arabs, the monks had to leave these lands. Most of them moved to Athos. They also found shelter and monks, who were persecuted by the iconoclastic emperors.
Since IX century this place has become one of the main monastic centers of the East. The monks of Mount Athos took an active part in the work of the Seventeenth Ecumenical Council. At this time Athonite monasticism had already three forms of existence - the skete, cine (hostel), the hermit.
At first the monks lived next to the laity, but by the ninth century the last farmers and shepherds left the peninsula. In 883, Emperor Basil I issued a decree, which approved the peninsula as the residence of only monks. It should be noted that Athos (the holy mountain) lives by the rules, which have never changed, up to our time.
The Monk Athanasius
This man laid the foundations of monasticism on Athos. St. Athanasius was distinguished not only by piety, but also by numerous virtues, but also by the outstanding abilities of the organizer. The Great Lavra under his leadership became an exemplary monastery, in its likeness, dozens of monasteries were later organized.
Young men from all over the world, learning where Mount Athos (mountain) is, went to St. Athanasius, wishing to receive spiritual instruction. Here came and commoners, and representatives of noble families. At the funeral of St. Athanasius, 2,500 Athos monks came.
Golden Age of Athos
This period refers to the XIV century. The holy mountain began to bear spiritual fruit, its glory spread throughout Christianity throughout the world.
Athos became the center of the hesychast revival. This current developed in two directions: in hermitage and monasticism.
At this time the sketes of John the Baptist and St. Anne appear.
Holy mountain in the XX century
From 1910 to 1971 on Mount Athos the number of people from ten thousand to one thousand two hundred people decreased significantly, and their age averaged 55 years. Many researchers believed that the end of Athos was approaching, projects were being made to turn this holy place into a huge tourist center with a museum complex. Elders and devotees could not find young followers, there was a threat of ending the millennial tradition, which was passed on from generation to generation. Enormous monasteries and monasteries were depopulated and began to deteriorate.
But unexpectedly, even for the optimists, the unforeseen happened - Mount Athos began to revive. Today the number of monks exceeds 1800 people.
Life of a Monastic Republic
Along the peninsula, where Mount Athos (mountain), on the cliffs built twenty ancient monasteries, which are very reminiscent of medieval castles. Each pilgrim is struck by their beauty and grandeur. In addition, there are twelve monasteries on the territory of Athos, a large number of cells, huts and hermitage.
The charter of the monastic republic forbids the foundation of new monasteries. Its territory is divided into regions. Each of them belongs to one of the monasteries.
This division is determined not only by property privileges, but also by legal obligations. Every year, representatives of four monasteries form the law of the executive power of Athos. Every year they elect a representative who is a member of the supreme self-government body (Holy Cinema) of the monastic republic.
On the holy mountain in its original form preserved the rules of dormitory and hermitage. Pilgrimage to monasteries and monasteries can fill the heart with light and joy.
Monasteries of Athos
Today there are twenty monasteries on this earth. Although the charter does not imply an increase in their number, it is permissible, if necessary, to create new monasteries and cells.
Monasteries on Athos differ in a hierarchical system, determined not by the size of the temple or its wealth, but by the degree of influence and the time of its foundation.
Monastery of Great Laura
This is the oldest structure on Athos. It is also called Lavra of St. Athanasius. The foundation of the monastery is attributed to the year 963. It was organized by Saint Athanasius. The most valuable relic of the monastery is the ancient manuscript, which lists the names of the first monks, as well as the handwritten Gospel, in the golden setting, the personal cross of St. Athanasius.
Monastery of Vatoped
This monastery is by the sea. From its treasures it is necessary to note the belt with the icons of the Virgin, the miraculous among which are the Elenotivaya, the Ktitor, the Sacred. In the library of the monastery there are about two thousand manuscripts and more than 35 thousand documents.
Monastery Zograf
Another ancient monastery of Mount Athos. According to legend, it was founded by three Bulgarian brothers, descendants of the royal family. In 1873, in the courtyard of the monastery, a monument was erected on the site where 26 monks met painfully to death, burned alive by the Latins in 1276.
The monastery of St. Paul
We can not but say a few words about the monastery of St. Paul, which is located in the southeast of Athos. After the Turkish repressions in the beginning of the XIX century, the inhabitants left the monastery and returned to it thanks to the help of the Russian tsars. The monastery was erected in the 10th century. He suffered badly during the fire of 1902.
The monastery of St. Panteleimon
The monastery has one more name - "Russik". He appeared on Athos in the beginning of the XI century, when the first Russian monks came here. In the XIX century it numbered more than 1000 inhabitants. In this territory the relics of St. Panteleimon. In the richest library of the monastery, two thousand manuscripts and more than 20,000 Greek, Russian-language and Slavonic books were preserved.
The most revered on Mount Athos icons with the image of Our Lady are Portaitissa (Goalkeeper) and Gerontissa (Staritsa). They can worship at the monasteries of Iviron and Pantokrator. Mount Athos lives as if out of time. She does not tempt the temptations of the sinful life of the laity.
Now you know where is Mount Athos - a mysterious and beautiful mountain. If you have the opportunity, be sure to visit this amazing place.
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