Creating an atmosphere of pure devotion, the Easter liturgy is usually performed under the light of candles and its magic is indescribable. The rituals have remained unchanged for centuries, and motivate Christians from all over the world to flock here year after year in order to participate in this wondrous celebration as well as quench their spiritual thirst. They receive Communion and give praise to the Lord, and participate in the Divine Drama of our Holy Lord, as well as rejoice in his Resurrection on Holy Saturday with all of the monastic community.
Instead of extravagant Epitaphs a simple Epitaph is adorned with an embroidered purple cloth, and decorated with a few flowers. There are red Easter eggs of course, but the monks here celebrate Easter with lots of fish and collar greens.
The mini-documentary was made for MEGA Channel and shows how the monks of Mount Athos celebrate Orthodox Holy Week.
Mount Athos or Agion Oros, is the oldest surviving monastic community in the world. It dates back more than a thousand years, to Byzantine times and is a unique monastic republic, which, although part of Greece. It is a World Heritage Site and self-governed state. It is home to approximately 20 Stavropegial Eastern Orthodox monasteries under the direct jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople.
Editor's Note - The documentary is in Greek, but contains English subtitles.
PART I
PART II
PART III
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