fbpx

Mount Athos (Agion Oros)

MOUNT ATHOS (AGION OROS)

Far away from the rest of Macedonia and the whole world as well, there is a natural and spiritual paradise with a special glory and magnificence, namely the eastern peninsula of Halkidiki, Mount Athos (Agion Oros), the bay of ancient Greeks or as monks put it, the “land of Virgin Mary”. Mount Athos consists of twenty monasteries, several hermitages and places of absolute tranquility.

This is the religious community of Mount Athos, including historical monasteries, cells in caves or between the rocks, towers, domes, belfries, chants, etc. Mount Athos is a great temple having sky as a vault; it is the chief standard bearer of Orthodox Christianity.

Mount Athos covers an area of about 336 kilometers, with 112 coastal kilometers and 1550 inhabitants; it is an imposing place in the northern Aegean, surrounded by trees and bluff cliffs.

Its summit (2033 meters high) extends to the sky and approaches the clouds. When the atmosphere is clean you can view from the little church of Metamorfosi Sotiros (Transfiguration of Christ) nearly half the Aegean; the bays of Troy in the east and the summits of Olympos in the west. Some of the monks can also discern the dome of Agia Sofia springing like a flower from the earth in the East.

Today in Mount Athos there are 20 monasteries and 12 hermitages.

The twenty monasteries in hierarchical order are as follows:

  1. Megisti Lavra
  2. Vatopedion
  3. Iviron
  4. Helandarion
  5. Dionysiou
  6. Koutloumousiou
  7. Pantokrator
  8. Xiropotamou
  9. Zografou
  10. Dochiariou
  11. Karakalou
  12. Filotheou
  13. Simon Petra
  14. Agios Pavlou
  15. Stavronikita
  16. Xenofon
  17. Gregorios
  18. Esfigmenou
  19. Panteleimon (Russian monastery)
  20. Konstamonitis

The 12 hermitages are:
1. AgiaAnna
2. Agia Triada
3. Theotokos
4. Agios Dimitrios (Lakos)
5. Agios Dimitrios (Vatopedion)
6. Timios Prodromos (Layreotiki)
7. Timios Prodromos (Iviron)
8. Agios Andreas
9. Agios Panteleimon
10. Kimisis Theotokou (The Assumption)

Apart from the above-mentioned monasteries and hermitages there are also cells, hovels, monks and the so-called “askitiria”, tranquil places where the “askites” (monks) live in complete solitude.

Famous “askitiria” are Karoulia, which are hanging caves in the southern bluff cliffs of Athos, close to the sea. There, live the most discipline monks (askites) of the mountain.

Mount Athos is a live museum of history and art.

The architecture of the monasteries has the typical Byzantine monastery shape. All of them have a fort in order to be protected from invasions either by pirates or other conquerors. The buildings have cells at the top part and are built in safe places with extra walls and towers. In the middle of the building complex there is a courtyard, which includes the “katholiko” (cardinal monastery), the “trapeza” (refectory), “fiali” and chapels. The way they were built is not known yet; as a matter of fact it is related to certain traditions and legends.

The towers are high, powerful and imposing guards and sentinels protecting the other monasteries. Next to them the bell towers, the domes and the cypresses seem to be lancing the sky.

“Katholika” are the cardinal churches of the monasteries and they all have the same athonite architectural style. In particular, they have four pillars, a big central dome as well as others around them and chapels. These are three niches with double narthex, the inner narthex and the outer narthex. The dome illustrates the Pantokrator (God). The temples are made of wood or marble and they are of fine art. The pillars are made of marble too. They have nice capitals and unique paintings at the walls. Finally, the inner part of “kahtoliko” is decorated by marvelous icons, kneeling-desks, chandeliers, cressets, antechoirs, portable icons, marble inlays, etc

Close to the entrance of “katholiko”, in the courtyard of the monastery, there is “fiali”. “Fiali” is made of marble and its shape is either circular or polygonal. It has nice pillars and dome. In the middle of “fiali” there is the “anavrytirio”, from which the holy water springs.

Across the entrance of the monastery there is “trapeza” and the restaurant of the monks. It is a spacious hall with many marble or wooden tables. The pulpit is always present in “trapeza”. During the lunch or dinner the reader reads holy scripts. In some of its walls one can enjoy fine wall paintings.

