@@chrismichalop9361 Yes indeed, we were blessed to have stayed there, which is not easy. They showed us around the monastery, including the library and the water heater room (!) All fully modern and in excellent shape. We sat on the evening chatting with a monk on the topmost balcony and attended the service and venerated the hand of St Mary Magdalene, still warm to the touch to the lips. You don't get closer than that. I have kissed the skull of St Andrew too and numerous other saints. The day after we struggled down the mountain over to St Georgious. Wonderful!
@locksmith9498 I am reading this almost at midnight on the nc calendar feast day of St. Mary Magdalene. I have never heard that before. Knew nothing about it.. I wonder if it is the same hand thar held the egg that turned red..
Panagia was always the Boss there!... When there were only women and no men. There were trained to be a good mother and a strong and balanced woman throught arts. How things changed!
This icon was brought to the Iviron monastery from Constantinople! It is said that it’s one of the three icons of Theotokos that St. John painted himself. During the Iconoclast era they tried to destroy it and one iconoclast hit it with his sword. Even to this day the icon has the mark of this attack and red stains of blood coming out from the icon!!!! It was thrown to the see by the faithful Christians asking from Theotokos to take the icon wherever she likes. The icon stood on top of the sea and it started moving. Years later it appeared at the shores of Iviron Monastery. The monks saw a fiery-pillar of light at the sea so they went to see what it is and they saw the icon. But when they tried to retrieve it the icon was moving further away. They did a paraklesis and they asked from Theotokos to give them her icon. The same night a monk saw Her telling him to walk over the water and take it! When they got it, they placed it at the Katholikón, the central church of the monastery but the icon was miraculously moving above the entrance of the monastery. That happened several times and Theotokos appeared again to the same monk but this time she looked angry! She told him: “Gabriel, why are you messing with my icon? Why do you disturbing me? I came here to protect you and not you to protect me! Leave my icon as it is and I will be forever you caretaker! I asked a favour from my Son and He granted it! As long as you will see my icon in your monastery the Holy Mountain will be an impregnable castle and Orthodox will be safe. But the day that you’ll see my icon missing it will be my warning that the day of judgment is near…”
Well explained, I believe that Athos also goes by Byzantine/Eastern Roman law still. On a side note, some of the comments under this video are just ridiculous. So much unnecessary disrespect of women, being "obnoxious" and whatever. You miss the point entirely, the reason that there is no women on Athos is that the monastics will not stumble and fall into temptation. Women are no less blessed than us men, and deserve our respect. Do not let the odd unfeminine women make you say that women are this or that; they are beautiful, and made in the image of God. Indeed, they are sacred vessels. God can touch women in a way he cannot touch men. He can fill them with life. The number one reason why head coverings are blessed is because only sacred vessels are veiled, and thus, women are sacred.
It was frequent practice until recently to have gender segregated monasteries. In women's monasteries, only a priest would be allowed - usually an elderly priest, by invitation only, to perform the mysteries. If memory serves, Saint Pachomius had convents and monasteries that were like this - the only time they would ever co-mingle was a priest going across to the convent by invitation from the Abbess for services. Nothing to do with hating women, or men.
@@dantobarbarian4842It doesn't matter what anyone of us thinks, we have no authority. It was like that for more than millenia, it will always stay like that. Let us all be humble to the Christ and His church. That is all that matters.
@@dantobarbarian4842 I didn't said "don't think at all", I said it is not for us laymen to say what and how should the Church be. There are rules, and we orthodox christians respect them, because they are a part of a tradition that is old more than 2000 years. That is all. You misunderstood me.
My brother visited Mt Athos many years ago and a Monk explained to him the reason female animals are not allowed is because during mating season it would become noisy.
She is the founder of Esfigmenou monastery. There's a painting of her in the Church of Esfigmenou. St. Pulcheria the Virgin... There are documents that prove that.
No they do not forbiden female animals. You find female cats thousands of female cats, thousands of female birds. There are no other animals beside insects living there. But if there was they would be there. It is the place for Men to dedicate their lives to God and their brotherhood and not to carnal pleasures. They have the sacred vote of celibacy! And by that logically, women are forbiden to avoid intrigues and to allow Monks to not loose themselfs. Be honest please.
