Orthodox shrines on the Greek islands. Orthodox shrines in Greece

Convent of St. app. and ev. John the Evangelist is a 30-minute drive from Thessaloniki. Quiet abode located in the small town of Suroti. Helped found a monastery Athos elder Paisios the Holy Mountain. Once he was approached by women who wanted to found a monastery where they could live according to the strict rules of Athos. Soon the elder found a wonderful picturesque place for a convent, received a blessing from the bishop for its founding, and in 1967 the first sisters settled in the monastery. Now there are 67 of them, and they really live according to the old Athos traditions. Services are held by candlelight without electricity. Another tradition, typical of many monasteries in Greece, has been preserved in the monastery - to treat visitors with Turkish delight and cold water. To get to the monastery, you need to climb up the mountain. So this meal comes in very handy.
One of the main shrines of the monastery is the grave of the elder Paisios Svyatogorets, thousands of pilgrims strive for it. Near the grave there is always one of the nuns who keeps order. People tend to come here to honor the memory of this amazing man.

Elder Paisios Svyatogorets, in the world Arseniy Eznepidis, was born in Faras Cappadocia (Turkey) in 1924 in a large family. Two weeks after the birth of Arsenius, the Farasian Greeks fled from Turkey to Greece. Before leaving, Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia (1841-1924), who was then the parish priest in the village, christened the boy and gave the child his name. He also uttered the words that became prophetic for Paisius: "I want to leave a monk behind me."

As a child, little Arseny loved to read the lives of the saints, his older brother even took away and hid books from him. Arseny spent his youth in the city of Konitsa, where he studied at school and received the profession of a carpenter. The Greek Civil War (1944-1948) began, he was drafted into the army. After serving, Arseny went to Athos, in 1954 he accepted a cassock with the name Averky. And two years later he was tonsured into a small schema with the name Paisios. From 1958 to 1962 he lived in the Konitsky Monastery in the village of Stomio, after which he went to Sinai. He spent two years in the skete of the Holy Martyrs Galaction and Epistimius on Mount Sinai, where his cell is still preserved, but then, due to a lung disease, he returned to Athos and settled in the Iberian Skete.

In 1966, the disease developed so badly that Father Paisius had most of his lungs removed. It was then that several women approached him with a request to help found a monastery.
Father Paisios constantly supported the monastery and twice a year, until his death on July 12, 1994, he came to visit the sisters from Athos. He died in Suroti and is buried there. As the sisters say, that's right. If he had been buried on Mount Athos, women would not have been able to come to him. The relics of St. Arseny of Cappadocia, it was no coincidence that they ended up in the monastery, in the creation and in the life of which Father Paisios played a huge role. They were born in the same village, and it was St. Arseniy baptized Father Paisius, giving the child his name, prophetically saying: "I want to leave a monk behind me." This happened in Faras of Cappadocia, where St. Arseniy of Kapadokia was the parish priest at that time.
At an early age, Arseniy Kapadoksky lost his parents. He was educated at the seminary in Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey). At the age of 26, he took monastic vows at the monastery of John the Baptist in Zinji Dere in Caesarea (modern Kayseri, Turkey), was ordained a deacon and sent by Metropolitan Paisios II to Faras to teach children to read and write from church books.

In 1870, the Monk Arseny was ordained a priest and elevated to the rank of archimandrite. He made 5 pilgrimages to the Holy Land, which is why he was called Hajj Efendi. The pastoral activity of the monk continued in Faras until the age of 55. He instructed and confirmed in the faith the inhabitants of the Greek enclave, which was constantly under the threat of destruction. The Monk Arseny foresaw the coming trials - wars and exodus from his native land. In 1924, during the resettlement of the Greeks of Asia Minor, he accompanied his flock and died 40 days after arriving in Greece on the island of Corfu. The relics of the monk were transported first to the city of Konitsa, and then to the monastery of John the Theologian in Suroti.
Monastery of St. Anastasia the Solver is located near the city of Thessaloniki. The Holy Great Martyr Anastasia the Patterner is his patroness and intercessor. There is an opinion of scientists that she tied up where her monastery stands today.

St. Anastasia was born and raised in Rome at the end of the 3rd century. Her mentor and teacher of faith was the holy martyr Chrysogon. From childhood, leading a good Christian life, she kept herself clean and strengthened in virtues. Desiring to devote his life to Christ, St. Anastasia visited persecuted Christians in prisons and dungeons. She supported them spiritually and helped financially by distributing her inheritance. Even during her lifetime, the Saint received from God the gift of healing and helped many sick and suffering people.
The saint is called the "Great Martyr", as she courageously endured all the grave tortures and torments. She is also called the “Secretress”, because she was given the power from the Lord to heal bodily and spiritual diseases. In her prayers, she is asked to release the bonds of the unjustly condemned and to give comfort to those who are imprisoned. It is also customary for a saint to ask for protection from witchcraft spells.

St. Theophania, the queen of Byzantium, identified this monastery as royal, in 888 she donated large financial resources for the needs of the monastery. The imperishable relics of Empress Theophania are to this day in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Constantinople. She is considered the first embellisher of the monastery. At the same time, the monastery was presented with a gift of St. relics of the Patroness of the monastery - chapter and part right foot The Great Martyrs, who are still kept in the temple of the monastery and are its main Shrine. Then the monastery fell into decay, it was preserved by a miracle. In 1522 Saint Theon found the holy monastery of the Destroyer in a state of desolation. It was he who restored it and made it prosperous.
St. Theon was abbot in the monastery he revived, and then in 1535 he was elected Metropolitan of the city of Thessaloniki. Holy and imperishable relics of St. Theons are located in the monastery church to the right of the iconostasis.

In 1821, the monastery was badly damaged by the Turks, who destroyed and burned it. Since the rich library, archives and many monastery treasures burned down at that time, information about the history of the monastery from the 9th to the 16th century that has come down to us is very scarce. Kalambaka is not a very big city with a population of 11.5 thousand people. It is the capital of the district of the same name, which occupies the northern part of the Trikala prefecture. It is located at an altitude of 247 meters above sea level. Nearby are the famous Meteor rocks.

