Athos Peninsula

Athos Peninsula:

the eastern peninsula of Halkidiki, between Siggitikos and Strymonikos bay. She became known worldwide from the uniqueness of the monastic state that exists in this place more than 1000 years. Mount Athos, the Garden of the Virgin, as said Constantine, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and applies avaton, strictly prohibit access to women. Is the self-governed, independent state and under the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Its inhabitants, Orthodox monks are scattered in 20 coenobitic the vast majority or peculiar monasteries in 9 cloisters, in cells and hermitages. certainly stay with them and secular, employees or workers and visitors, after taking required by the Holy Supervision license (diamonitirio). Besides their main occupation, prayer, the monks engaged in gardening, agriculture (oil, hazelnuts), the timber (chestnut) and some with painting and woodcarving.

The history of Mount Athos is great. In 866 AD It built the first monastic center of Great Lavra and the 962 was the great Basilica monastery of Great Lavra of Saint Athanasios the Athonite. The 980 was Iviron, Vatopedi after the Philotheou and later other and the cloisters and cells. His reputation quickly spread and soon numbered several thousand monks, a phenomenon unique to this day and shelter all who sought redemption by fasting and prayer.