In our blog you can find articles with useful information about the Garden of Virgin Mary, the Monasteries, Cells and Sketes, the routes, but also how to visit Holy Mount Athos. In addition, here you will find authentic monastic recipes, fasting and healthy, as well as prayers for various occasions!
"Three Kings of Orient" stands as a timeless Christmas carol penned by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. Also, the Carols of Epiphany is a nationwide custom in Greece and is mainly sung by children on the eve of the feast of Theophany. There are many variations in the verses depending on the region, but most carols begin with the verses "Today is the Lights and the enlightment/ The happiness is big and the sanctification...".
It is the first day of the year / Rosemary trees stand tall and near / We start, we start our year congenial / in our ho..., in our holy, white cathedral. / In the beginning, Christ came down. / The Holy Spiritual One. / On earth, on earth He walked amid us. / To our hearts, to our hearts great joy He bid us.
The "Holy Epiphany" or "Theophany" or "Eve of Lights" was established in the 2nd century AD and thus it is one of the oldest celebrations of Christianity. The message of this feast is the rebirth of Jesus Christ. In his baptism, Christ made the waters holy, so that they could be transformed into "a gift of sanctification, a removal of sins, a reducer of diseases, a destroyer of demons, inaccessible to the powers that be". Theophany refers to the manifestation of the three persons of the Holy Trinity at the baptism of Jesus Christ and is therefore called Theophany (from Greek Θεο-φάνεια, “appearance of God”).
What Eldress Galaktia teaches us about the pain in our lives. The three reasons God sends us pain, according to Gerontissa. Eldress' wise words and the testimonies of people who lived close to her are gathered in the new book about her life.
What is the Triodion The term ‘Triodion’ has a double definition. On one hand, ‘Triodion’ denotes the liturgical book of the Church, containing hymns with three odes, that are chanted during the period before the Resurrection. On the other hand, ‘Triodion’ is also called the movable period of the...
What Eldress Galaktia of Crete teaches us about humility and confession. Her legacy and the testimonies of people who met her are collected in the new book about her life.
Wise bywords from Saint John the Golden-mouthed, useful for every faithful. "Respect each other, so you can learn to respect God. He, who is insolent to men, is insolent to God."
According to tradition, Mount Sinai is where God gave Moses the tablets of the Law with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19). For this reason, Mount Sinai also received the name Jabal Musa (Mountain of Moses). The highest peak of the mountain has a height of 2,240 meters and is two hours' walk from the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine. The Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine is considered the oldest Christian monastery in the world, together with the Holy Monastery of Saint Anthony near Cairo. Since 2003, the Monastery has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
As evidenced by the excavations, the Church of Saint Demetrios is built in a place where the public baths operated during the Roman period. According to the tradition, Saint Demetrios was imprisoned and martyred with a spear, in this exact place. Later, in the year 313 AD after the Edict of Milan, a small church was built over the Saint's tomb.
Saint Philaret the Merciful was an example of virtue and practiced charity throughout his life. Even when he lost his lands, he used his beehives to help the poor. Thus, he is considered the Patron Saint of Beekeeping.
At the location where the miraculous icon was found, acidic healing water flows to this day. According to tradition, this is the holy water of Saint George, which has healing properties. Today, the miraculous icon of Saint George is placed in the main Church of Saint George on the eastern column. The holy icon depicts Saint George in full figure, as well as the wound on his neck with blood, as a sign of the miracle that occurred centuries ago. Even today, the icon reminds the countless miracles that were performed by the Holy Great Martyr Saint George. The monks honor and commemorate Saint George the Trophy-Bearer and Saint Demetrius the Myroblyte daily during the dismissals of Divine Services.
According to the tradition, during the period of Turkish rule, the area of Porto Lagos belonged to a local bey. He sought the help of a hermit living there due to his ailing daughter. Once the hermit healed her, the bey wanted to express his gratitude and thus granted the area to the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos. Another older tradition states that the Dependency of Saint Nicholas was consecrated by Patriarch Nectarios in the presence of the Byzantine Emperor Arcadius. After the emperor's shipwreck during his return from Rome, he emerged unharmed thanks to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. This event led him to express his gratitude to the Virgin Mary by dedicating the area to Theotokos.
