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Until 2000 they also banned anyone from catalonia because a mercenary company of catalans raided them in the 14th century.

Protect the holy mountain!! ☦🇬🇷

As a woman, I support the monks right to keep Mount Athos as male only. As an Orthodox Christian, I appreciate that there are places like Mount Athos where prayer is kept pure.

Mount Athos is not your typical Disney. Respect the tradition. Ban tourists.

Actually, there were some occasions in which women entered Mount Athos. Some adventurous princesses with a caprice to visit this place, entered Athos. Stories say that they either get killed mysteriously afterwards or became nuns. In addition, during the Greek Rebellion of Halkidiki against the Ottomans in 1821, and after the burning of all peninsula from the Turks, many children and women entered Mount Athos. The monasteries hid them for up to ten years in order not to be killed or be sold as slaves in North Africa. Two of my ancestors found refuge there. Also during the Greek Civil War (1946-1949), a few female fighters of the so called Democratic Army came to the Monasteries.

As a woman I have absolutely no problem about their stance of not allowing women into their home. It could destroy their way of life and freedom to worship in their own way and who would want to take that sacredness and magic away? There's too much emphasis on access for everyone and making everything the same, imo, and we all need to know that there are amazing places that are different and kept sacred, even if it means that we can't go to visit. :)

Private clubs are generally free to make their own rules and ban whoever they wish. My personal view of the Greek Orthodox hierarchy notwithstanding, a private monastery or nunnery should be free to ban women or men or cows or whatever suits their fancy.

Leave them be. A world with no differences is a boring world. Not to mention respecting cultural heritage. It’s not like it’s an entire country or state, just one small peninsula with a historical tradition that isn’t seeking to subjugate women outside their private land. This is their home, not a tourist attraction open to the general public and we should absolutely respect their right to choose who may enter.

"To impose a modern thought to an ancient entity would destroy the ancient entity." Absolutely.

I believe that Mt Athos should be respected as it has been. And I’m a woman.

Another woman protesting I am a woman and agree with monks . Always that is forbidden to woman is a protest and if the monks allow them to look for others places to protest. I respect the monks and agree because that is place for worship no a resort.

Too many traditions have been destroyed, leave these men alone.

I think it is very good for the nature and marinelife to be spared from tourists, there are many other nice places you can visit in Greece

Leave the peninsula alone as is.

I hope everyone leaves these monks and their way of life alone. We need to understand that we don't need to make all spaces accessible to everyone and that is not necessarily discrimination

My uncle was a monck on Hilandar for 20 years, I remember when I slept there with my father when we visited the monastery, I was about 6 years old. Its truly a beautiful place. I never thought it would be mentioned somewhere again. Dont try to force these people to do what you want, it's obviously not wanted.

The question is, why would a woman want to go to Mount Athos? The ones who are Orthodox (right believers) surely do not want the rule to change, while the others have no business there, except to create irritation.

*In Northern Greece, there is a small island that belongs to Mt. Athos which is also exclusive to monks and monasteries. This island is called Kyra Panagia and is found about 50 km to the south of the Athos peninsula.

Lets not impose our values onto people who dont wish to, we dont need to be able to go everywhere, let them live like they want to

I'm sorry, why is an American so concerned that this tiny peninsula in Greece doesn't allow women visitors? In what way does this impact her life? I find it more than imperialistic to assume that the whole world needs to conform to American cultural standards... and I'd even go as far as to say this whole video was just plain disrespectful. even demanding a community to explain themselves is just ridiculous

It surprises me that a woman from the other side of the world finds oppression in the fact she can't visit a place she previously didn't even know existed. I bet if there wasn't a law forbidding women, most of these people messing with mount Athos today wouldn't even bother mention it. Friends of Mount Athos respect Mount Athos, if you have no respect you're not a friend 👎

Hagion Oros translates to holy mountain. Athos is the name the mountain has had since antiquity, named after the mythological giant Athos who accidentally created the peninsula by throwing a rock.

it's ok. we don't need to go to a place that does not accept female visitors. there are specific individuals i do not invite into my own home. why should it matter? all is well.

If you want to start imposing modern Western views on places, there are so many places you could start with where women actually live.

As a romanian woman and kind of familiar with orthodox christianity, let me tell you, Mount Athos isn't hiding anything incredibly special, there are special events and prayers there but most male visitors seem to not care for it. The place looks like any monastaries, some unique historical features but that's mostly it. Every single holy place has it's rules, despite the common faith.

Only in this stupid day and age would anyone make their mission in life to destroy everything which is sacred, traditional and respected. It's not about a woman feeling oppressed. She just wants to be the first to take selfies there for her insta channel. It's that sad.

This video is fascinating. I never heard of such a place. Absolutely stunning ❤

Why does this matter? It's a religious community segregated for religious reasons. No different then say a holy island where only nuns are allowed or something. Places like this do exist and I really don't see why it's breaking news.

If we could just have women-free gyms, that would be heaven.

"This mountain is insane." Mmmh. Sure,pumpkin. Sure.

