Each person is affected differently, but the visit is definitely unforgettable. Mt Athos, also known as the Orchard of the Virgin Mary
Have you ever celebrated Greek Orthodox Easter? Would you like to experience a different, more divine Easter? Have a look on how Easter is celebrated at Mt. Athos, the most sacred land in Greece.
Those who have visited Mt Athos agree that it is a unique experience.
Each person is affected differently, but the visit is definitely unforgettable. Mt Athos, also known as the Orchard of the Virgin Mary, radiates awe, ecstasy, and a mysterious atmosphere. It is a unique experience that brings the visitor closer to God.
A visit to Mt Athos will give a glimpse of life during the Byzantine era. One of the many lessons that your visit to the Athonite Peninsula offers you is the insignificance of secular life. Whatever time of year you are on Mt Athos, it is worth it. But, undoubtedly, during Easter, you will have a unique experience, a different Easter from the one we celebrate in the “outside world.”
At Mt Athos, there are no sparklers, noises, and dances. It is all about inclusiveness, with the message of the Resurrection as forgiveness and redemption. The ceremony is accompanied by joyful sounds and laurel leaves thrown by the abbot to monks and visitors.
The Mass of Resurrection begins around 2 after midnight and finishes by dawn. During the Mass, the bells of monasteries sound joyful. After the Mass, monks, and believers sit for the Easter table consisting of soup and fish. Around 12 at noon, the Vespers of Love “Agape” is celebrated with the bells ringing incessantly.
The Easter festivities peak on Monday with the procession of the miraculous Icon of Axion Esti in Karyes. After the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Protaton begins the Icon procession, followed by large Crosses, the leadership of the Haghioritic state, monks, and hundreds of pilgrims. The procession lasts around 5 hours, with the bells ringing joyously.
No matter how religious one is, Easter on Mt Athos is a unique experience that can bring anyone closer to the divine.