Monasteries establish rules for respect. If some monasteries won't allow shorts to be worn, and have phone rules, and in some parts of monasteries, absolute silence. You can't just assume that they'll wear yoga pants, make Instagram posts etc.
with all due respect theotokosthe not dedicated the land on which the mount athos developed to her son for the purpose of the saveation of the soulnesses which would go there ratherbut she asked her son to dedicate the forementioned to her for the purpose of the forementioned thankweyou
I respect this tradition, but it makes me sad that us women will never have the chance to venerate all these holy icons and relics on Mouth Athos or meet any of the elders 😔
Dear @nvnataly, yes, you are right. The traditions must be followed and you should not feel bad you are woman and you are not allowed to get at Mouth Athos.
Simply put Because they are a distraction, especially with how obnoxious 'women' have become these days, even in the church and monks do not need added temptation.
Well, there are women in Orthodoxy but they are typically geriatric or worldly gossiping loud mouths, it's rare to find an Orthodox woman who is based in tradition. But they do exist.
My elder brother is a monk (Ιερομόναχος) on Mount Athos (Άγιον Όρος), at Simonopetra monastery.
May God bless all of us!
Father Iakovos? Been there in Oct 2022.
@@locksmith9498 No, he's not. My brother is fr Gervasios (π. Γερβάσιος). I hope that was a spiritual gain for yourself.
@@chrismichalop9361 Yes indeed, we were blessed to have stayed there, which is not easy. They showed us around the monastery, including the library and the water heater room (!) All fully modern and in excellent shape. We sat on the evening chatting with a monk on the topmost balcony and attended the service and venerated the hand of St Mary Magdalene, still warm to the touch to the lips. You don't get closer than that. I have kissed the skull of St Andrew too and numerous other saints. The day after we struggled down the mountain over to St Georgious. Wonderful!
@locksmith9498 I am reading this almost at midnight on the nc calendar feast day of St. Mary Magdalene. I have never heard that before. Knew nothing about it..
I wonder if it is the same hand thar held the egg that turned red..
Great explanation Father. Thank you!
Panagia is the boss there
Panagia was always the Boss there!... When there were only women and no men. There were trained to be a good mother and a strong and balanced woman throught arts. How things changed!
@ god bless you Maria to many women have lost their ways
EU trying to interfere with a monastery is sickening but not surprising.
God bless! ☦️☦️☦️
That’s interesting when the special icon of the Theotokos miraculously disappears, the monks can flee as there is no more protection.
This icon was brought to the Iviron monastery from Constantinople!
It is said that it’s one of the three icons of Theotokos that St. John painted himself.
During the Iconoclast era they tried to destroy it and one iconoclast hit it with his sword. Even to this day the icon has the mark of this attack and red stains of blood coming out from the icon!!!!
It was thrown to the see by the faithful Christians asking from Theotokos to take the icon wherever she likes. The icon stood on top of the sea and it started moving.
Years later it appeared at the shores of Iviron Monastery.
The monks saw a fiery-pillar of light at the sea so they went to see what it is and they saw the icon.
But when they tried to retrieve it the icon was moving further away.
They did a paraklesis and they asked from Theotokos to give them her icon.
The same night a monk saw Her telling him to walk over the water and take it!
When they got it, they placed it at the Katholikón, the central church of the monastery but the icon was miraculously moving above the entrance of the monastery.
That happened several times and Theotokos appeared again to the same monk but this time she looked angry!
She told him: “Gabriel, why are you messing with my icon? Why do you disturbing me? I came here to protect you and not you to protect me!
Leave my icon as it is and I will be forever you caretaker! I asked a favour from my Son and He granted it! As long as you will see my icon in your monastery the Holy Mountain will be an impregnable castle and Orthodox will be safe. But the day that you’ll see my icon missing it will be my warning that the day of judgment is near…”
Well explained, I believe that Athos also goes by Byzantine/Eastern Roman law still.
On a side note, some of the comments under this video are just ridiculous. So much unnecessary disrespect of women, being "obnoxious" and whatever. You miss the point entirely, the reason that there is no women on Athos is that the monastics will not stumble and fall into temptation. Women are no less blessed than us men, and deserve our respect. Do not let the odd unfeminine women make you say that women are this or that; they are beautiful, and made in the image of God. Indeed, they are sacred vessels. God can touch women in a way he cannot touch men. He can fill them with life. The number one reason why head coverings are blessed is because only sacred vessels are veiled, and thus, women are sacred.
With all respect ❤
It was frequent practice until recently to have gender segregated monasteries. In women's monasteries, only a priest would be allowed - usually an elderly priest, by invitation only, to perform the mysteries. If memory serves, Saint Pachomius had convents and monasteries that were like this - the only time they would ever co-mingle was a priest going across to the convent by invitation from the Abbess for services.
