Things To Know About Mount Athos: 1,500 Monks, No Women

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Christian Orthodox believers know Greece's heavily-forested northern peninsula of Mount Athos as the "Orchard of the Virgin Mary," but women have been strictly barred from entering it for more than a thousand years. Located a few kilometers (miles) away from busy seaside resorts in Greece's Halkidiki region, access is only allowed by sea, in tiny ferries for those carrying a permit to visit a specific monastery. Byzantine emperors in Constantinople — whose Patriarch still leads the Mount Athos community on religious matters — encouraged the settlement, heaping treasures, protection and privileges on the monasteries. Even Greece's European Union membership status contains provisions for Mount Athos to retain its special status. The EU has contributed substantial funds for the conservation and restoration of its buildings and their treasures, which include centuries-old wall-paintings and icons, manuscripts and religious artifacts. Rumored breaches include one by refugees fleeing Nazi occupation forces, and a woman dressed as a man was caught shortly after World War II.

BING NEWS:
  • Ten of Greece’s Most Spectacular Monasteries
    One thing you want to be sure to add to your itinerary is visiting the ancient Greek monasteries. Here are the top 10 monasteries in Greece.
    04/17/2024 - 9:17 pm | View Link
  • Places With the Weirdest Dress Codes That Tourists Actually Have to Follow
    It's no secret that going on an adventure means encountering different traditions and customs. But, what if you have to be a part of those rules? Of course, as a responsible tourist, your goal should ...
    04/17/2024 - 4:30 am | View Link
  • Mount Athos and Mary
    Father Johann G. Roten, S.M. The monks’ republic situated on the peninsula of Mount Athos in the north-western region of Greece was founded in 963 and is home to twenty monasteries with Orthodox monks ...
    03/16/2024 - 2:20 pm | View Link
  • Christodoulides visits Mount Athos
    The Mount Athos monastery is known as the Virgin Mary ... On Thursday, Christodoulides will be welcomed by a group of monks at the monastery, including the monastery leader Stefanos Chilandrarinos.
    03/13/2024 - 5:44 am | View Link
  • Mount Athos
    The Greek authorities point out that Mt. Athos is an autonomous region within Greece and removal of timber from the forests by monks resident in Mt. Athos is permitted under a law gazetted in 24 ...
    05/1/2018 - 6:46 pm | View Link
  • More

 

Welcome to Wopular!

Welcome to Wopular

Wopular is an online newspaper rack, giving you a summary view of the top headlines from the top news sites.

Senh Duong (Founder)
Wopular, MWB, RottenTomatoes

Subscribe to Wopular's RSS Fan Wopular on Facebook Follow Wopular on Twitter Follow Wopular on Google Plus

MoviesWithButter : Our Sister Site

More Living News