National Geographic has a report from Mount Athos, the Orthodox monastic redoubt in Greece. The story is lovely, but the photographs are stunning, and well worth a look. Excerpt from the text:
For better or for worse, the monastic brotherhood consists of men who finally cannot help but be who they are, fleshed out beneath their robes. Some are independent by nature and opt to live on their own in countryside cells. Some are small-minded--and indeed, as one monk says, "monastery life can be absolutely consumed with pettiness." However, the very best of them do not merely radiate goodwill but seek out where it's most needed. Father Makarios of the Marouda cell near Karyes is such a man, freely bestowing on strangers his spare coat, his spare room, all of the money in his pocket. "With real faith," the 58-year-old monk with animated green eyes says, "you have freedom. You have love."
I was so pleased to learn from this story that after a long 20th century decline, novices are once again flocking to Athos. I hope to visit one day. If any readers of this blog have made a pilgrimage there, please share with us all what it was like.
(H/T: Reader James)
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Re: cell phones, SUVs, noise, alcohol and drugs, sex, construction and development, and yes, even iPods, have all made their incursion onto the Holy Mountain
Mt Athos was never free of the distractions and sins of the world. A century ago Rasputin (!) complained the place was full of pederasts. In the Middle Ages there were monks plotting intrgue against the Byzantium emperor from its safety.
Gongfu Cha- 'Christian Tibet' was the phrase National Geographic used. It's not really Mr. Dreher's fault.
With a title like that, I cannot help but link to these stunning photos of Cizhong, China -- Catholic Tibet.
In response to Jon's message of November 19, 2009 12:02 PM
There is no place in this world that can completely free itself from all of the temptations and evils of the Devil, the point of these Athonite monastics is that they make a conscious and collective effort to do so, while most of us do not...
As far as using a quote from Rasputin to describe Mt Athos, that's like asking Osama Bin Laden to comment on the women's educational system in Indonesia...totally absurd. Rasputin was never a monk nor was he Orthodox.
Athos (Agion Oros) is amazing. There is a real Renaissance going on there right now. All of the monasteries are undergoing restoration and many of the new monks are from all parts of the world and highly educated, at that. It is a real jewel in the crown of Orthodox spirituality. Interestingly enough, there are 17 monasteries founded by one of the Athonite elders in North America. If you can't go to Athos (or you would like to visit a women's monastery) check out St. Anthony's website in Florence Arizona.
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