On our last day in Greece, we booked a boat trip around the Mount Athos a.k.a. "the Holy Mountain", which is home to 20 stavropegial Eastern Orthodox monasteries under the direct jurisdiction of the patriarch of Constantinople. There is a prohibition on entry for women, called avaton (Άβατον) in Greek, to make living in celibacy easier for those who have chosen to do so.
Since I'm from Bulgaria, it was an interesting fact that in the 14th century, Serbian Emperor Dušan the Mighty brought his wife, Helena of Bulgaria,
to Mount Athos to protect her from the plague, but she did not touch
the ground during her entire visit, as she was carried in the hand carriage all the time.
Visits to the peninsula are possible for laymen (not women), but they need a special permission.
Osiou Grigoriou (Gregory's) monastery,
dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
St. Panteleimon (Pantaleon's) Monastery is a Russian Orthodox monastery.
Simonopetra Monastery , also Monastery of Simonos Petra
The original monastery was called by Simon "New Bethlehem" and is to this day dedicated to the Nativity of Jesus.
Agiou Pavlou (Saint Paul's) monastery,
dedicated to the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
We took the ferry boat from the port of Ouranoupoli, that's why we saw only the monasteries on the west coast. For those on the east coast, there is another ferry boat from Ierrisos.
If you happen to be close to Chalkidiki, this is definitely something
you should consider doing. It takes just a couple of hours, but the
views are worth it.
Do you remember me saying that there is no sea water like the one in Greece. I hope you believe me know..
If every country is a colour, Greece definitely is turquoise.
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