Mon, Apr 20, 2020
Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in northeastern Greece and an important centre of Eastern Orthodox monasticism. It is governed as an autonomous polity within the Greek Republic. Mount Athos is home to 20 monasteries under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. According to the written rules of Mt Athos, it's forbidden for women to enter by any means or stay anywhere in the monastic state. This prohibition is called Αvaton in Greek. Ant breach of the rule is a punishable offence, because Mt Athos is dedicated to one woman whom all the monks honor and pray to, the Blessed Mary.
Even though women are not allowed inside Mount Athos, all visitors (men and women) can admire the magnificent monasteries by cruising along the west coast of Athos peninsula. Daily Boat Cruises, depart from Ouranoupoli (East Coast) and Ormos Panagias (Sithonia).
The natural location of the peninsula is admirable. The Athonite monasteries feature a rich collection of well-preserved artifacts, rare books, ancient documents, and artworks of immense historical value, and Mount Athos has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1988. The trips begin from ports of Ormos Panagias or Ouranoupoli. The first monastery that you will meet is the monastery of Saint Paul. Then the boat continue sailing north, along the western coasts, admiring 8 more monasteries of significant and extraordinary beauty, till you reach the monastery borders, that separate Mount Athos from the outside world. The cruise give to the guests an opportunity to learn about the history and architecture of Athos, where the wonder-working and famous to the Russians miraculous icons of the Mother of God "Worthy is," "Merciful", "Slain," "Iberian", "Mammal", "Otrada and Solace", " Shortly-Eater "," Konevskaya "and" Troeruchnitsa ".