People come to Meteora from all over the world. This unique place is breathtakingly beautiful. Smoothly polished impregnable rocks, like pillars, connect the sky and the earth saturated with Christianity. Meteors got their name not by chance, in Greek "Meteors" means "soaring in the sky" or "suspended between heaven and earth." Almost 30 million years ago, nature created incredible rocks on the flat surface of the Thessalian plain, then they were at the bottom of the ocean, the water knocked sand down and gave them amazing forms that it did not leave anywhere else in the world. But this place attracts tourists not only with its picturesque landscape. The strongest energy of the holy place is felt here. Since the 10th century, Meteora has been one of the largest monastic complexes in Greece. These impregnable rocks have become a symbol of faith, austerity, repentance and renunciation of worldly goods. For many centuries, monks have lived on the peaks, for whom the rocks have become not only a place where you can quietly and calmly indulge in the service of God, but also find reliable protection during the Turkish conquests. At first, the monks lived in caves and rocky depressions, then monasteries gradually began to form.

Until the 20s of the last century, it was possible to get into the monasteries only with the help of a system of stairs, scaffolding and rope structures. Most often, monks and pilgrims used nets and baskets, which were lifted to the peaks with the help of hand blocks. All these methods of ascent caused fear and excitement among those who wanted to get to the top. At a height of several tens of meters, a strong wind begins, which shakes and threatens to disrupt structures that are unreliable at first glance. The ascent to the monasteries became a kind of test of faith. Now, of course, there are roads and stairs carved into the rocks. Once there were 24 monasteries, now there are only six monasteries: Transfiguration, St. Varlaam, St. Nicholas, Barbara or Rusana, the Holy Trinity and St. Stephen. Two of them are female.

When the Rusana Monastery was founded is not exactly known, as well as the origin of its name. Perhaps the monastery was founded by Rusanos, a native of the town of Rusana. According to another version, the monastery was founded in 1288 by hieromonks Nikodim and Benidikt. The authentic facts can only be attributed to the fact that in 1545, with the permission of the Metropolitan of the city of Larisa Vissarion and the hegumen of the Big Meteors monastery, the brothers hieromonks Joasaph and Maxim built a monastery katholikon in the Byzantine style on the site of the destroyed Church of the Transfiguration and restored the monastery. Unfortunately, the monastery was often plundered, and few relics remained of it. Those that have survived are now in the Transfiguration Monastery (Big Meteora).

Meteors - Orthodox monasteries on the rocks (Greece)

In 1940, the monastery fell into decay and lost its monks. Since 1950, for 20 years, Elder Eusevia from the neighboring village of Kastraki single-handedly preserved the three-story building of the monastery, which is currently functioning as a renovated building. convent, which received its second name in honor of St. Barbarians.

In the Monastery of St. Stefan, located in a very picturesque place on a huge rock, is easy to get to. To visit it, you just need to cross one bridge. It is the richest of the meteor monasteries. The first thing that pilgrims saw before 1927, when they got to the monastery, was a bricked-up slab with the inscription “6770. Jeremiah”, which was located in the arch above the entrance to the monastery and meant that a certain hermit named Jeremiah lived on this rock as early as 6770 from the creation of the world, that is, in 1192 from the birth of Christ. There is a version that this hermit and other monks built here a small chapel of St. Stephen and several cells. However, the monastery itself was built at the end of the 14th century by Anatoly Katakuzinos and Philotheus of Siatin, whose images are depicted in a small church on the territory of the monastery. At the end of the 19th century, the monastery was inhabited by 31 monks, but by 1960 it was almost empty, in 1961 it was converted into a convent, and today it is flourishing. There is an exhibition of monastery treasures in the refectory of the monastery.

In 1340, Athanasius of Meteora founded on the highest and largest rock monastery, which is known as Preobrazhensky or Big Meteors. The monastery got its name in honor of the main temple, which was built in 1388. As noted, it was built in the likeness of Athos temples. The founders of the monastery, Saints Athanasius and Iosaph, are buried inside the temple in its northern limit. Iosaph, the last Serbian king, cut his hair as a monk and did a lot for the monastery: he expanded the Transfiguration Cathedral, decorated it with icons and provided it with the necessary sacred vessels. The cathedral is decorated with magnificent frescoes, which were made in 1522, unfortunately, the name of the master has not come down to us. The temple is also famous for its skillful gilded iconostasis, which was made in 1971. There is a large number of valuable icons of the XIV-XVI centuries, and in the former refectory there is a museum of monastery treasures. Among the treasures of the monastery, the following stand out: the most ancient Greek manuscript of 861; a double-leaf icon of the Mother of God, a contribution by Maria Palaiologos, sister of one of the founders of the monastery; part of the Golden Bull with the signature of Emperor Andronicus Palaiologos; a fully embroidered shroud of the 14th century; four icons of the 16th century: the Nativity of Christ, the Crucifixion of Christ, the Passion of Christ, Our Lady of Sorrows. Not far from the entrance to the monastery is the skete of St. Athanasius. It was there that the founder of the monastery lived and prayed.

Until 1922, they climbed the rock in a grid, as it was not safe, steps were cut through the rock. But the grid is still not forgotten and is used to lift provisions and other items necessary for the life of the monastery. Monastery of St. Nikolai Anapavsas is probably the most unusual of the meteors and stands out because of the features of its construction. The monastery seems to be huddled on a small rock, which forced the monks to think about placing temples and cells in such a way that everything was functional. This is how this magnificent monastery appeared, a labyrinth of several levels that fascinates pilgrims. Presumably, the monastery was founded in the 12th-13th centuries, when the first monks appeared on the rock. It was founded by the monk Nikanor by the name of Anapavsas, after whom the monastery got its name.

In total, the monastery has 3 levels. On the first one is the church of St. Anthony. On the area of ​​​​the altar in 4 sq. meters can be only one clergyman.
On the second level is the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the katholikon of the monastery was built in 1527. The cathedral was built in the shape of a windowless rectangle and topped with a low dome, while the porch of the cathedral is so spacious that it seems that it was originally built as a monastery courtyard. The altar is forced to face north. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with frescoes by Theophanes Strelidzas, an outstanding icon painter of the Cretan school. On the third level there are cells, an old refectory used as a reception room for honored visitors, a small church of St. John the Baptist and the crypt with the skulls of the monks.

Demetrius of Thessalonica came from the city of Thessalonica, where his father was governor of the Roman proconsul in Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki) and a secret Christian. When his father died, Emperor Maximian appointed him proconsul of the city. His main task was to protect the city. However, Demetrius returned to Thessaloniki and, instead of eradicating Christianity, as the emperor commanded, he himself began to confess Christianity in front of everyone and began to teach the inhabitants of the city the Christian faith. When the emperor found out about this, he immediately wanted to deal with Demetrius. Demetrius, foreseeing this, indulged in strict fasting and prayer and asked to distribute all his property to the poor. The emperor entered the city and immediately summoned Demetrius to him. He boldly recognized himself as a Christian and was imprisoned. At night, an angel came down to him, comforting and strengthening him in his feat. Later, in prison, he was brutally stabbed to death with spears.

