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.