Mount Athos is a blessed place that combines the virtues of spiritual life and the beauty of the sensible, material world. Therein lies the center of Orthodox monasticism. Mount Athos is an "Autonomous Monastic State" within Greece, (perhaps unique in the world, with the exception of the secular Lhasa of Tibet). It is a self-governing part of the Greek State, located on the peninsula of Athos, Halkidiki, Macedonia.

It includes twenty sacred monasteries and other monastic institutions and is unofficially designated as an "Autonomous Monastic State".

Since 1988 it has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites.

It is considered one of the most important parts of Europe and the Eastern Church because of its great national, historical, religious, secretarial and cultural value, and even as a center for the preservation and preservation of rich material, so as to be a "refuge" and a "museum" of unique treasure. of Greek art and letters.

The Monastic institutions of Mount Athos are divided into six classes: the Holy Monasteries, the Skites, the Cells, the Huts, the Seats and the Resting Houses. Mount Athos consists of twenty sacred, sovereign, royal, patriarchal and Crusader monasteries.

In the Athos peninsula, according to the old Byzantine class, women were not allowed to enter. This restriction has a spiritual basis in the virginity of the monks and the dedication of Mount Athos to Our Lady. It is called 'uncivilized' and has been in force since the beginning of the constitution of a particular state.

Source: https://mountathos-eshop.com