Faithful servant of Demetrius, St. Lupp collected the blood of the holy Great Martyr on a towel and soaked his ring in it. With these shrines he began to heal the sick. The body of the martyr Demetrius was thrown to be devoured by wild beasts, but the Thessalonica Christians secretly betrayed him to the earth. During the reign of Emperor Constantine, it was erected over the grave, and a hundred years later, during the construction of a new majestic temple, the incorruptible relics of the holy martyr were found. From the 5th century, with the cancer of St. Demetrius, the outflow of fragrant myrrh begins, therefore St. Demetrius receives the name Myrrh-streaming. St. Demetrius became the patron and protector of his family Thessalonica when the barbarians approached the city. Repeatedly, the pagan Slavs retreated from the walls of Thessalonica at the sight of a formidable bright youth who walked around the walls.

Saint Gregory Palamas was born in Constantinople into a noble family. His parents tried to teach him from a young age both human and especially Divine wisdom. Gregory from an early age sought to give all his strength to the service of God. Despite the fact that Gregory was from a wealthy family, he despised wealth, always walked in poor clothes and behaved like a poor man. Some even thought he was crazy. At the age of twenty, he finally decided to take the monastic dignity and go into the wilderness. Soon, with his brothers, he retired to Athos. In 1350 he returned to Thessaloniki. In 1354 he was captured by the Turks, but a year later he was released. Over the past three years, St. Gregory performed many miracles and healed many sick people. In 1368 Gregory Palamas was canonized as a saint.

Northwest Greece
Once Igoumenitsa was only a fishing village. During the period of the Turkish rule in Greece, it was a small town called Grava. In 1913, the town was liberated from the Turks, and in 1938 it took its modern name. The city took its final shape after World War II.
Corfu is probably one of the most famous Ionian islands in Greece, with an area of ​​593 km². The island is very picturesque and attracts tourists from all over the world with its small coves and wonderful beaches. By the island ancient history, references to it can be found even in ancient Greek myths. Many peoples left their mark on it: the Romans and the Normans, the Goths and the Venetians, the Turks and the French, the British and the Russians. This could not but affect the culture of the island, rich in monuments and temples. The Orthodox on the island have their own shrines.

The inhabitants of the island of Corfu, or, as it is also called Kerkyra, know Admiral Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov well and revere his name. His squadron liberated Corfu in 1799. After knocking out the French from the island, Ushakov restored the Orthodox episcopate on it after almost five centuries of absence of the Orthodox Church on Corfu. The admiral also contributed to the creation of the first Greek state in the Ionian Islands after the fall of the Byzantine Empire. In 2002, a monument to Admiral F.F. Ushakov was opened in Corfu near the New Fortress.
Cathedral Church in the name of the Greek Empress Theodora. Righteous Empress Theodora went down in history as an icon-protector. She was the wife of the Greek king Theophilus the iconoclast (829 - 842), but did not share her husband's convictions and secretly venerated the holy icons. When her husband died, she ruled the state instead of her infant son Michael. Theodora did a lot for Orthodoxy. Her merits include the fact that she restored icon veneration, returned and ensured that the iconoclasts were cursed. Righteous Theodora did a lot for the Holy Church. She brought up in her son Michael a firm devotion to Orthodoxy. When Michael grew up, she was removed from government and, after spending 8 years in the monastery of Saint Euphrosyne in deeds and reading Divine books (the Gospel written by her hand is known), she died peacefully around the year 867. Her relics in 1460 were given by the Turks to the inhabitants of the city of Kerkyra.

Church of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky is the most famous religious monument. St. Spyridon was born in Rome in the III century on the island of Cyprus, from childhood he was devout and led a righteous life. He helped the needy, the sick, children. For his deeds, God rewarded him with the gift of miracles. There are many miracles performed by St. Spiridon. Once, during the Divine service, the fir oil burned out in the lamp, and it began to fade. The saint was upset, but the Lord consoled him: the lamp miraculously filled with oil. In the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337), he was elected bishop in one of the cities in Cyprus. But, even as a bishop, he was able to combine pastoral ministry with works of mercy. Spiridon was a great defender of the faith and fought heresy. It is known that he took part in the First Ecumenical Council in 325 in Nicaea. After his death, his relics were buried in Constantinople, and when the capital of Byzantium fell to the Turks, the Orthodox leaving the city took them with them. They came to Corfu in 1489.

It is not known exactly how he was associated with Corfu before he became St. Spyridon, the patron saint of the island. But the story survives that he saved the island from the plague in 1553. Later, he stood up for the island as early as 1630, when Corfu was threatened by famine, and in 1716, when the Turks attacked him. It is said that he appeared dressed as a monk, holding a candle, and sowed panic among the Turks. The day of their patron on the island is celebrated on December 12 on a large scale. The first church of St. Spiridona was located in the town of Sarokas, but it had to be destroyed when the city walls were being built. The current church was built in 1590. The temple was built in the style typical of the Ionian islands. Inside there are huge gold and silver chandeliers, a marble iconostasis, an unusual-looking icon in gold frames on the vault. Throughout the cathedral and above the shrine with relics, a large number of metal figures depicting ships, cars and individual parts of the body hang on chains - gratitude from the parishioners who received the help of the saint. The temple contains the incorruptible relics of the saint in a silver sarcophagus of the 19th century. Every day, hundreds of people come to the temple to venerate this shrine, and these are not only tourists, but also local residents who love and honor their patron very much.

Southern Greece (Peloponnese)

Patras is a city on the Peloponnese peninsula. In accordance with Christian history This is the place of martyrdom of St. Andrew. Andrew the First-Called spent the last years of his life in Patras, here he preached the faith of Christ, created a large Orthodox community. By order of the proconsul Achaia Egeat, he was sentenced to martyrdom on the cross.

St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called was born in Bethsaida. John the Baptist himself was his teacher. The Apostle Andrew and the Apostle John the Theologian were the first to follow the Lord. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Andrew went by lot to preach the Word of God to the Black Sea countries, passed through Asia Minor, Macedonia, Chersonese, and ascended the Dnieper to the place where Kyiv is now located. Apostle Andrew accomplished many feats in the name of faith, his path ended in the city of Patras. Here, by the laying on of hands, the First-Called Apostle healed many people, including the wife and brother of the ruler. But the ruler of Aegeat, embittered, ordered the crucifixion of St. Apostle so that he suffered for a long time - not by nailing his hands and feet to the cross, but by tying them. That cross was not ordinary, but beveled, because the Apostle considered himself unworthy to die on the same cross on which Jesus was crucified. Such a cross has become a symbol of the Orthodox faith and is called "Andreevsky".

