Easter on Mount Athos

Easter on Mount Athos

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.

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Mount Athos is the easternmost peninsula of Halkidiki. It is usually known as the spiritual center of Orthodox Christianity since medieval times. Its 20 monasteries scattered throughout the peninsula are popular pilgrimage sites. Yet, Mount Athos is unique in other ways, too. Take its splendid nature as a reference. It features hills, forests and the sea crashing against the mount's rocky base. In short, Mount Athos is a place unlike any other. Flora of Mount Athos Mount Athos has delightful nature, which is the reason for its "Garden of the Virgin Mary" epithet. There are many endemic plant species inhabiting the region because of many reasons. The uniqueness of the terrain and a variety of micro climates are a few of them. Kassandra and Sithonia, the nearby peninsulas, have the Mediterranean climate. Athos combines elements of the Mediterranean and Continental climates among some others. Due to the fact, you can find a wide variety of plants there. The olive tree, holm oak and the lentisk are some representatives of the Mediterranean vegetation. Some sub-continental species found in the area are the chestnut, fir and the pine. Even semi-desert plants inhabit the Holy Mountain, such as the arboreal euphorbia. And so on. Wildlife of Athos Since around 90% of Mount Athos's surface is untouched, there are many animal species inhabiting the region. While wandering around, you may find traces of various mammals and spot birds. Some mammals found on the Holy Mountain are jackals, red foxes, gray wolves, weasels and monk seals. The Garden of the Virgin Mary is also an excellent destination for birdwatching. Among other birds, you may see golden eagles, black storks, eagle owls, short-toed eagles and gulls. Landscapes of the Holy Mountain Pilgrims constitute the biggest part of Athos's visitors. Getting from one monastery to another is usually carried out on foot via stone-paved paths. Along the way, pilgrims traverse wooded areas with occasional clearings revealing magnificent landscapes. Fields and grooves encircle some monasteries, while others boast forested settings. Some of them are true islands in the sea of greenery.

Nature of Mount Athos, Halkidiki, Greece

Mount Athos is the easternmost peninsula of Halkidiki. It is usually known as the center of Orthodox Christianity since medieval times.

Learn More