Mount Athos: A visit to the Holy Mountain
Tonight – for Christmas – we’re going to take you to a place outside our world. It’s not Mars or Venus but it might as well be. It’s a remote peninsula in northern Greece that millions believe to be the most sacred spot on Earth. It’s called Mount Athos and prayers have been offered here every day, with no interruption, for more than a thousand years. It was set aside by ancient emperors to be the spiritual capitol of Orthodox Christianity and has probably changed less over the centuries than any other inhabited place on the planet.
The monks come here from all over and do everything they can to keep what they call “the world” far away. Not surprisingly, journalists are not exactly welcome. For more than two years, we corresponded, negotiated and, frankly, pleaded for an invitation but ran into one monastic wall after another. Then, as we first told you last spring, much to our surprise, and delight, the monks finally said, ‘Okay, come see who we are.’
This Byzantine cross marks the border between Mount Athos and the 21st century. The monks come here as they always have for the beauty, the tranquility, and the isolation.
Father Iakovos is one of a few Americans on the mountain. He’s been here more than half his life.
Father Iakavos: You have to understand, the words that we’re saying in today’s liturgy, are the same words that Christ was saying, are the same words that saints from the first century, the second century, the third century, the fourth century.
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What a beautifully quiet and serene place Mt. Athos appears to be. I wonder though if it truly is as it appears? Is it really possible to block out the rest of the troubled world that surrounds Athos? Will constant prayer for Christ's mercy actually bring you closer to God, or does it just feel that way? Is it more courageous to retreat to Athos or to remain and spread the Word to the remaining world? Would Jesus have wanted all of us to be like the Monks at Mt. Athos, or were we all chosen to be who we are and where we are by Divine appointment? Will the Monks at Mt. Athos be in the end, nearer to God? I guess only God knows the answers to these questions. I myself prefer to believe that Jesus' message to His followers was to spread the word of salvation to the lost, not retreat to a mountain and isolate oneself from those who Jesus places along our daily path, so that we might at the very least, plant the seeds of life everlasting through salvation in Jesus Christ.
-SargeE5There are many different ways to honor God. Some ways we can understand, some we may not understand. Even in a Church, persons act differently. As long as we do our best to love God and our neighbor, we try to reach Heaven.
-Tout