Close to “trapeza” there is the kitchen, the oven and the storage rooms.

The courtyard is surrounded by tall buildings with the cells of the monks. Some of them are masterpieces of the Macedonian and Byzantine architecture. The “archontaki” (hostel) is a neat, typical place, which is built in every monastery

In every monastery there is “arsanas”, a small port, to which the monks have access via a really picturesque, but tiresome path.

“Katholiko”, “trapeza” of the monks, the numerous chapels of Mount Athos constitute the treasure of the Byzantine hagiography. In their walls, many hagiographers, such as Manuel Panselinos, Theophanis, Kris, Michael Astrapas, created eternal masterpieces of art.

For almost one thousand years Mount Athos remains the greatest, authentic Byzantine Greek cultural centre, which made known a lot of artists and accepted hagiographers from all over the world, thus offering a profound effect on painting in all Orthodox Christianity.

Apart from the paintings, numerous portable icons also constitute part of the cultural treasure of Mount Athos. Some of them are extremely old and it is believed that they have miraculous effects or that they are not made by human hand. According to fascinating

traditional legends, the Athonite icons are supposed to have first appeared in Mount Athos. Some of these icons are the following: the notorious icon of Virgin Mary “Axion Esti” in Protostaton or the icon “Portaitissa” in the Monastery of Iviros, the icon “Odigitra” (leader) in Helandarion, the icon “Koukouzelissa” in Lavra, etc. Moreover, another invaluable treasure is said to be the miniatures of the manuscripts of the Mount illustrating exceptional pictures of Holy persons and prophets.

There are also mosaics and sculptures.

Some creations of miniature art are one of their kind, made of jewels, ivory, wood, gold, etc

It is also worth-mentioning that the treasure of Mount Athos extends to other pieces of art, such as holy crosses, unique cloths of the Evangel, golden and silver chalices, holy objects, epitaphs weaved or quilted by gold, valuable vests, etc.

According to the old customs and the bill of rights, Mount Athos is a self-governed territory of the Greek state (regarding its religious aspect it is subject to the Ecumenical Patriarch). The executive authority is exercised by the four members of Holy Supervision, whereas the legislative authority is exercised by the twenty members of Holy Assembly to which all monasteries are subject. The Superior of the Holy Supervision represents the first monastery in hierarchical order and is called Protos (First) or Protoepistatis (Fist Supervisor). All members are elected in absolute democratic procedures by the monks. The political leader of Mount Athos is elected by the Greek State and is subject to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Karyes is the executive house of Mount Athos. Dafni is an area of utmost importance in Karyes

Furthermore, Mount Athos is visited only by men with a special permit, women are not allowed in.

All monasteries are communes. Monk’s life is strict, “askaetic” (live in solitude), with continual prayers and services, vigils, fasting, spiritual and manual activities. The chaplet is part and parcel of the monks; it is the medium for their meditation in counting prayers. Each bead is formed by nine crosses, which stand for the nine orders of Angels.

The monks follow the old Julian calendar and the Byzantine time (O during the sunset, apart from Ivyrians, who count the hours based on the sunrise). By the sunset all monasteries are closed. They open again when the sun rises. Before the sunrise a person in every monastery who rings the bells following a certain rhythm, thus calling his brothers in the matin. Such is the belief in God the monks in Mount Athos have, that when they hear the bells they feel the need to participate in the matin, listen to the psalms and feel overwhelmed by the unique atmosphere the candles and the icons of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary create

Each service is held with absolute zeal and devotion to God. Some people argue that they feel their soul flying away in the realm of Angels.

Each monastery has a special day of celebration, honouring in this way the name of their saint (agios). However, the most important celebration is the feast of the 15th of August, which is dedicated to Virgin Mary (15th / 28th of August with the old calendar).

During these two days all monasteries are neat and specially decorated. The bells ring calling the monks and other believers to celebrate all together. After the service all monks are offered a great meal, with fresh bread, special fish and a wine of a unique, rich flavour, which is kept in the storage rooms for this special occasion.