Two days of St. The apostle from the cross taught the assembled townspeople. The people who listened to him sympathized with the martyr and demanded that he be taken down from the cross. Fearing an uprising, the ruler ordered an end to the execution. But the Apostle wanted to accept death in the name of Christ, and the soldiers could not untie the hands of the martyr. Suddenly, a bright light illuminated the cross. When it stopped, people saw that St. The apostle had already committed his soul to the Lord.

Church of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called in Patras was built in the early twentieth century in the tradition of Western architecture. Its huge dome is visible from afar from the sea, because the temple stands right on the shore of the Gulf of Corinth. In the church are the head of St. Apostle Andrew and the cross on which he was crucified. The modern cathedral was built on the very spot where the apostle was executed. Nearby you can see a cave with a spring, which, according to legend, scored at the place of his death.
Also in Patras are the relics of the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Paul was not one of the twelve apostles. He, originally bearing the Hebrew name Saul, belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. The Apostle Paul was born in the Cilician city of Tarsus. In his youth, he participated in the persecution of Christians. Once Saul was illuminated by the brightest light, from which he fell blind to the ground. From the light came a voice: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" To Saul's question: "Who are you?" - The Lord answered: "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Shortly thereafter, he became an apostle. Paul was a very learned and wise man. He created numerous Christian communities in Asia Minor and the Balkan Peninsula. Paul's letters to communities and individuals form a significant part of the New Testament and are among the main texts of Christian theology. The Apostle Paul was distinguished by the fact that he sought to convey to the pagans the Divine Revelation not only adequately, but also convincingly, understandably, beautifully. He speaks to people in a language they can understand. The sermon that the Apostle Paul read in Athens in the Areopagus, where all the Athenian meetings were held at that time, went down in history. At that time, Athens was not only a center of learning, but a city of idols. There is an opinion that Paul, when he arrived in Athens, was confused by the majesty of this city. However, this did not stop him from making his speech. Although historically it is believed that the majority of Athenians did not change their views, many still came to believe. Among them were Dionysius the Areopagite and many others.

Mega Spilio Monastery or the Great Cave is located at an altitude of 924 meters near the town of Kalavryta. There is an icon of the Virgin Mary, created from wax and aromatic substances by the Evangelist Luke. Evangelist Luke was born into a Greek family and was very educated, he was a doctor by profession. The author of one of the four Gospels, he created the Acts of the Apostles, was sent by the Lord to preach about the kingdom of heaven. It is believed that he painted the first icons Holy Mother of God. However, the wax icon located in Mega Spilio is unique. It was thanks to her that a monastery arose. It was created in 362 around the cave where it was found. The building of the monastery has 8 floors, and there is a feeling that it is built into the rock. The monastery was destroyed many times, and there were fires in it, but the icon has survived to this day. The walls of the church of the monastery are covered with frescoes. Also, handwritten Gospels and surplices are kept here.

Central Greece

The holy relics of the martyr Gregory and the Cathedral of the Annunciation. The future Patriarch of Constantinople Gregory was born into a poor family and was named George. He studied on the island of Patmos. Soon he became a monk with the name Gregory. The ascetic way of life, great knowledge in secular and theological sciences, made him known to the Metropolitan of Smyrna Procopius. He was ordained a deacon, then a presbyter, and in 1785 he was consecrated a bishop and became the successor to Metropolitan Procopius. In 1792 St. Gregory was elected Patriarch of Constantinople.
The saint did a lot for his flock. Despite the fact that the Turks hindered the spread and preservation of Christianity in Greece, St. Gregory repaired old and built new Orthodox churches, urging the people not to change the Christian faith.
It is not surprising that the Turkish ruler did not like all this. After the third return to the patriarchate, when the massacre of the Turks against Christians began, the patriarch was taken and, after much torment, hanged in 1821.
The Turks forbade the burial of the body of the holy martyr. It was given to the Jews, who tied stones to the saint's neck and threw him into the sea.
Body of St. Gregory, who miraculously got rid of the stone, was found by Greek sailors and transported to Odessa, where he was buried in the Trinity Church in the northern part of the altar. In 1871, the holy relics of Patriarch Gregory were transferred from Odessa to Athens and placed in the Cathedral of the Annunciation. The temple was built in the 19th century, it was consecrated in 1862. The construction was slow, the architects were replaced by one another, so its architecture cannot be called unambiguous. It is believed that it was built in the "Hellenic Byzantine tradition", but some believe that it is not as beautiful as real Byzantine temples.

Aegean islands

Euboea Island has an unusual feature, it is connected to the mainland by a 14-meter bridge, as it is very close to the mainland. It is the second largest island in Greece after Crete. The bridge is not the main feature of the island, much more interesting water below it in the Strait of Evripe: it either rushes at a frantic speed, then practically freezes, and after a few hours, it picks up speed again, but, surprisingly, moves in the other direction.

The island is a favorite vacation spot of the Greeks themselves, it is especially popular among the Athenians, because from Athens to it - only 88 kilometers. But there are few tourists here, which makes the island even more attractive with its hot springs, beautiful beaches, green forests and beautiful mountains.

The temple of the righteous John the Russian, one of the most revered saints in Greece, is located on the island of Euboea in the town of Neoprokopion, where his relics are also kept. This saint lived an amazing, blessed, but at the same time full of torment life. He was born in the 17th century in Little Russia, got into the service of Peter I. He fought a lot and wandered around the world a lot, but he was always full of humility and firmly professed the holy Faith. Many miracles are attributed to him. During the war, the saint was taken prisoner by the Turks and was sent into slavery in Asia Minor, where he endured torment for a long time.

Monastery of St. David of Euboea is located near the church of St. John the Russian. Funds for the construction of the monastery of St. David, who lived in the 16th century, collected on the territory of present-day Romania, Moldova and Russia. The most valuable of these gifts are still kept in the monastery. The monastery houses the relics of its founder, St. David of Euboea, as well as the Holy Head of St. Basil the Great. The great saint of God and God-wise teacher of the Church Basil was born in the city of Caesarea in 330. He was not only a pious believer, but also an educated man who knew secular sciences. His father was in charge of his education. Basil traveled a lot in search of new knowledge, he was in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia. However, he felt that the main thing for him was not worldly sciences, but service to the Lord. So he went to Egypt, where she flourished monastic life. When Basil the Great returned to Athens, he did much to become the Truth of the Faith and converted many to it.

