What I Learned From Visiting Mount Athos [Archived]

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  • Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
  • From May 27th to June 5th 2024, I was blessed with the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, one of the holiest places in all of Orthodoxy. This monastic republic is located on a peninsula in Greece. This episode chronicles the stories about my journey, what it was like meeting Athonite monastics, and what lessons I learned from the trip. Undoubtedly, it was one I will never forget. Thank you for listening and God bless!

Комментарии • 54

  • @stellajacovides9676
    @stellajacovides9676 2 месяца назад +17

    Thank you for this extraordinary podcast .
    My husband and I just returned from Greece , the cradle of Orthodoxy. He took a pilgrimage to Agion Oros , the Holy Mountain , with his Spiritual Father . They spent 3 days with the Monks at Xenophondas Monastery .
    They saw and experienced so much in those three days .
    The example of the Abbot and all the Monks was the most incredible witness . Their patient endurance , their desire to serve , their selflessness , their love was evident and impactful .
    The deep , spiritual conversations about life and the spiritual intimacy that evolves amongst those involved in the exchange was enriching and renewing for them . The many Holy Relics, the incredible chanting , the intensity and regularity of the worship experience was a fruitful spiritual exercise for him .
    The depth ,gentleness and strength of these men of God is so remarkable .
    Monastery visits are so important and growth encouraging . I pray that our Orthodox faithful will find Orthodox Monasteries nearby and visit them . Here in the USA, we have many .
    Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me , a sinner .🙏

    • @rigavitch
      @rigavitch 2 месяца назад +1

      Visiting St. John the Baptist Monastery in Essex, UK next Sunday. My first ever!
      So looking forward to it.
      Pray for us St. Sophrony of Essex
      ♥☦

  • @dybalover
    @dybalover 2 месяца назад +1

    Im a brazilian orthodox, even before i converted, alaways found monasticism extremely interesting, im planning a trip to greece next year, your video came out at the perfect time! Keep it up! ☦️🇧🇷

  • @yourneighbour3309
    @yourneighbour3309 2 месяца назад +1

    Amazing. Jealous. Great video!

  • @emilpapailiou982
    @emilpapailiou982 2 месяца назад +12

    The life of the monks is a great testament on the strength Faith can give to the human soul/spirit over the body when. They deny themselves so much of the world, they chose a life with so little, yet they still can manage to make us feel so poor and small spiritually.
    God bless you, for making this long trip! I truly wish for you and all the Orthodox brothers that live so far away, to be blessed with the opportunity to travel again (or the first time), to this Holy place.

  • @joachimjustinmorgan4851
    @joachimjustinmorgan4851 2 месяца назад +9

    I was able to stay for several weeks at Mt. Athos by working for friends of Mt. Athos and they paid for our airfare from England. I stayed a week and a 1/2 at Vadopedi, and then 1/2 a week at Pantocrator. I always recommend people that are able to, to work for FOMA. It’s very worth it.

  • @LadderOfDescent
    @LadderOfDescent 2 месяца назад +5

    JEALOUS. God bless you

  • @pavelcrestin1
    @pavelcrestin1 2 месяца назад +3

    We are waiting forward for you guys to visit Romania, especially the Northern part of it! It is full of monasteries. Even Father Josiah Trenham has been visiting it.

  • @Nektariosthebased5150
    @Nektariosthebased5150 2 месяца назад +4

    Glory to God for His Church!

  • @Sharon-hn9wn
    @Sharon-hn9wn 2 месяца назад +4

    Thank you for sharing your experience at Athos. May the monks pray for all of us.🙏

  • @scottparker8394
    @scottparker8394 2 месяца назад +13

    Thank you for this amazing story. I feel the same way about seeing an Orthodox "in the wild". I live in southern Mississippi and, to my knowledge, have never seen another Orthodox in the wild. As far as I know, I am the only Orthodox Christian in my county. I have to drive 2 hours to my Church, but it is so worth it. Thank you for the great content.

    • @LololoLubago
      @LololoLubago 2 месяца назад

      Don’t worry brother the whole world is gonna turn Orthodox within our live times❤️

  • @joshuamkk
    @joshuamkk 2 месяца назад +6

    Glory to God, Your channel will be a beacon of light

  • @LayTheeDown
    @LayTheeDown 2 месяца назад +6

    Thanks for sharing your story brother. God bless you.

