Mount Athos Frankincense

Authentic incense is a traditional aromatic blend, handmade and rooted in ancient biblical tradition. It is made from ground natural incense, mixed with special fragrances and magnesium powder. In the Old Testament, it consisted of four main ingredients—frankincense, mastic, onycha, and galbanum (Exodus 30:34–38), while in the time of Jesus Christ, it was composed of thirteen aromatic substances. Natural incense is the aromatic resin collected from the trunk of a specific tree (Boswellia sacra, also known as the frankincense tree or the olibanum tree) and serves as the primary raw material in the making of incense. 

In contrast, aromatic frankincense is a more recent form of incense, produced by blending ground frankincense with modern aromatic substances in specific proportions. Find here: Mount Athos Frankincense - Charcoals

Genuine, handmade incense holds a prominent spiritual significance in Orthodox Christian life and carries profound symbolic meaning.

  1. It symbolizes prayer and the offering of the faithful to God.

Just as the fragrant incense rises heavenward, so too does the prayer of the faithful ascend to God, according to the psalmic verse: «Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.» At the same time, it expresses the inner longing of the human soul for prayer to be accepted as «a spiritual fragrance of sweet savor.» The sweet aroma of incense fills the church or place of prayer, transforming each believer into «the fragrance of Christ.»

  2. It symbolizes the fiery tongues of Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples by the command of the Lord “in the form of fiery.” Incense thus becomes a symbol of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, in the prayer recited by the priest while censing before Oblation, he beseeches the Lord to give His grace of the Holy Spirit to the faithful. Read the article : Why we use Incense in Orthodox Faith: Symbolism and Prayers

The best incense is considered to be that which is made from natural, pure ingredients and prepared with respect for its holy use. High-quality handmade incense is produced from pure frankincense, clean aromatic resins, natural essential oils, and suitable natural substances that ensure proper burning.

Specifically, premium-quality incense is distinguished by:

• Clean and steady burning.
• A pleasant fragrance that lasts until the end of the burning.
• High-quality ingredients such as natural frankincense, pure aromatic resins, and genuine natural essential oils.
• A stable texture that does not crumble excessively.

Some of the finest scented incense is produced in the monasteries of Mount Athos, where the traditional Athonite recipe is preserved and natural ingredients are blended with no additional additives.

Find here: Mount Athos Frankincense - Charcoals

Incense of Mount Athos differs from common incense mainly in its method of preparation, the quality of its materials, and the spiritual tradition that accompanies it.

  1). Traditional method of preparation

On Mount Athos, athonite incense is handmade by the monks according to the old Athonite recipe. The process is carried out slowly and carefully, with a deep sense of responsibility and reverence.

  2). Use of pure and high-quality materials

Incense of Mount Athos is made exclusively from pure and natural materials, which accounts for its exceptional quality.

  3). Spiritual dimension of its preparation

The monks prepare authentic Athonite incense with prayer and personal devotion, since the making of frankincense is one of the most important handicrafts on Mount Athos.

Find here: Frankincense of Mount Athos

The monks prepare Athonite incense using traditional methods, following old recipes that have been preserved through the centuries. Handmade incense of Mount Athos is produced and packaged in monastery workshops, using the simplest and purest materials.

The preparation process itself is one of the main reasons why Mount Athos incense is regarded as so high in quality and truly distinctive.

Censing at home is carried out according to the following steps:

  1. The prescribed prayer is recited, asking that it may rise before God as spiritual incense.

  2. Lit charcoals are placed in the censer using a grabber and left to heat thoroughly.

  3. One or more grains of frankincense are placed on the hot charcoal, depending on their size.

  4. Each room of the house is censed with prayer and reverence.

  5. Above the bed of each person, the Cross sign is made three times.

  6. A supplication is repeated three times, asking for God’s mercy and blessing upon each individual.

  7. After all rooms have been completed, one proceeds to the main entrance of the house.

  8. There, the censer is raised three times in the sign of the Cross, praying for the removal of every visible and invisible enemy.

Censing may be done every morning, as well as at any time of the day or night. In this way, we seek the divine protection of God, the Mother of God, and the Saints throughout the day.

Charcoal incense is lit correctly by following a few important steps:

1. A charcoal tablet or charcoal powder is placed in the censer and ignited until it fully lights up.
2. A small amount of frankincense is placed on the heated charcoal.
3. After the censing is completed, the remaining incense and ash are removed reverently and disposed of in a place that is not walked upon, such as a garden or a flowerpot with soil.

Find here: Charcoals

Handmade incense of Mount Athos is prepared using traditional methods in Athonite workshops. Initially, ground natural incense is used and mixed with aromatic substances in specific proportions. In earlier times, monks also used flower petals and crushed incense. The mixture is carefully kneaded and spread onto trays so that   moisture gets rid of and the mass hardens. Once it acquires a compact and firm texture, it is cut into small pieces. Finally, magnesium powder is added to prevent the pieces from sticking together. In this way, the preparation of frankincense of Mount Athos is completed.

Find here: Frankincense of Mount Athos 

Mount Athos incense is produced from the following materials:

  1. High-quality natural incense, also known as natural resin.

  2. Natural essential oils.

  3. Magnesium powder with no chemical additives.

Find here: Mount Athos Frankincense - Charcoals

The Athonite incense is of exceptional quality and constitutes one of the most important obediences of the monks, who prepare the incense with reverence and prayer, faithfully following the traditional Athonite recipes. On our website, you will find incense produced in the Holy Monasteries and Kellia (monastic cells) of Mount Athos.

Specifically, the authentic Athonite incense is produced at the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, as well as at the Holy Monastery of Dochariou and the Holy Monastery of Karakallou, in quantities ranging from 15 grams up to 500 grams. At the same time, the monks of the Holy Cell of Saint Nicholas, the Holy Cell of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, prepare Athonite incense based on traditional Athonite recipes in quantities from 15 grams up to 1 kilogram.

In our store, you will find various types of Athonite incense in a wide variety of fragrances.

Some distinctive fragrances from selected incense blends include Byzantine, Myrrh, and Gardenia from the Athonite Incense collection; Wild Rose, Amber, and Cherubic from the incense of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, Night-Blooming, Mastic, and Jasmine from the incense of the Holy Monastery of Dochariou; as well as Bethlehem, Tabor, and Axion Estin from the Traditional Incense of the Holy Cell of Saint Nicholas. You can find all available fragrances from the various types of Athonite incense in detail on our website, monastiriaka.gr