Agion Oros - Mount Athos

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 ...

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. 

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, ...

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

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