Mount Athos

The peninsula of Athos, officially named Mount Athos in 1045, had, according to written testimonies, numerous hermits by the year 843. This is why 963 is considered the beginning of organized monastic life, when the first monastery, Megistis Lavras, was built by Osios Athanasios. In 972, the first Tipiko (written law) was signed by Ioannis Tsimiski and the monks living in the area at that time. This Tipiko was named Tragos (goat) because it was written on the skin of a goat. It laid out the rules for communal living. In 1043, the second Tipiko was signed by Konstantinos Monomahos. This one was named Avaton, and it forbids any woman from setting foot in the Garden of the holy Virgin (a title given to the area as The Virgin is considered the Protectress). Since then, monastic life on Athos has grown swiftly, and this area has become a sanctuary for different nationalities. It is the only area where different races coexist and live together with love and respect.

Even though the region of Mount Athos belongs to and is protected by the Greek State, it is an independent and self-governed part of the country. The capital is Karies, which is located roughly in the center of the peninsula. In Karies, there are 19 konakia (cells) which accommodate the abbots of each monastery; only the one of Koutloumousiou does not have a konaki because the actual monastery is located very near the capital. Standing proudly in the center of this small village is the central church called Protato, while in the north stands the building of Sinaxis. The Governor is elected by the abbots and is named "Protos" (the first), with whom they meet in the Sinaxis to discuss all matters concerning life in the Holy Community. The central harbor of Mount Athos is Dafne (Laurel), from where one must pass in order to enter. It is roughly 5 kilometers from Karies. Today, on Mount Athos, there are 20 monasteries, of which 17 are Greek, one Russian, one Bulgarian, and one Serbian. Apart from the communal way of life, there is also the idiorrhythmic way of living. The difference between them is that in the communal way, all monks participate in all activities together (eating, sleeping, praying, etc.), while in the idiorrhythmic way of life, each monk regulates his life according to his own taste. This way of life existed up until a few years ago and was formed after raids and catastrophes forced them to hide and live on their own. However, now all the abbeys have reverted to the communal way of life. All the abbeys follow the Julian calendar (that is to say, 13 days behind) and calculate the beginning of the day with the setting of the sun, apart from the abbey of Iviron where the day begins with sunrise.

Also, on Mount Athos, there are two famous schools of painting: the Macedonian Faculty of the 11th century and the Cretan of the 16th century.

The history of Mount Athos appears in written testimonies and heirlooms, even though in the past many were destroyed by fires and pillages. Today, after coordinated efforts by both the State and monks, most of these have been recorded and restored and are now well kept and preserved under scientifically checked conditions in the monasteries.