  • @johnnyd2383
    @johnnyd2383 2 месяца назад +9

    Excellent story telling and perspective brother.! ☦☦☦

  • @c.f9639
    @c.f9639 2 месяца назад +20

    No way dude I am so jealous of you

  • @tupacamaruiv5804
    @tupacamaruiv5804 2 месяца назад +6

    Fantastic. Thank you. God bless ☦️

  • @Theoretically-ko6lr
    @Theoretically-ko6lr 2 месяца назад +6

    Glory to God ❤

  • @ThinkingChrist
    @ThinkingChrist 2 месяца назад +6

    This is gonna be awesome 👏

  • @hamontequila1104
    @hamontequila1104 2 месяца назад +1

    im “caholic” (can’t go to church) but man I would give ALOT in order to go to athos

  • @jojo_manolo
    @jojo_manolo 2 месяца назад +3

    This was a great story ! I’ve walked to the store listening to this & going to be walking home doing the same
    Edit: I’m even in the store and line listening, amazing story

  • @AndronikosNikephoros
    @AndronikosNikephoros 2 месяца назад +3

    Greetings brother ☦️🙏🏻
    Αλλελούια

  • @alejandrocanizales4519
    @alejandrocanizales4519 2 месяца назад +3

    Where are you at in TN? Im in Tri Cities area.
    As well, I'm jealous (of the good kind). 👍

    • @untoages
      @untoages  2 месяца назад +1

      @@alejandrocanizales4519 I actually just moved this past weekend, but I’m about 45 minutes from Nashville.

    • @alejandrocanizales4519
      @alejandrocanizales4519 2 месяца назад

      @@untoages do you know Fr. Christopher?
      I met him when we were at the hospital in Nashville. He is such a great priest; my wife and I loved him!

    • @untoages
      @untoages  2 месяца назад

      @@alejandrocanizales4519 I do, he’s awesome!

    • @CosmicMystery7
      @CosmicMystery7 2 месяца назад

      I live in the Tri Cities as well! Do you attend Christ the Savior or St. Tikhon?

  • @Madolehag
    @Madolehag 2 месяца назад +1

    ❤❤☦️☦️☦️

  • @OrthobroJames
    @OrthobroJames 2 месяца назад +7

    I would love to go at some point, I will have to talk to my priest. If you don't mind me asking how much money was spent for flights and going there for one person? So I can gague how much to save up

    • @untoages
      @untoages  2 месяца назад +4

      @@OrthobroJames It’s definitely not cheap and it depends on how far ahead of time you purchase your tickets. I booked about two months in advance and it was a little over $4K. You’ll also need to factor in hotel, the drive to Ouranoupoli, food, etc. which could be another $2K. Thankfully I received some financial assistance from someone at my parish, otherwise I would not have been able to swing it.

    • @OrthobroJames
      @OrthobroJames 2 месяца назад +2

      @@untoages Wow okay, I will see how I can acquire such funds. Thank you, also I'm really enjoying your content, it's very needed these days in a small attention span western world, short, concise content that nails every point down perfectly, God bless you

    • @untoages
      @untoages  2 месяца назад +1

      @@OrthobroJames Thank you so much, God bless!

    • @CosmicMystery7
      @CosmicMystery7 2 месяца назад +2

      If you're able to drive to Chicago or DC to catch a flight and travel in the off-season, you can probably find round-trip airfare for around $1K.

