Pilgrimage cruise along the shores of Holy Mount Athos

Not everyone is allowed to visit Athos, including due to the special status of this Orthodox Monastic Republic in northern Greece.

It is no secret that in order to visit the “Garden of the Virgin”, as the Holy Mountain is often called, you need a special visa so-called “Diamonitirion”, which is issued only to male pilgrims. This is not about neglecting women’s rights! Simply in Greece, traditionally, women are not allowed to enter the inner territory of male monasteries, as well as men are not allowed to enter the territory of female ones. Athos, with its 20 large monasteries and dozens of small cells and hermitages, is essentially one large male monastery. Officially, women's access to the peninsula was prohibited by a decree of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Monomakh in 1046. Since then, the only woman staying on the Holy Mountain is the Most Holy Mother of God.

But a unique opportunity to personally touch the spiritual and cultural wealth of Athos is provided to everyone as part of a cruise along the western coast of the Holy Mountain, on which the most significant and picturesque Athos monasteries are located. Including the Russian on Athos St. Panteleimon Monastery, which celebrates this year the millennium of the Russian monastic presence on the Holy Mountain.

A stop in the last Greek town near the border of Athos, Uranoupolis, is a great opportunity to enrich yourself spiritually in one of the traditional taverns with beautiful local cuisine. Swimming on its magnificent beaches. Enjoy the flavor of this small town, strolling along its narrow streets, with many shops, in which the discerning traveler will be offered not only all kinds of souvenirs associated with Athos, but also icons written by Athos monks, wine from Athos vineyards, mountain tea collected on and near the peninsula, and much more.