Elder Jacob of Euboea lived a pious, but very difficult and full of bodily suffering life. He was born on November 5, 1920, into a devout family that was closely associated with the Church. As a child, Jacob and his family had to leave their homeland of Libya because of the oppression of the Turks. By the will of God, he was destined to get to the island of Euboea. There he went to school and there he began to lead a righteous and ascetic life. Even as a child, his favorite toy was a censer, which he made himself. All the neighbors were proud of him and saw in him a real man of God. Soon he was entrusted with the keys to the temple: the village did not have its own priest, he came from a neighboring village once every two weeks. Residents of neighboring villages, when they had any difficulties, turned to him for help. James was called to anoint with oil and read prayers over the sick, women who had difficult births, over the possessed, and for other needs. Jacob could not continue to study at school, as he had to work to help his family.

His path to monasticism was a long one. First he lost his parents and was forced to take care of his sister, then he had to fulfill his duty to his country and served in the army. After returning, he took on any job in order to collect a dowry for his sister Anastasia. It was only when she got married that he felt ready to become a monk. He began to think about returning to the Holy Land. One day, St. David said that Jacob's mission was to revive the monastery, which he once founded here. His tonsure took place on November 30, 1952. And he devoted his whole life to serving God and restoring the monastery. When her age approached fifty, he began to be overcome by illnesses that had tormented him since childhood. However, what worried him most was his heart. He was ill for a long time. Restoring the monastery of St. David, who chose the elder as his spiritual heir, bringing healing and peace to thousands of suffering souls, father Jacob passed away on November 21, 1991. The monastery has preserved his cell and many personal items that bear information about the life of this holy man.

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12 places in Orthodox Greece that every Christian wants to see!

1. Athos

Holy Mount Athos, located on the Chalkidiki peninsula, is one of the most revered holy places by the Orthodox throughout the world and the only monastic republic in the world. On Athos, in every monastery, in every skete, many miraculous icons and relics of the greatest Orthodox saints are kept, but only men can visit this place, according to tradition, women are not allowed on the Holy Mountain so as not to violate the ascetic strictness of its male monasteries.

2. Suroti

The Monastery of St. John the Evangelist in Suroti is called the "Female Athos". Here, the nuns live according to the strictest rules, close to those existing on the Holy Mountain: they labor in silence, solitude and unceasing prayer. Most days of the year the monastery is closed to the public. However, still thousands of pilgrims come here every year to visit the grave of the founder of this holy monastery - Reverend Elder Paisius the Holy Mountaineer, who is widely revered not only in Greece, but throughout the Orthodox world.

3. Thessaloniki

This large Greek city has several important places for an Orthodox pilgrim. Firstly, this is the basilica of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, who from the first years of the baptism of Russia was especially revered in our country as the patron of the army. According to the life, after the execution by the pagans, the body of the warrior Demetrius was thrown to be eaten by animals, but they did not touch him, and the remains were buried by Christians. The basilica built on the site of his burial is one of the main Christian shrines in Greece. Another important place in Thessaloniki is the Metropolitan Cathedral, where the shrine with the relics of St. Gregory Palamas, one of the greatest Church Fathers, is kept.

4. Corfu

The capital of the island of Corfu, the city of Kerkyra, according to legend, is under the heavenly patronage of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, whose relics are kept in the main temple of the city. The entire life of the saint amazes with the amazing simplicity and power of miracles: at his word the dead were awakened, the elements were tamed, idols were crushed. In the north of the island of Corfu, high on the mountain is the monastery of Pantokrator - "Almighty". This nunnery on the day of its patronal feast becomes the center of the entire island, thousands of pilgrims come here every year. Particles of the relics of Righteous Anna, the Great Martyr Euthymia, St. Arseny of Kerkyra, the Apostles Jason and Sosipater, and Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer are kept in the monastery.

5. Meteora

"Soaring in the air" - so translated from the Greek Μετέωρα. Built in incredible conditions, having no access roads, the monastery buildings on steep cliffs have been preserved here since the 14th century. Almost 400 meters above the valley of the river Pineos and the Thessalian plain, monastery churches rise, as a symbol of the soaring of monastic life above worldly passions. Today, only four of the Meteor monasteries are active - St. Stephen, the Holy Trinity, St. Varlaam and the Transfiguration of the Lord.

6. Sparta

We associate this city mainly with ancient history, but it also played a role in the history of Christianity. Here, in the years of the Ottoman raids, Christian refugees flocked to the Golsky Monastery, seeking shelter in the mountains, so these places are filled with special love for preserving the traditions of the faith. The monastery also houses one of the most famous Orthodox shrines in Greece - the icon Mother of God"Life-giving source". The appearance of this image is associated with the miraculous healing of a blind warrior that took place in the middle of the 5th century at a spring near Constantinople.

7. Crete

Crete is the largest Greek island, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. Christianity came here in the first century, through the work of a disciple of the Apostle Paul named Titus. He founded nine dioceses in Crete and died at a ripe old age. After the devastation of the island by the Saracens in the 9th century, only the Honest Head, the main shrine of Crete, remained from the relics of the Apostle Titus. It was returned to the island from Venice only 50 years ago, and is kept in the main apostolic cathedral. During its history, this cathedral and shrine passed from Orthodox to Catholics and Muslims many times, suffered from fires and raids, but many shrines were carefully preserved by Christians and are now open for worship. The most important shrine of the island is the monastery of Panagia Paliani. It is known throughout the world thanks to the miraculous tree and the icon of the Blessed Virgin - Panagia Faneromeni. Praying to this face, over time, believers began to notice that the tree depicted on the icon began to sprout and take roots, and the image began to disappear in its branches. The ancient myrtle tree, in the branches of which only children can see the face of the Most Holy Theotokos, still grows at the monastery.

8. Patras

Apostle Andrew the First-Called is dedicated to countless churches. But the most significant among them, without a doubt, is the white marble cathedral in the Greek city of Patras. In this city, the Saint spent the last years of his life and performed miracles that brought many people to the church. Here he was martyred for Christ, undergoing crucifixion on a special cross, which later began to be called by his name, St. Andrew's. This is the largest and one of the most revered temples in Greece. It was erected on the alleged site of the crucifixion of the apostle, and keeps great shrines Christendom: The honest head of St. Andrew and the remains of the cross on which he was crucified. Near the temple, from the day of the crucifixion of the apostle, a holy spring beats.

