Serbia stamps year 2001 – Monasteries on Athos – MNH set

Serbia stamps year 2001 – Monasteries on Athos – MNH set

The monasteries of Mount Athos, often referred to as the “Holy Mountain,” are a collection of Eastern Orthodox monastic communities located on the Athos peninsula in Greece. Monasticism on Mount Athos dates back to the Byzantine era, with the founding of the first monastery, the Great Lavra, in 963 AD by Athanasius the Athonite. Mount Athos is an autonomous region within Greece, governed by the “Holy Community” (a council of representatives from the monasteries) and under the direct spiritual jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some of the most notable monasteries on Mount Athos include:

• Great Lavra
• Vatopedi
• Iviron
• Stavronikita
• Dionysiou
• Simonopetra
• Pantokrator
• Xeropotamou
• Koutloumousiou
• St. Panteleimon (Russian monastery)

These monasteries, along with others on Athos, form a vibrant and enduring spiritual community that continues to inspire believers and seekers from around the world.