In order to get a broad idea of the life in Mount Athos you need to pay a lot of visits, walk down its paths, listen to the bells, the psalms, go to the cardinal monasteries, as well as the “askitiria”, the hermitages

and the caves, attend the matins and evening prayers, eat at the “trapeza”, spend time staring at the Aegean sea, have little talks with the wise, old and saint people, as well as with the young, educated monks, who decided to turn away the life most people lead and devote themselves to God. Also, you need to visit the libraries and the sacristies, so that you can get informed of their treasures, enjoy the outstanding natural beauty, the sunset and sunrise. Finally, you have to open your heart in the holy icons and live this eternal ark of Orthodox.

360°

Κ2

2001-2005   Groundfloor

2006-2010  Floor

Κ3

3001-3004  Groundfloor

3005-3008  Floor

K4

4001-4005  Groundfloor

4006-4010  Floor

Κ5

5001-5004  Groundfloor

5005-5008  Floor

Κ6

6001-6004  Groundfloor

6005-6008  Floor

Κ7

7001-7005  Groundfloor

7006-7010  Floor

Κ8

8001-8004  Groundfloor

8005-8008  Floor

Κ9

9001-9009  Groundfloor

9010-9018  Floor

Κ10

1001-1004  Groundfloor

1005-1008  Floor

Κ11

 1101-1105  Groundfloor

1106-1110  Floor

Κ12

1301-1305  Groundfloor

1306-1310  Floor

 

Κ13

1301-1305  Groundfloor

1306-1310  Floor

Κ14

1401-1411  Groundfloor

1412-1423   1st Floor

1424-1435   2nd Floor

Κ15

1501-1506  Groundfloor

1507-1512  1st Floor

1513-1518  2nd Floor

Akatos Taverna
Akatos Taverna
Pool Bar
Pool Bar
Celeste Restaurant
Celeste Restaurant
Olives
Olives
Spa Blue Dolphin
Spa Blue Dolphin
  • Κ2

    2001-2005   Groundfloor

    2006-2010  Floor

  • Κ3

    3001-3004  Groundfloor

    3005-3008  Floor

  • K4

    4001-4005  Groundfloor

    4006-4010  Floor

  • Κ5

    5001-5004  Groundfloor

    5005-5008  Floor

  • Κ6

    6001-6004  Groundfloor

    6005-6008  Floor

  • Κ7

    7001-7005  Groundfloor

    7006-7010  Floor

  • Κ8

    8001-8004  Groundfloor

    8005-8008  Floor

  • Κ9

    9001-9009  Groundfloor

    9010-9018  Floor

  • Κ10

    1001-1004  Groundfloor

    1005-1008  Floor

  • Κ11

     1101-1105  Groundfloor

    1106-1110  Floor

  • Κ12

    1301-1305  Groundfloor

    1306-1310  Floor

     

  • Κ13

    1301-1305  Groundfloor

    1306-1310  Floor

  • Κ14

    1401-1411  Groundfloor

    1412-1423   1st Floor

    1424-1435   2nd Floor

  • Κ15

    1501-1506  Groundfloor

    1507-1512  1st Floor

    1513-1518  2nd Floor

  • Akatos Taverna
    Akatos Taverna
  • Pool Bar
    Pool Bar
  • Celeste Restaurant
    Celeste Restaurant
  • Olives
    Olives
  • Spa Blue Dolphin
    Spa Blue Dolphin
BLUE DOLPHIN RESORT HOTEL ****
P.O. BOX 113 | Metamorfosi Sithonia
Halkidiki P.C. 63088 | Greece
App on google Play
App on app store
© 2013 - 2024 bluedolphinhotel.eu . Developed by Creative Days Web studio, SEO & mobile solutions

Booking & Query

Follow Us

Hotel Blue Dolphin

http://reputize.co/hotel/nyLxfTTKlThe Corporate Reputize Index™ is an aggregate score measuring the reputation of all your properties at a given point of time. It is based on data aggregated from more than 100 online sources for each of your properties. more...

Reputize Index™
Hotel Blue Dolphin
https://www.bluedolphinhotel.eu/index.php
89.1/ 100
5737 reviews
GIATA
BLUE DOLPHIN RESORT HOTEL ****

P.O. BOX 113 | Metamorfosi | Sithonia

Halkidiki T.K. 63088 | Greece

T:+30 23750 61483, +30 6978187270

info@bluedolphinhotel.eu

Fast Check-in
Weather
No Internet Connection