9. Athens

Few people know, but the history of one of the most famous symbols of Greece - the Athenian Parthenon - is closely connected with Orthodoxy. For most of its history, it was not used for pagan rites, as we used to perceive it from history books, but was a Christian temple. In the 5th century, the Parthenon became an Orthodox church of Holy Wisdom, and was later renamed in honor of the Mother of God. The Parthenon kept many treasures of the Church: the relics of St. Macarius the Great and the Gospel, personally copied by the holy Empress Elena. In the 13th century, Athens came under the rule of the Catholics and the Parthenon turned the temple of Notre Dame d'Athen. As a reminder of the liturgical life in the Parthenon, a fragment of the fresco of the Annunciation can still be seen on the upper part of one of the inner walls.

10. Rhodes

Filerimos Monastery is remarkable not only for its history, but also for its stunning panoramic views of the island. In order to get to the monastery, the pilgrim must go uphill along the road called "The Way to Calvary" and equal to the length of the path of Jesus Christ to the place of crucifixion. Every year, thousands of women from all over the world come to the monastery of Our Lady of Tsambika in the hope of knowing the joy of motherhood. The icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, kept here, is known for the fact that for centuries it has patronized all families that flow to it, and through prayers before it, women get rid of infertility.

11. Patmos

For believers, this small island is a whole spiritual universe, because it was here, in the Apocalypse cave, that the Revelation of God appeared to the holy Apostle John the Theologian. The locals call the island the younger brother of the monastic republic of Athos: more than 50 churches and monasteries are located on the small area of ​​the island. The pilgrimage to Patmos has become an industry, annually hosting millions of Christians from all over the planet. But not every guide will tell you that exactly the cave where the Apostle of Love dictated his Revelation to his disciple Prochorus is not located in the large monastery of John the Theologian, but on a hillside halfway from the village of Chora to the port of Skala, in a tiny monastery in honor of the Revelation .

12. Tinos

The Tinos icon of the Mother of God miraculously appeared at a difficult time, when the bloody struggle for liberation from the Ottomans continued in Greece in the 19th century. The Greeks especially revere this image, calling it Megalokhari - Great Joy. The icon was found from under the ground, according to a vision given by the Mother of God herself to the modest nun Pelagia: the image lay under oppression for about 800 years, but retained its appearance and colors. This image is especially revered by the Greeks themselves: from generation to generation they pass on evidence of the intercession of the Mother of God, and through prayers before this icon, thousands of miracles occurred. According to the custom here, they kneel to worship this miraculous image. For this, a narrow carpet path was laid out from the port itself to the temple, along which a string of pilgrims stretches daily.

Today we will leave the restless Thessaloniki and go to the surroundings. In addition, Grekoblog specifically focuses on the intricacies of behavior in local temples, which you will almost certainly encounter when visiting Holy places not only in Northern Greece, but throughout Hellas.

The first place we would like to go to today is not far from Thessaloniki - in the town of Suroti. Here is located convent of St. John the Evangelist. Pilgrims from many countries flock here to venerate the grave of the elder Paisius the Holy Mountaineer, who died in 1994 and has not yet been canonized. Despite this, believers come to his grave with deep gratitude in their souls for the consolation, enlightenment and love that they received from the elder. In many ways, this is the merit of the nuns of the monastery, who wrote down the words of the elder in a kind of stories or sermons, simple and accessible, which over time accumulated into several books published and translated, including into Russian.

Finding a monastery without a map or a navigator is not very easy, but once you find it, you don’t want to leave here. Unusually well-groomed, spacious, but modest, its neat appearance, pleasing to the eye, it owes to the efforts of the nuns living in it. Here and there you will see elegant flower beds, and the general mountain landscape ideally complements the post-Byzantine monastic architecture traditional for Greece. Treats are always on display for guests in the yard: Turkish delight and pure water from a holy spring.

Monastery of St. John the Theologian is located near Thessaloniki in the town of Suroti

In this place, friendliness and silence, cordiality and solitude are combined in the most amazing way.

Not far from the monastery of St. John the Theologian, in the mountains of Hortiatis, more than a thousand years ago, a Monastery of St. Anastasia, which still functions as a functioning male monastery, where the relics of St. Anastasia herself are kept. It is completely different from the hospitable and well-groomed monastery of John the Theologian, but it fascinates with a special, slightly harsh and very ancient atmosphere, which tells about the thousand-year history of the monastery. From its walls, like hundreds of years ago, a view of the Macedonian valley opens, even now almost untouched by civilization.

For those who have one more day left, it will become unforgettable, to the ancient monastery of St. Dionysius(XVI century). The monastery is hidden in the mountains on the slopes of the gorge and it is not easy to find it even in our time, and even earlier, until the road was laid, it was almost impossible at all: during the period of the Turkish yoke, the monks, seeking peace and security, went away from the Muslims far into the mountains. The monastery was blown up by the invaders during the Second World War, and restoration work is still underway, but the temple itself and the refectory are already open to the public. Before founding a monastery, St. Dionysius lived as a hermit in one of the caves of Mount Olympus, where he died in 1541. A path leads from the monastery to the cave, where a miniature church is now built - a place of constant pilgrimage for Christians. Hike to the cave along a mountain path for people who are not accustomed to physical activity, can be regarded as a small feat of faith ... the journey in one direction takes about half an hour.

The monastery of St. Dionysius on Mount Olympus is very difficult to find

The relics of St. Dionysius were transferred to the monastery he founded, where they rest now, in the left vestibule of the temple.

In the courtyard of the temple you will find a consecrated mountain spring with cold drinking water, which, both in heat and cold, gives pilgrims new strength ...

Our last goal is the Tembi Gorge with a small rock temple of St. Paraskeva. When driving through Tembi, be careful not to miss the only parking lot in the place of Agia Paraskevi, from which you can cross the suspension bridge to the other side of the gorge to the temple. According to Tradition, it was in this gorge that St. Paraskeva of Rome, a Christian martyr of the 2nd century, who is considered a healer of eye ailments, was arrested. Here, at the beginning of the 20th century, during the construction of the railway, an icon of the saint was miraculously found. Those seeking healing, as well as all the believers who came to bow to St. Paraskeva, go to venerate the source. To do this, they need to literally go inside the rock along a short but narrow passage. Only two people can disperse there, so it is better to quietly and patiently observe the queue.

