Athos
Take a leap back in time
Mount Athos is a self-governing part of the Greek State, located on the peninsula of Mount Athos in Halkidiki in Macedonia. It includes twenty Sacred Monasteries and other monastic foundations and is unofficially described as an “Autonomous Monastic State”. Mount Athos stands as a beacon of spiritual devotion and monasticism.
The monasteries on the Holy Mountain follow the strictest form of Orthodox monasticism, known as hesychasm, which emphasizes silence, stillness, and inner prayer.
Visitors to Mount Athos are strictly regulated, with only men allowed to enter the monasteries and limited numbers allowed each day. The permit application process requires a valid reason for visiting, such as religious pilgrimage, academic research, or official business. Dress modestly, with long pants and covered shoulders, when visiting the monasteries.
The experience can be a transformative one, as the spiritual energy and dedication of the monks are palpable.
As a center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the mountain has enjoyed autonomy since medieval times through treaty arrangements with the guarantee of protection and freedom under the local rule.
Hiking trails wind through the mountain’s interior, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding sea and the mainland.
Would you like some tips for your trip to Mount Athos?
Mount Athos is about 50 km long, 8 to 12 km wide and covers about 350 square kilometers. Since 1988, it has been listed as a World Heritage Monument.
Athos at a glance
The Holy Mount Athos (Agion Oros) is the only Monk Republic in the world. Athos is inhabited solely by monks who still keep their religious traditional life since the Byzantine period which ended in the year 1453.
It is a place allowed only for men since it was decreed that “no smooth-faced person” is permitted to violate its sanctity. It is an exclusive domain only of monks and hermits. The Holy State embarks on its mountainous hills many impressive monasteries, complemented by beautiful natural landscapes.
Mount Athos is a place of continuous devotion to the Orthodox religion with nowadays 20 monasteries and approximately 1.700 monks. Access to Mount Athos is from Ouranoupolis (City of Heaven).
How to get to Mount Athos
A fair bit of advance preparation and battling with bureaucracy is necessary to visit Mount Athos, since only 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox visitors per day are permitted.
- A permit (diamonitirion) is required for both individuals and groups. This is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Churches (at No 2, Zalokosta Street, in Athens, tel: 210 3626 894) or by the Ministry of Northern Greece, Directorate of Civil Affairs at Diikitiriou Square in Thessaloniki, tel. 2310 270.092.
- Women are not admitted into the territory.
- Overnight stay is forbidden to those under 18.
Diamonitiria (permits to stay as a pilgrim) are issued by the offices of Mount Athos, at Ouranoupolis (on the right side of the port). In order to get their diamonitirion visitors must show their identity cards and pay the sum of €18 (Orthodox visitors), €30 (non-Orthodox) or €10 (non-Orthodox but student). Foreign visitors also need a passport; if you are Orthodox but not Greek, you will need to prove this (a letter from a priest or a baptismal certificate will do).
First contact the Pilgrims’ Bureau (address below). They may need plenty of notice of your proposed visit – up to six months if you plan to visit during the summer months of June, July, and August when the monasteries are full to over-flowing with Greek and Orthodox pilgrims, but as little as a few days outside the peak season.
Contact:
The Holy Executive of the Holy Mount Athos Pilgrims’ Bureau
109 EGNATIA STR.
546 22, Thessaloniki, Greece
Tel. +30 2310 252578, Fax +30 2310 222424
Once you have gained permission from the Pilgrims’ Bureau you must contact each monastery where you plan to stay. Without their consent you will be turned away. A good site for further details of monasteries and how to contact each one by phone or fax is here.
“ More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.“
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Get Around
The monasteries on Mount Athos can be reached only by ferry, either from Ouranoupolis (for west coast monasteries) or from Ierissos for those on the east coast. Many visitors arrive at the port of Dafni (Daphne), from where they continue by bus to the “capital” Karyes. Smaller boats, people carriers and taxis ferry pilgrims from monastery to monastery. Boat schedules.
There are also sightseeing boats that do tours around the peninsula without landing; these require no permits, and are the only option for women who want to get a glimpse of Mount Athos.
It is possible to walk from monastery to monastery. The longest walk is from Agia Anna to Great Lavra (six to seven hours). Many of the ancient footpaths are still clear but from time to time it will be necessary to walk on the roads.
The treasures to be found in all the monasteries of the mountain are invaluable. Apart from the historical and artistic interest of the monasteries, visitors will find themselves in a spiritual inspiring environment.
