Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Greece (the so-called "eastern finger" of the Halkidiki peninsula). It is here that the largest centre of Orthodox monasticism, the "Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain", which occupies almost the entire Athos peninsula, is located. The Holy Mountain is home to twenty stauropegial Orthodox monasteries under the direct ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Athonite monks also refer to the Holy Mountain as the "inheritance" and "garden of the Virgin Mary".
The Athos Peninsula (also known in antiquity as "Akti", which means "cliff" in Greek) has been inhabited since ancient times. Unfortunately, there are very few historical documents about ancient Athos. It is believed that the formation of the monastic community on Mount Athos took place at the end of the 7th century, although based on a number of sources we can confidently assert that Athos was a monastery of monks in the 3-4th centuries. The real flowering of Orthodox Athos began at the end of the 9th century, after the Byzantine Emperor Basil I of Macedonia proclaimed Athos exclusively a monastery of monks. Officially, the name "Holy Mountain" was fixed for Athos in the 12th century.
The largest and most famous holy monastery of Athos is the Great Lavra Monastery, built back in 963 by St Athanasius of Athos. The main holy relics of the Great Lavra are the cross and staff of St Athanasius, two miracle-working icons - "Economissa" and "Kukuzelissa", parts of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, as well as relics of St Basil the Great, St Andrew the First-Called, St Ephrem the Syrian, etc.
Second in the hierarchy of Athonite monasteries is the Vatoped Monastery, dating back to the end of the 10th century. Among its most valuable relics are parts of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord, an honest girdle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, relics of St Gregory the Theologian, St Andrew of Crete, the Apostle Bartholomew, the Great Martyr Panteleimon and the miracle-working icons "Joy" and "Vsetsaritsa".
The Iversky Monastery (founded in the 980s and is the third in the hierarchy of Athonite monasteries) is known for its many holy relics and the miracle-working icon "Vratarnitsa" (venerated since the IX century). The Pantokrator Monastery houses one of the most venerated miracle-working Athonite icons of the Virgin Gerontissa, and the catholicon of the Stavronikita Monastery houses a mosaic icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker found at sea. However, all Athonite monasteries without exception possess one or another truly unique and priceless relics. No less interesting and architectural solutions.
Famous for the monasteries of the Holy Mountain and excellent libraries, which store many unique ancient manuscripts in different languages, important historical documents and a huge number of printed publications, among which a lot of rare editions.
It is worth considering that access to the Holy Land is strictly regulated, and women and categorically forbidden. Men, however, to visit the Holy Mountain must obtain a special permit. However, many of the monasteries are visible from the sea, so you can see them, as well as admire the incredibly picturesque peninsula by taking a fascinating boat trip along its shores.
