0046 - His Grace Bishop Chrisostomos of Rodostolou

His Grace, Bishop Chrysostomos of Rodostolou, is the most modest bishop I have met. I first met his Grace when I was a student at Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy at Mount Athos. I was then a first year student and his Grace had retired as principal of the academy, however, always stayed at the Academy when visiting Karyes. 
He was always polite, humble and modest, never wore an engolpion unless it was a formal ceremony and was always quiet, yet stern and strict when it came to our behaviour and church acumen. He is much loved on all of Mount Athos and currently resides at the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra. He is also the Ecumenical Patriarch's representative on the Holy Mountain. 
His Grace (worldly name: Panagiotis Anagnostopoulos of Nicholas and Stavroula) was born in Serres Greece in 1933. In 1950 he came to Mount Athos and was tonsured a monk. After his graduation from Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy, he served as the secretary of the Holy Community of Mount Athos. He studied Theology at the Holy Theological college of Halki (1958 - 1962).

He was ordained Deacon at the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra in 1960 and then Priest in 1965 by the then Metropolitan of Militoupolis Nathanael, the then principal of the Athonias Academy (Later Metropolitan of Kos). He served as a teacher at the Athonias Academy from 1963 - 1967 and later by decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was promoted to principal of the academy of which he remained as principal until 1988. In 1978, he was popularly elected by the Holy Synod as titular Bishop of Rodostolou. He remains at Mount Athos to this day acting as the Ecumenical Patriarch's helper and conducting Bishop duties on His behalf. 
His name day is on the 13th of November (old calendar).

His Grace at last year's feast day of St. Athanasios the Athonite 

His Grace wearing the cross of St. Athanasios the Athonite

His Grace after officiating at an Athonite funeral.

His Grace Chrysostomos has written many books over the years, all in Greek. I do not know of any translations into english, however will post if I do find. I own nearly all of his books and for those who can read Greek, I strongly suggest you buy and read them. 

Below is a photo of most of His Grace's books. 

0045 - Photos from my recent trip to Mount Athos - Part 1 Karyes

The following pictures were taken in Karyes - Mount Athos in May 2011. 

A view from the front of the Protaton church:

 Taken from the steps of the Holy Community building:

Another photo taken from the front of the Holy Community building:

The old Athonias School in Karyes used by the Holy Community for major events:

The konaki or "embassy" of Stavronikita Monastery at Karyes:

A photo taken from my former teacher's kellion near the Holy Skete of St. Andrew or "Sarai" the Holy Cell of St. Nicholas Barberas. Archimandrite Gabriel Reppas is the Elder here:

More pictures to come. 

0044 - MOUNT ATHOS CENTRE / ΑΓΙΟΡΕΙΤΙΚΗ ΕΣΤΙΑ

The “Mount Athos Center” is a non-profit organization, founded in 2000 by the Municipality of Thessaloniki in collaboration with the Holy Community of Mount Athos.
The main areas of the Mount Athos Center are as follows:

The Bookstore - with publications, brochures, commemorative materials, publications of the Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos, third party publications about Mount Athos,  guides, albums, maps, authentic Athonite products, cd's, dvd's and various other items including Icons and other religious objects.

The Archive - with items, photographs, documents, videos, etc from the “Treasures of Mount Athos” Exhibition, as well as the newer archival materials of the Mount Athos Center.

The Pilgrims’ Office, that serves by providing information and securing passes (depending on availability) for prospective visitors to Mount Athos from Greece and Abroad. A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the centre and view the bookstore, archives, pilgrims centre and the current exhibition by Doug Patterson "Painting at Sacred Places" a fantastic exhibition of drawings and watercolours of Athonite Monasteries. I strongly suggest that anyone passing through Thessaloniki or living there, make some time to visit the Mount Athos Centre, it is well worth the time.  Contact details as follows: Mount Athos Center Egnatias 109 - Nedelkou Building 54635 Thessaloniki, Greece Tel. +30.2310.263308 Fax. +30.2310.250648 email: agestia@otenet.gr Pilgrims OfficeEgnatias 109 - Nedelkou Building 54635 Thessaloniki, Greece Tel. +30.2310.252575 Fax. +30.2310.222424 email: piligrimsbureau@c-lab.gr Or checkout their website in both English and Greek:

ΕΚΘΕΣΗ ΕΡΓΩΝ ΑΓΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΜΑΘΗΤΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΑΘΩΝΙΑΔΟΣ

Την Τρίτη στις 6 ώρα στο πολιτιστικό κέντρο του Δήμου Πυλαίας (πέτρινο κτίριο) θα γίνει έκθεση έργων αγιογραφίας των μαθητών της Αθωνιάδος Εκκλησιαστικής Ακαδημίας. Θα εκτεθεί σημαντικός αριθμός φορητών εικόνων και τοιχογραφιών της περίφημου σχολής του Άγου Όρους.


This Tuesday at 6 pm, an exhibition of Iconography will be held at the cultural centre of the Municipality of Pylaia (Thessaloniki). The exhibitors are students of the famous Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy of Mount Athos. A multitude of portable Icons will be exhibited along with murals all created by the students.

Η έκθεση θα διαρκέσει μέχρι την πρώτη Μαΐου.
Διεύθυνση: Πολυτεχνείου 20 (Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο Πυλαίας)
Τηλέφωνο: 2310 300-427


The exhibition will be open until the 1st of May 
Address: Polytechnioy 20 (Cultural Center of Pylaia)
Ph: 2310 300 427

Great Lent and Pascha 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Wishing you all strength, endurance and spiritual enlightenment during great lent and a blessed and joyous Pascha.
I will be visiting Athos next month and will be absent from posts until my return from Europe in mid May. Upon my return, I will share with you my photos, experiences and videos from Mount Athos.

Regards,

George

Άγιον Όρος - Η δημοκρατία των μοναχών - Fantastic Documentary, worth watching.