If you have not been to Greece before and are preparing to go on a tour of the Holy Places, then it will be useful for you to familiarize yourself with some of the features of Greek Orthodox traditions:

• Candles in Greek temples lie in candle boxes in free access. You can take the required amount, and throw a coin of the corresponding value into a special slot. If you do not have change in local currency with you, this is not a reason not to light a candle: it's okay, fill it up at the next church if possible.
• Gypsies at the entrance to the church may persuade you to buy candles from them. They, in turn, take bundles of them from candle boxes - do, of course, as your conscience tells you, but keep in mind that the church will definitely not see this money.
• In Greek Orthodox Church women can enter bareheaded and in trousers - the main thing is that their shoulders and knees are covered. At the entrance to the monastery, the rules are stricter: therefore, at the door, as a rule, for visitors there are long skirts and shoulder scarves. Men in shorts above the knee are also undesirable, but, unfortunately, there are no stocks of long trousers for them.
• Taking pictures is allowed as much as you like outside the temple, but inside in 90% of cases they will ask you to hide the camera - treat this with understanding. Openly photographing monks is also not entirely ethical.
• Greek Orthodox churches, unlike Russian ones, almost always have dense rows of chairs separated by an aisle in the middle. The women sit on the left, the men on the right. But all parishioners listen to certain parts of the service while standing.
• Almost every monastery and many churches have a small source of holy water, which you can drink without hesitation and, if you wish, pour it into a bottle to take with you.
• Most Greeks, young and old, are baptized whenever they see a church. When using local public transport, do not be alarmed if half the bus suddenly starts making the sign of the cross - this is not related to some kind of accident on the road, you just drive past the temple.
• Almost every temple has a small annex, a kind of chapel with a holy image and a candle box; even if you are in a hurry, dressed lightly and there is no time to enter the church, you can always look into such a chapel along the way, light a candle and read a short prayer.
• Before you go to the monastery, find out about its opening hours.

Greece captivates with the beauty of nature: there are gentle warm seas, and mountains in a blue haze, and silver-green olive groves to the horizon. But the main wealth of this country is Orthodox shrines, which attract Christians from all over the world.

On a visit to the Holy Mountain

Most often, pilgrims start their journey from Thessaloniki, where the first churches were founded by the Apostle Paul in the year 50 from the birth of Christ. At the beginning of the 4th century, the warrior Demetrius, who became the heavenly patron of the city, was martyred here. The basilica of the saint stands on the site of his original burial, in the very center of the old city. There is a well inside the temple, where the body of the martyr was hidden after death. The relics of St. Demetrius streamed myrrh abundantly until the 15th century, and there was so much peace that for him it was necessary to build small stone pools near the shrine, which have survived to this day.

And in the suburbs of Thessaloniki is the monastery of John the Theologian. Elder Paisius Svyatogorets is buried there and the relics of St. Arseny of Cappadocia - once it was he who baptized the monk of the Holy Mountain so revered in Russia. Even during his lifetime, Father Arseny was revered as a miracle worker by both Christians and even Muslims - both bodily and spiritual ailments were healed through his prayers. If the patient could not come himself, relatives brought his clothes, Father Arseniy read a prayer over it, and the sufferer was healed. And the Muslims asked for at least the ashes from his censer - as medicine.

Saint Paisius the Holy Mountaineer

Where do they sail to Athos

A hundred kilometers from Thessaloniki is Ouranoupoli, a quiet town surrounded by pine forests. In the center of it on the embankment stands an ancient tower from the time of Andronicus Palaiologos, built in the 14th century to protect against pirates. At its foot is a pier, from where ships leave for Athos. As you know, only men who have also received a special visa, diamonitirion, can enter the monastic republic. And for everyone else, boat trips are made along the southwestern coast of Athos.

Monastery of St. Panteleimon or New Russik. Currently, 70 monks from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus are working in the monastery. Shrines of the monastery - the head of the martyr. Panteleimon, particles of the relics of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, app. Alpheus, Timothy, James, Peter, Andrew, Luke, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew and Barnabas and many other saints

Between heaven and earth

However, in Greece there is another monastic republic, and everyone can already get there: these are Meteors - “soaring between heaven and earth” - this is how this name is translated.

In the middle of the Thessalian plain, on the flat tops of sheer cliffs, the height of which reaches 400 meters, there are monasteries - six active monasteries have survived to this day. The first monks appeared here before the 20th century, but they lived separately, gathering only for the Liturgy in the temple of the city of Stagi, which lies at the foot of the rocks. And in the XIV century, the monk Athanasius, who arrived from Athos, began the construction of the first monastery of the Great Meteor. More than twenty monasteries were built after him.

The Monk Athanasius of Meteora introduced the Rule of Athos for all the monks laboring in these places, and thus laid the foundation for a new monastic republic, which flourished in the 16th century. For five hundred years, monasteries could only be accessed by hanging ladders or nets, which were lifted up with a winch. Only at the beginning of the last century, stone steps were cut through the rocks, and now it is not difficult to climb to the monastery gates.

After the fall of Byzantium, Meteora became the center for the preservation and development of Byzantine painting - the most beautiful frescoes became one of the main attractions of local temples. Each of the cloisters of Meteora keeps something special: for example, in the monastery of St. Stephen as the greatest shrine, the honest head of the first martyr is revered, the Great Meteor Monastery has a wonderful museum of monastic life and unique icons. And the most picturesque views open from the monastery of the Holy Trinity - according to the monastery chronicle, it took seventy years to raise all the materials for its construction.

Mystery of Patmos

But Greece is also 1400 islands lying in several seas surrounding the country. The name of the island of Patmos is dear to the heart of every Orthodox - here, in the cave of Revelation, the Apostle John the Theologian wrote the book of the Apocalypse, the most mysterious book of the New Testament.

The monastery in the name of the holy apostle was built a thousand years ago, but almost did not change its appearance. In it you can bow to the honest head of St. Thomas and the relics of St. Theodore Stratilates. The monastery keeps many ancient and rare things: for example, the Gospel of Mark of the 6th century, two hundred original Byzantine icons, more than six hundred items of ancient church vestments, a collection of golden liturgical vessels - some of these treasures can be seen in the museum.

Island of St. Spyridon

Corfu, or Kerkyra - the largest of the islands of the Ionian Sea - is famous as the resting place of the relics of St. Spyridon Trimifuntsky, Empress Theodora, who banned iconoclasm, and the seventy apostles Jason and Sosipater.

