Mt. Athos

   I think if you really want a taste of Byzantine culture, you have to go to Mount Athos. Someday, I'll go there. Is there anyone here who has  deep knowledge about the status of Mt. Athos? Hope for generous ones for giving information.

What would be a good topic about Byzantium?
Byzan do you also have roots in Byzantium? I would like to learn more about Alexius. I have read "The Alexiad of Anna Comnena" but I would like to read a good secondary historical account about him.
Basil would be interesting as well!!

Originally posted by Maju Well, 50% of the world can't go to Mt. Athos as it is the last place of the world where women are not admitted. Pesonally I won't go there. I think that the Greek republic must impose legality in such a Patriarchal mysogynic enclave.

The Athos monasteries are in the first place a religious community, that they have become a tourist attraction is rather accidental.
Although I agree with you, that the fact they disallow the presence of women is a product of age old misogyny by the Christian Church, I would also say that one should also respect the wish of a religious community to be exclusively male or female. The Athos monasteries are not the only ones that have such a rule, they are just the most widely known example.

The free admission of women to the community of Athos hasnt got to do with the right of equality between the two sexes. Its an ancient bond which administers not only Athos, but also many Male monasteries of Orthodox faith. On the contrary there are also a few nunneries around who forbid the entrance to men. Furthermore, Virgin Mary is considered the founder of the place - Hagion Oros is also called the "garden of Virgin Mary" - 

Quoting from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._Athos

An ancient story claims the Blessed Virgin Mary was sailing accompanied by St John the Evangelist on her way from Joppa to Cyprus to visit Lazarus. When the ship was blown off course to then pagan Athos it was forced to drop anchor near the port of Klement, close to the present monastery of Iviron. The Virgin walked ashore and, overwhelmed by the wonderful and wild natural beauty of the mountain, she blessed it and asked her Son for it to be her garden. A voice was heard; "let this place be your inheritance and your garden, a paradise and a haven of salvation for those seeking to be saved". Since that moment the mountain was consecrated as the garden of the Mother of God and was out of bounds to all other women.

The place soon gathered many who wanted to adopt monastic life. What the text of Wikipedia doesnt mention is that firstly, natives called the place "Hagion Oros" (Holy Mountain)  until emperor Constantine IX Monomachos made the name official. Later Alexios A' Komnenos in order to secure the necessary peacefulness which constitutes essential requirement monastic asceticism forbiden the entry of all females.

Note that Basilios A' had commanded at one time, to reside in Mt Athos only ascetics and dissalowed the entrance of everyone else including local shepherds.

Now about the issue whether women should be allowed to visit Mt Athos or not, i remember this issue came to light mostly from one Dutch member of EU parliament some years ago. I only have to say Mt Athos is the residence of some thousands monks. Wrong or not, they have chosen to live there isolated from the rest, plus the area is their property and as every citizen, they have the right of chosing whom they will accept to their home and whom they wont. I am indifferent to the issue since as an outsider i just respect their wish.

Bear in mind now that Mt Athos special status has been quaranteed with the treaty of integration of Greece in EU and is also ensure by the Hellenic constitution. In addition Mth Athos is not part of the EU VAT area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_member_state_territorie s_and_their_relations_with_the_EU#Greece

 

Mt Athos is outside the power of the Hellenic State,it's autonomous.The rules about women have to do with religion ,and the state simply cannot intervene in religious matters.

Originally posted by Mila Beautiful place! A couple of photos:

wow beatiful!! one of the places I missed when I went to Greece.