Athonite Monastic States

The Athonite Monastic States are a group of autonomous monasteries located on Mount Athos in Greece, a sacred mountain renowned for Eastern Orthodox monasticism. Consisting of 20 monasteries and numerous smaller cells and sketes, they function as independent religious communities under a shared spiritual and administrative framework. Known for their centuries-old traditions of prayer, scholarship, and preservation of Byzantine culture, Mount Athos is a spiritual center for Orthodox Christians and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Access is restricted to men, and the monasteries maintain a unique historical and religious continuity, fostering monastic life rooted in deep spiritual discipline.