Nothing to do with hating women, or men.
Mount Athos must be incredibly peaceful.
🙏☦️
It was Serbian queen Milica, they carried her she didnt put one step on the soil
No, he is referring to Mara, the (Serbian?) Queen-Mother of Mehmed the conqueror.
That's just silly! These superstitions are unnecessary and I'm not sure Christ would agree with these priests who claim that are acting in his name.
@@dantobarbarian4842It doesn't matter what anyone of us thinks, we have no authority. It was like that for more than millenia, it will always stay like that. Let us all be humble to the Christ and His church. That is all that matters.
@@petargrkovic8058 yeah why think? Just be an NPC!
@@dantobarbarian4842 I didn't said "don't think at all", I said it is not for us laymen to say what and how should the Church be. There are rules, and we orthodox christians respect them, because they are a part of a tradition that is old more than 2000 years. That is all. You misunderstood me.
Wonderful explaination Dear Father ❤
My brother visited Mt Athos many years ago and a Monk explained to him the reason female animals are not allowed is because during mating season it would become noisy.
What is it about human nature that just won't accept directions?
Empress Pulcheria contributed to Mt Athos. I'm saying this as a fact, not as support for female presence.
She is the founder of Esfigmenou monastery. There's a painting of her in the Church of Esfigmenou.
St. Pulcheria the Virgin...
There are documents that prove that.
Did it bar women from the beginning or did it start at some point?
That is the way it has always been.
It is as the Theotokos wishes it to be.
You had me at “there are no women…”
You go to a monestary to deny your self and be close to christ not to fulfill your lusting desires
Amen
That’s the way it should be
Let athos in peace. 🙏🙏🙏
No they do not forbiden female animals. You find female cats thousands of female cats, thousands of female birds. There are no other animals beside insects living there. But if there was they would be there. It is the place for Men to dedicate their lives to God and their brotherhood and not to carnal pleasures. They have the sacred vote of celibacy! And by that logically, women are forbiden to avoid intrigues and to allow Monks to not loose themselfs. Be honest please.
I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here. The first question that must be resolved is "what is a woman;" 👀
They'd find some way of ruining it -- Instagram posts, yoga pants, trying to introduce feminism and "equity," etc.
Do they ruin other monasteries? Don't think so
@@IN-pr3lwpeople don’t know any other monasteries 😂
@@IN-pr3lw -- If the Panagia Herself does not allow them there then that would imply they would ruin it on some level.
Monasteries establish rules for respect. If some monasteries won't allow shorts to be worn, and have phone rules, and in some parts of monasteries, absolute silence. You can't just assume that they'll wear yoga pants, make Instagram posts etc.
@@drewstinson3901Men aren't allowed at monasteries for women, and it is still quiet.
Theotokos being " jealous" just sounds wrong to me ....
with all due respect theotokosthe not dedicated the land on which the mount athos developed to her son for the purpose of the saveation of the soulnesses which would go there ratherbut she asked her son to dedicate the forementioned to her for the purpose of the forementioned
thankweyou
I have heard the no female animal is not true, and if it is its only a select monestaries
There are female animals. Cats, dogs not so much. Wild animals. Deers, wild pigs, foxes etc.
I sneaked in there as a woman >w
I think there are more practical reasons for that - someone meant silence tse 🙄😀, but I don't mind, I don't want to go there.
Congratulations, you can't go anyway.
I respect this tradition, but it makes me sad that us women will never have the chance to venerate all these holy icons and relics on Mouth Athos or meet any of the elders 😔
Dear @nvnataly, yes, you are right. The traditions must be followed and you should not feel bad you are woman and you are not allowed to get at Mouth Athos.
A lot of icons come out from Mt Athos to bless the people, and many fathers too!
Simply put Because they are a distraction, especially with how obnoxious 'women' have become these days, even in the church and monks do not need added temptation.
No need to speak badly of women they're not allowed and that's it no more no less
No women?! Based.
There are no women in Orthodoxy in general...😅
What a load of BS to cover over the fact that it is obviously a sexist rule
there are no women because it has to be the quietest place on earth. Amen.
😂😂
There are no women in Orthodoxy in general...😅
You are obviously NOT Orthodox
Wrong
You gammen bro
What?
Well, there are women in Orthodoxy but they are typically geriatric or worldly gossiping loud mouths, it's rare to find an Orthodox woman who is based in tradition. But they do exist.