There was an Empress (Helena I think) who was allowed on the mountain, however, she was carried on a litter or hand carriage so that she doesn't touch the ground.

Everyone needs a safe space and so do these men seeking spiritual enlightenment free from the distractions of the opposite sex. If it upsets you to think that this is wrong, then just don't think about it.

Everyone who is talking about this being a "gay paradise" whether seriously or for comedic purposes should be ashamed of themselves

Just like Buddhist Monastery , So it isn't Surprising

Wow, this is so interesting.. i never knew! Thank you for this informative video it's so beautifully made

According to Mz Bimbo, a geographic feature is suffering from a "serious mental condition"? Some people should be disallowed access to recording devices!

No women? That's even better than the Garden of Eden!

It is really like a big monastery, the experience is probably like visiting any other well managed monastery .Having visited a monastery myself its remarkably easy and a worthwhile (even if you are not religious, like me) ,you can just find one on google maps and go hang out there for a few hours . The monks are super friendly and welcoming, as long as you are respectful .

Mount Athos is so interesting and unique. Truly a time capsule that preserves a long lost world, I would be honored if I had the chance to visit it one day. I just regret that the area bans women, even Vatican City State has a few female residents (mostly wives and daughters of Swiss Guards). Still, this place is very blessed to be preserved the way it was. Safe from the destruction of human industry, it's beautiful and it's heritage is significant.

I really can't understand the behavior of some men or even feminists who comment here. If you don't like a place, then don't have to visit it. However, you come here to write bitter comments. Just skip the video people. They don't bother you don't bother them. They have their life, they have their faith, they deal with what they want to deal with, they devote themselves to what they believe in. Period! And finally, if you don't like these kinds of places, just visit other places, there are hundreds of thousands of other places on this planet. If you want to be respected respect others!

Westerners (liberals to be specific) should keep out from our internal affairs and respect our faith. Not everything is for sale

As a greek woman I never cared about that. I would never want to visit a place I'm not wanted😊

Mount Athos is a community of Orthodox Monasteries. Theologically, there can be no contact between Monks and Nuns in daily living.

I prefer a world were a tiny peninsula full of ancient monasteries is unique. I would feel the same if men were banned instead. Unique (not cruel) places teach us things about ourselves and about history.

On rare and very clear days Mount Athos appears floating over the sea as I have coffee on my terrace in front of my house on one of the islands of the Sporades. It is stunning and magical in ghostly blues, pale purples or reflecting yellow orange light. I hope to visit someday.

Mount Athos doesn't mean Holly Mountain, Hagion Oros does.

Mount Athos is private property. The owners have the right to invite anyone they choose there. And the owners of Mount Athos have the right to deny anyone.

This is such a cool topic to cover, I am so interested in what y'all are going to do in the future.

Last vestiges of things and ideas thought to be long gone are always interesting to me. Mount Athos as the last tiny vestige of Byzantine Empire is a notable example.

As an Orthodox Christian, I'll say that this place is one of the holiest places in Orthodox Christianity. It needs to be spared from hordes of tourists, so leave them be. There is nothing for tourists to see there

The lady in the video giving an argument about "biologist, doing field work".... well.... there are many male biologists, and I dare to believe that there are many other places in the world where female biologists could do field work.

God is Great ☝🏻

People who want to allow women think a law change would do no harm. It's one huge monastery. Nuns don't allow men; monasteries don't allow women. Let the law stand or let idle curiosity destroy a huge part of history.

Thank god. Somewhere I can go without Oprah Winfrey on a waiting room TV.

Very interesting to see places like this being able to survive in the 21st century that clashes with modern society values. This is a monetary just like those in the mountains of China and India, a mystery that few are allowed to travel to.

Ok, let me get this, in a nunnery men aren't allowed then in a monastery it's a debate to remove a ban because it's bigger than most monasteries?

There should be no debate on the topic of women being banned. If you don't like it go do something different and productive with yourself. Its real simple.

Just leave the monks alone.

it is not just women. The last years in order to go there and even stay a few days you have to have a invitation from someone there in order to visit. i know that cause my dad went there for a week invited by his cousin. People there can contact with family member ONLY by letter and is rumored that this letter is opened before is received by peope there.The can contact by women his cousin is speaking to his sister via letter. But i believe they do not allowed to send many cause for exaple my dad was senting one and received back reply letter for him after a month or more.

Officially the most peaceful place on earth that isn't covered by ice and snow.

The last piece of Byzantium,protect it.

Even female animals like sheep ,cows and ever other female animals are strictly forbidden. But my favourite monastere is "Meteora" ,one or two are in use and they were shown in an older "James-Bond-Film".

Excellent video as always. You might find interest in ancient rock cut temples that have survived colonization in India.

People now a days "wants", "you should do what ever we want". imagine if it was home?

"if women were permitted ... it would no longer be a place of silence" Lol

OK I get not letting women on the island but what is up with no female animals?? Hmmmmm....

