A recent editorial about Mount Athos

[Antonios]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-0701060262jan07,0,2312914.story?coll=chi-travel-hed

[Paul Cowan]

That's a nice piece, but I would swear I had read that article virtually word for word from the Athos website or perhaps the Friends of Athos website.

I am trying to make plans to go this coming summer. Does anyone know if the folks speak English well enough to let me on the ferry? I will probable only be able to learn enough Greek to ask where the bathroom is.

I know there is a process to get proper paperwork in order. How long should I expect the process to take? Thanks for any advice.
Paul

[Fr Seraphim (Black)]

A very fair article, though there are plenty of female birds and cats on Mount Athos. Since the author is non-Orthodox, I felt he gave a genuine, sincere reflection. He states that he needed to be away from his business and found the necessary 'break' on Mount Athos. I was pleased with the article. Compare it with the National Geographic article on 'Byzantium' (December, 1983) which contains beautiful photos, but an abysmal text. (It can be found at any library.)

The photos are by James Stanfield. On Athos he did an excellent job. We enjoyed helping him getting the proper lighting using a small generator as at that time there was no electricity. (Actually the photos were done during Great Lent of 1982.) There is an excellent photo of Hieromonk Macarius of the Holy Monastery of Simons Petras holding the relics of an abbot. Abbot Vasilios at the Holy Monastery of Stavronikita would not at first allow the photo of the extremely beautiful mosaic icon of St. Nicholas, but finally relented! If you look closely you may even see yours truly. I was actually the cook that year!

Paul:

You will have absolutley no problems either with the boat, or getting on it, or anything else. The Mother of God takes care of all sincere pilgrims.

Have the paperwork done in Thessaloniki (the address and phone number is on the 'Friends' website).

Go to the office on one day, then on the next day they will have your legal paper ready (they will tell you when to come and pick it up) to present at Ouranopolis. (They speak fluent English at the office where you will fill in the proper forms).

You pick up your 'diamonitirion' at Ouranopolis, BE SURE do this before approaching the ferry, because the ferry definitely leaves on time!! You can not get on the ferry without the 'diamonitirion' (passport).

It is good to have a letter from your parish priest explaining your sincere desire to go as a pilgrim. Only clergy need a letter from their Bishop. The letters can be in English.

You will also be surprised by the number of monks who speak English on the Mountain.

It will be a very blessed experience. It is TRULY the Garden of the Virgin Mary.

[Paul Cowan]

Thank you Father Seraphim:
I will either upload my experience and pictures here or provide a website link. I have wanted to go and venerate the Holy place for so long. I feel from my studies of the Holy Mountain and it's Saints, I could find my way around every inch. Though I still cannot pronounce a single Monastery name. But that will come.

Paul