Pilgrims must be well prepared, act modestly at all times, respect the codes of the land, check that accommodation is available ahead of time and organize their transport.
Athos Mythology
According to mythology the name, Athos belonged to a Thracian giant. In the conflict between gods and giants, Athos threw a huge stone mass against God Poseidon, but escaped from his hands and fell into the sea forming the piece of land that is today the Mount Athos. Another version says that Poseidon was the one who dropped the rock against Athon. The rock plunged Athon and buried him beneath. This rock also created Mount Athos. Until the 3rd c. there were many small Greek cities on the peninsula of Athos. Later, for reasons unknown, these cities were ruined or destroyed, leaving the place desolate for several centuries.
Athos Character
One of the traditions says that Virgin Mary escaped her course when she was trying to sail to Cyprus and arrived at Mount Athos, at the harbor where the monastery of Iveron is today. Then the voice of the Lord was heard, saying, “Let this place be your lot, and paradise, and salvation to the wilderness.” Since then, the Holy Mountain is considered a clergy and orchard of the Virgin Mary. From the 5th c. Century human beings began to appear in the area when the first monks, who were disappointed with the everyday life of society, found this beautiful and desolate place ideal to worship God better.
What is monasticism?
Everyone is called upon to serve God in many different ways. Monasticism is a special call, a special way for a man to serve God and mankind. Every man has a “gift of grace”, as Apostle Paul says. The call to become a monk. God, Himself speaks directly to the future monk or nun (with signs, clues, or internal interpretations), or through his Spirit. Monasticism is one of the ways for a man to reach the “Divine”. This is done in isolation, prayer, exercise, obedience to the Elder, and fasting.
Prayer
Prayer is the right, duty, and assistance of every believer. For the monk, prayer is the reason for his existence in life, and in the world. There are various forms of prayer, for different circumstances and needs. The “Prayer of Jesus”, which the monks say in Mount Athos consists of the words: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, praise the sinner.” It is also called “Heart of Prayer”.
athos mountain
Mount Athos Visiting Rules
The monasteries open their gates at sunrise and close them again at sunset.
The visitor pilgrims are accommodated in cellars and recognize the daily routine of the monastery by knocking on the traditional wooden plate. The stay in each monastery is only one day. If you want to stay longer in a monastery, you must obtain permission from the abbot of the monastery.
You are not allowed to take your boat to Mount Athos. Entry is only from Ouranoupolis or Ierissos.
On the Athos, you should always carry the Diamonitirion with you as the monks usually want to see it before they admit them to the monastery.
Both mobile phones and mountaineering equipment are allowed in Mount Athos. In all monasteries, there is a card phone, a pharmacy and a doctor’s office. Women are prohibited from entering Mount Athos and visitors’ clothing must be decent.
Smoking and bringing television and radio sets are prohibited inside the monasteries. Photo and video recordings are not allowed inside the monasteries. The video is prohibited on the entire peninsula of Mount Athos.
What to bring on the Athos
- Diamonitirion
- ID card
- Walking shoes or sturdy shoes
- slippers
- Long sleeves and long pants only
- Warm underwear in winter
- underwear
- Towels
- Zewa + toilet paper – moist toilet paper/toiletries
- Sweets
- effervescent tablets
- Diarrhea headache tablets
- Heartburn toothache tablets
- book
- Flashlight / lighter / matches
- Emergency phone numbers
- Camera and spare batteries
- Mobile phone/charging cable for your mobile phone (12/200 volt)
- small mirror
- Possibly. dictionary
- Possibly. 2 pillowcases
- Possibly. Socks or black underwear as a gift for the monks
How and where to get your Permit for Mount Athos
To visit Mount Athos with its monasteries you have to have a Diamonitirion – Permit. The Diamonitirion will only be handed over personally to the pilgrims in Ouranoupolis by the local police, upon presentation of their ID and payment of € 35. A prerequisite for non-Orthodox is the written application in the office for entry of the Athos monastic republic in Thessaloniki Egnatia 109 54635 Thessaloniki (can be submitted in Greek and English). After applying, the employees of the office decide whether the requested entry dates (maximum 4 days stay) are possible, since only a maximum of 12 people of non-Orthodox faith may visit the monastic republic every day! You can also call the office in advance – Tel. From Germany 0030 – 2310 – 252578 – at the following times: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., and compare your data with the staff (possible in English and Greek).