    • @wildrose2662
      @wildrose2662 2 месяца назад

      There are many very affordable flights from the UK to Thessaloniki, particularly from 'no frills' airlines like Rtanair or Wizz air.
      I've jusr looked at Ryanair flights; if you fly from London Stanstead [around £12 from Victoria Coach Station; get there by coach from Heathrow, again around £12, much cheaper and more comfortable than train]] in September 2024, for example, you can fly out on the 31st for only £24.99 and return to London on the 26th October for just £42.79. Luggage is extra; travel light and buy extra if needed from local markets or shops.There are Greek bus services from Thessaloniki Airport to Ouranopolis as well as nearby towns. We stayed outside Thessaloniki and hired a car from Haniotis Cars; much better value than airport cars. Stay overnight at a clean hostel/hotel in Thessaloniki if necessary. Hiring a car with driver is very expensive.
      We were selfcatering and I loved using the fresh produce at the markets rather than spending too much on restaurants!You can easily assemble tasty nutritious salads without needing a kitchen!
      Take a few days to acclimatize before rushing to Mount Athos to avoid being overtired and jetlagged.
      Three monasteries in Halkidiki are pilgrimage 'musts' as well. Others too! Check opening times for pilgrims before going. Monasteries are usually closed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Often the main Liturgy is at night and you may need special permission to attend. Modest clothing a mus, as you knowt.
      St Paisios reposed at St John the Theologian Monastery, Souroti, near Thessaloniki. I understand you can also go by local buses there, or join a day pilgirmage to venerate his holy relics and spend time at this beautiful monastery of onuns, intent on a life of constant prayer.. They also publish books by St Paisios. This is a short video about a visit there. Please see other videos with St Paisios! ruclips.net/video/K-wo7BLZbKM/видео.htmlsi=2EsazdGesp8jjy-Y
      Ormylia Monastery, in the little town of Vatopedi, Sithonia , is a must visit. Go on a Sunday if you can [as well as other open days] as then it's possible to go to a daytime service in their main church. Arrive around midday and experience wonderful hospitality from the nuns who come from around the world as well as Greece. You will be able to venerate the holy relics of the Monastery's founder Archmanderite Aimilianos, who reposed in 2021. Please read his books, ponder his videos, and spend time at this outstanding monastery to taste something of their deep authentic, joyful monastic life . This monastery is a sister monastery and a Dependency of Simonopetros Monastery, Mount Athos. Stay nearby in a b&b or small hotel if you can This is a short video. They have a good website too..ruclips.net/video/wn6HwxipeZI/видео.htmlsi=LYq7ixG1MpH_vuPZ
      Nearby is the male monastery of St Arsenius. It's on a hill overlooking the sea and with views of the beautiful fertile country around. The Priest Monks and Monks have a real sense of holiness. St Arsenius was the Spiritual Father of St Paisios.
      Use the internet to find local places to stay, up-to-datebus timetables, etc. May God bless you and others on your Pilgrimage!

  • @user-yg2ms9od5s
    @user-yg2ms9od5s 2 месяца назад +1

    Awesome video! Would love an editing tutorial, your editing is top notch 🔥

    • @untoages
      @untoages  2 месяца назад +1

      @@user-yg2ms9od5s Thank you! I’ll consider it. I don’t think this channel would be the place for it, but I may do one at some point!

  • @manwe254
    @manwe254 2 месяца назад +8

    "And that is how I got saved by Billy Graham." 😂 Hilarious! ☦️

  • @beauty.of.the.struggle
    @beauty.of.the.struggle 2 месяца назад

    Random question, but what's your intro music?

  • @leolazaris1010
    @leolazaris1010 2 месяца назад +1

    I think you get Ouzo to drink not Vodka. Ouzo is the traditional liquor served in Greece.

    • @untoages
      @untoages  2 месяца назад

      @@leolazaris1010 Interesting! I can’t read Greek so I can’t confirm nor deny, but you’re probably right.

    • @stevepa999
      @stevepa999 2 месяца назад +3

      Ouzo or Tsipouro.

    • @kristaps5296
      @kristaps5296 2 месяца назад +1

      You get tsipouro.

  • @eremite2693
    @eremite2693 2 месяца назад +4

    You should've stay longer. You seemed rushed

    • @untoages
      @untoages  2 месяца назад +5

      @@eremite2693 I was there for about a week, but yes - Mt. Athos can’t be fully experienced in one trip, even if you’re there for a month. I hope to visit again one day.

    • @eremite2693
      @eremite2693 2 месяца назад +1

      @@untoagesif you gonna go so far on such an arduous trip, you should stay longer. Seems like just the travel took you 3 days.

    • @untoages
      @untoages  2 месяца назад +5

      @@eremite2693 Unfortunately, only so much can be done. Many of us (myself included) couldn’t afford to take weeks off from work. I agree though, it would have been nice to stay longer.

    • @Razamaniac
      @Razamaniac 2 месяца назад +1

      @@untoages the next time will be completely different, every trip to Mt Athos is completely different, you can't imagine !!!

  • @Greasy__Bear
    @Greasy__Bear 2 месяца назад

    I was making a golgotha icon and it looks a bit like your profile pic. Now I'm starting to think its a bit too creepy for me.

  • @ericschlebus6488
    @ericschlebus6488 2 месяца назад

    God never called us to monasteries or never have families or enjoy life. We are called to "Go into the world and make disciples".

    • @kristaps5296
      @kristaps5296 2 месяца назад

      Yes, like John the baptist. He had a large family and had crazy fun all day.

  • @GEX-_-
    @GEX-_- 2 месяца назад +2

    If you dont find marriage, your supposed to find monastic life
    The royal path is not for everyone
    Its for the chosen few
    Orthodox monastic life is about
    Living life in the ways taught down through the ages by our elders.
    His church turns people's into saint's
    His church shows us the way
    Lord Iisoús Xhristos son of God please have mercy on us all, a sinner.
    🕊🫡ΑΜ☦ήΝ🫡🕊