Founding of Mount Athos: What Happened
In 963 AD, the monk Athanasios the Athonite founded the Great Lavra, the first large organized monastery on Mount Athos, the mountainous peninsula in northern Greece. Hermits had lived on Athos for some time before this, but Athanasios's monastery established a new model of communal monastic life, with shared prayer, meals and work under an abbot. He was supported by his friend, the general and later emperor Nikephoros II Phokas, who provided money for the building. The emperor John I Tzimiskes later issued the first charter regulating life on the mountain, around 972. Other monasteries soon followed, founded by Greeks, Georgians, Serbs, Russians, Bulgarians and others, and Athos became the spiritual heart of Orthodox Christianity. Its monasteries collected priceless libraries, manuscripts, icons and relics. Athos still has twenty ruling monasteries and around 2,000 monks today. It is a self-governing monastic state within Greece and, by long tradition, women are not allowed to enter. Male visitors need a special permit. Mount Athos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the first monastery on Mount Athos founded?
The Great Lavra, the first large organized monastery on Mount Athos, was founded in 963 AD by the monk Athanasios the Athonite, with support from Nikephoros Phokas.
How many monasteries are on Mount Athos?
Mount Athos has twenty ruling monasteries today, along with many smaller sketes and hermitages, home to around 2,000 monks.
Can women visit Mount Athos?
No. By long tradition, women are not allowed to enter Mount Athos. Women can view the monasteries from boat cruises along the coast.
How can men visit Mount Athos?
Male visitors need a special permit called a diamonitirion, issued by the Mount Athos Pilgrims' Bureau. Access is by boat from Ouranoupoli.
Why is Mount Athos important?
Mount Athos is the spiritual heart of Orthodox Christianity, a self-governing monastic state within Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with priceless libraries and icons.
