The monasteries on Mount Athos

On the north-east of Greece, in the eastern part of the peninsula of Halkidiki is Mount Athos, a country of monasteries and monks for over 1,000 years. Women's entrance to Mount Athos has long been banned, men are not Orthodox confession are allowed (diamonitrion) to visit the Holy Mountain only after long preparation and only 4 days. With diamonitrionom can free to spend the night in any monastery. Normally monks are treated pilgrims with water, ouzo (an alcoholic beverage) and sweets. The daily routine in the monasteries is very strict. At 3 o'clock in the morning bell ringing wakes monks and pilgrims for the first service. Food does not attach znacheniya- monks eat quickly, and only 2 times a day. During the meal, talking strictly prohibited. In the evening, visitors to the monastery is enough time to meet other guests. Some of them puteshetvuyut out of curiosity. Other pilgrimages for spiritual development, and hope for the healing of diseases. But everyone believes in one visit to the Holy Mountain, cleans and gives new strength ...

32 photos





2. Caries town, the center of Athos. On the Holy Mountain is located 20 Orthodox monasteries, which live about 2000 monks.



3. The pilgrims on their way to Mount Athos. The ferry connects the Holy Mountain to the nearby town Uranopopolisom.



4. It looks diamonitrion, permission to visit the monasteries.



5. Panteleimon Monastery. Russian monastery on Mount Athos. Built in the X century, passed Russian monks in the XII century.



6. ...



7 ...



8. The monastery Simonopetra. It was founded in 1257. The monastery was built on a cliff with a height of 280 m.



9.



10. Iver Monastery or Iviron Monastery, founded in 980-983 by the Georgians.



11 ...



12. Monastery of St. Athanasius, or Great Lavra. Founded in 963



13. "Red Church" the Great Lavra.



14. Dionysiou. Founded in 1375



15. Kutlumus. Founded at the end of the XIII century.



16. Hilandar. Built by the Serbs in 1198. In 2004, the monastery broke out a big fire, the cause of kotorgo unknown until today. In the photo Monastery before the fire.



17. Vatopedi Monastery Vatopedi or. Founded in 972



18 ...



19. Pantocrator (Almighty). Osnovan in 1363



20 ...



21. Xeropotamou Monastery. Founded in the X century.



22. Zograf Bulgarian Monastery. Founded in the X century.



23. Docheiariou. Founded in the X century.



24. Caracal. Founded at the end of X century.



25. Filofei. It was founded in 990 on the photo-belfry.



26. Monastery of St. Paul. Founded in the X century.



27. Stavronikita. Founded in 1541



28. Xenophon. Founded in the XI century.



29. New Church Xenophon.



30. Gregoriou. Founded in 1345



31. Esphigmenou. Founded in the XI century.



32. Konstamonitou. Founded in the XI century.



Source: ">