Saint Spyridon, the greatest wonderworker in the history of the Church after Saint Nicholas, was born and lived in the 3rd century in Cyprus. He participated in the First Ecumenical Council, convened in Nicaea by the emperor Constantine the Great, and during the debate with the Aryan heretics, he performed a miracle, explaining the essence of the Trinity: a flame burst out of a piece of tile, then water flowed out, and dry clay remained in the saint’s hand. After that, almost all heretics returned to the confession of Orthodoxy. The quiet and modest Saint Spyridon performed many miracles - he healed the sick, resurrected the dead, once during the Liturgy the choir of Angels sang to him.

Five times a year, a procession with the relics of the saint takes place in Corfu: they are carried vertically in a glass reliquary, like an acting hierarch on the episcopal throne. The testimony of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol about a miracle that occurred at one of these religious processions has been preserved. One of the English travelers, observing the procession, suggested that the body of the saint was embalmed, after which the relics rose from the shrine and turned their backs to the doubter.

To John the Russian

The island of Euboea is located near Athens - through a narrow strait, which was formed as a result of an earthquake. In 1924, after the population exchange between Turkey and Greece, the relics of St. John the Russian.

In 1711, after the victory of the Turkish troops over the army of Peter I, the young soldier John was captured by the enemy, sold in the slave market and lived the rest of his life in slavery. The owner forced him to convert to Islam, but John refused, promising faithful service if there were no encroachments on the confession of the Orthodox faith. The owner agreed, and for many years, until his death, John conscientiously looked after the horses. Next to the owner's house was christian temple, in which John often spent his nights in prayer and received communion every week. In captivity, John spent twenty years of a righteous life and honest service. Three years after the death of the humble slave, a radiance appeared over his grave, after which they opened the grave and found the incorruptible relics of the saint, and even the earth around the coffin emitted a fragrance - Christians and Muslims took this land for themselves as a particle of the shrine. Righteous John the Russian is widely revered on Mount Athos, especially in the Russian Panteleimon Monastery.

Better to see once

It can take a long time to list the numerous shrines of the Greek land - this land is rich in true treasures, however, as they say, it is better to see once than hear a hundred times. You can travel around Greece on your own, armed with guidebooks: numerous hotels are always happy to welcome guests, even if you decide to check in at two in the morning, and renting a car gives you freedom of movement and saves time. But if there is no experience and confidence in independent travel, a pilgrimage with an organized group would be an excellent option, since the choice of trips to Greece is great. You can choose a trip combined with a beach holiday, or you can only go on a pilgrimage - for example, the Pilgrimage Center of the Moscow Patriarchate offers one of the most intense routes for visiting the main shrines of Greece. But whichever option you choose, we can say with confidence - it will be an unforgettable trip.

The Pilgrimage Center of the Moscow Patriarchate offers one of the busiest routes for visiting the main shrines of Greece.

The variety of holy places on the island does not allow you to visit everything at once, making only one trip. Greece adheres to Orthodoxy, because 98% of the local population are Orthodox. The first city that welcomes pilgrims from all over the world is Thessaloniki - northern capital Greece Thessaloniki. Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is the patron saint of the city. In the fourth century, he was the son of the Roman proconsul of Thessaloniki, he baptized his son in the house church, and brought him up in accordance with Christian customs and principles. He was appointed by Emperor Galerius after the death of his father, in his place. After his appointment, he proved himself to be a true Christian, began to preach in the city and introduced Christianity to most of its inhabitants. By order of the emperor, he was killed for this.

The shrines visited by pilgrims in Thessaloniki are, first of all, Cathedral, in which the relics of the great saint of God, St. Gregory Palamas, are still kept. Also visit the monastery of St. Theodora the "obedient" Thessalonica, which keeps her holy relics, as well as the relics of St. David the Stylite of Thessalonica - he lived in the sixth century. One of the holy places is the source of Saint Praskevi, she was a Christian great martyr of the third century. Across the gorge there is a bridge along it and you can go to the rock church of St. Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa. The source is located in the depths of a narrow passage and is located in the mountain. The springs of St. Praskeviia are still being discovered in Russia. In the Central District of the city of Krasnoyarsk, a square was opened with full honors, in which the source of St. Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa is located. The source is named in her honor - St. Paraskeva-Friday. Another one is located in Staraya Ladoga under Malysheva Mountain. Many holy places and more than seventy churches are located in Kastoria, most of them from the Byzantine era. In addition to the Church of Mavriotis, the following are also known: the Church of St. Athanasios Muzaki (XIII century), the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries (XI century), the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archangel (XIV century).

decoration Orthodox churches in Greece, when compared with ours, more modest. If there is a church shop, then it is located next to the church building, and not indoors. Candles lie simply, without price tags, and everyone can take and put the amount they want. There is a special bowl for donations, and voluntary, where you need to put as much money as you can or as you see fit. Particularly attractive are small chapels, which are located almost everywhere in the country. They are installed along the sides of many roads - in honor of the memory of dead people in an accident.

One of the most visited places in Greece is Mount Athos, which means "Holy Mountain" in Greek. This is the third of the Halkidiki peninsulas. One of the main holy places in the world for Orthodox Athos is revered as the earthly Lot of the Virgin. The holy mountain is considered a "monastic republic", and autonomous, for more than ten centuries women have not been allowed there, men are more fortunate - they are welcome guests here. Today there are twenty monasteries there. Precious crosses are stored in them, parts of the life-giving tree of the Lord's cross, they store it in precious frames, miraculous icons, ancient sacred books, relics of the holy apostles and great martyrs.

The main monastery - Vatopedi keeps the priceless shrine of the whole Christian world - the belt of the Virgin, as well as the gifts of the Magi brought to the Fiflehem baby. There is also a Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon on the territory, it houses the second largest bell in the world, it weighs fifteen tons. On the territory of Athos, video filming is prohibited, you can take pictures on the street without permission - this is allowed, but inside the temple you need to have a blessing for this. In the holy place, in addition to prohibitions on filming, it is forbidden to sunbathe and swim. In the monastery of Esfigmen on Athos, entrance to the temple is allowed if a man is wearing a long-sleeve shirt, you can take one at the entrance. When visiting the rest of the temples, you just need to observe modest-looking clothing. If you declare when you come to the temple that you have come on an excursion or just to look at nature, then you will be refused a visit to the holy place.

Another Holy place the island of Patmos. Here is the monastery of John the Theologian, the date of foundation of which is 1088. One of the largest Christian libraries is located in the monastery, the earliest manuscripts of which date back to the fifth century. Near the monastery there is a cave where John the Theologian received his "Revelation", which was recorded by his disciple Prokhor. Even a recess in the wall has been preserved, in the place where the apostle leaned against it. The cave and monastery are protected by UNESCO and listed as a World Heritage Site.