If they consider the entire area their private property, then it's their prerogative to decide who can enter and who cannot. Not every situation revolves around equality concerns. It's a relatively small rocky area that isn't a major attraction for most people. Greece is a stunning country, and right near that mountain, there are two other similar mountains that extend into the sea. If you're genuinely interested in seeing something similar, you could visit those places. Most importantly no women or girls live there so women's rights aren't an issue on that island. However, it feels like many individuals are drawn to this location purely to spark controversy and advocate for rights that aren't directly related to this small piece of land. The monks who reside there likely don't prioritize accommodating women biologists because that specific location might not be suitable for biology studies. If that's your focus, there's another mountain just 20 kilometers away that could better serve that purpose. It's important to recognize that not every battle needs to be fought by everyone. Sometimes, it's better to let these individuals live peacefully on their mountain without unnecessary conflict.

We do have to RESPECT traditions!

Meanwhile no one is shoked that in times of war like Ukraine right now men are not allowed to leave the country, even forced into the frontline. What about "liberty of movement" there?

Also, in the place of the great monasteries, there were ancient Greek cities which at some point were evacuated by imperial decree in the 9th century. This was done by Nikephoros Phokas after the reconquest of Crete in 961 from the Saracen Arabs The roads between these ancient cities still exist today as paths that pilgrims walked to get from one monastery to another. The trip to Mount Athos is like returning to 10th century Byzantium

The “avaton” of the Holy Mountain has nothing to do with sexism or hate against women. Women have the whole world to travel if they want. Why it’s mandatory to visit a small place full of churches? If you want to attend a monastery and become an nun there are countless women monasteries in the mainland. Our monasteries in Orthodoxy are either male or female. Women can become nuns in every female monastery and they can visit and pray in any male monastery. The avaton has nothing to do with what some people claim. Monks are not tempted by the women etc. This is purely the ancient laws and traditions from Byzantium. The tradition says that at the Byzantine Era, the daughter of Emperor Theodosius the Great, Princess Plakidía visited the Holy Mountain. She was in a trip and she asked to visit the Vatopèdi monastery that is was built by her father, Emperor Theososius. The monks couldn’t deny her wish even though they knew that women weren’t allowed by the wish of Theotokos Maria herself. Princess Plakidía visited the monastery of Varopèdi and she liked the monastery. But she entered the main church she saw an icon of Theotokos Maria to be like she was alive in front of her. Princess Plakidía fell to her knees and before she could say a word she saw the face of Theotokos to become alive in an iconography on the wall in front of her. Theotokos spoke to her in a stern voice through her icon saying: “Princess what are you doing here? Don’t you know that I am the only Queen, the only women in this place? Turn around and leave! No other women should be allowed here even again!” Plakidía turned away and run in shock. She immediately left from Mt. Athos and later tell everyone about they miracle she experienced. Her father, Emperor Theodosius the Great ordered that mo woman should be allowed in Athos ever again on commands of Theotokos Maria! Also, from that day a candle burns in front of that icon that was named Αντιφωνήτρια / antifonítria which means “she who spoke”. Every day they add olive oil to the candle that it had never went out!

Imagine how peaceful it is there.

Can men go to Nunneries and do reasearch, NO. So respect their rights too, just because they are men they still have rights.

It's the same reason they used to not allow women into ships - it'll cause drama among the men 🤣. And in the case of these monks, they'd like to be as far away from any temptations as possible. I'd say a parallel would be convents where nuns also limit the entry of males. Albeit it's probably not as restrictive as Mt Athos coz after all, they need men do some of tasks like maintaining and repairing structures, etc.

In Greek η Μαριάμ - Maria is commonly titled η Θεοτόκος - i Theotókos meaning the God-bearer. Even the grammatical gender of this name is unusual being feminine. In Greek nearly all names/nouns that end -ος are grammatically masculines, o Σταύρος - Stávros, o Γιώργος - Giórgos/ο θανότος - the death, ο πόνος - the pain, o λόγος - the word or reason (tho' some -os ending nouns are so very old they are actually neuters - το). What is rare in Greek is for -os ending names to be feminines - η, and one of these is this title i Mariám bears η Θεοτόκος. So even the guardian saint of Áthos has a "skewed" linguistical genre applied to it.

Great video👍

There was a similar case in India with the Sabrimala Temple. But, with the Supreme court doing away with the ban, well, things got a little out of hand. Had India pulled a similar move, the world would have hounded us.

Women must Stay out !

Her argument that hypothetically it could be career restricting should a woman researcher wish to study a species of wildlife, is plausible. However, compare Mt Athos to other places in the world that are not accessible to everybody. For example, the missionary John Allan Chau was killed by Sentinelese, a uncontacted indigenous tribe on an island in the Indian Ocean when he tried to convert them to Christianity. He kept on landing on the island until they finally got rid of him.

One lady is enough that is Holy mary the mother of our lord. She represent all women.

I've been there once for business purposes. The landscape, the environment, tge forests and the monuments are stunning. It's beeing preserved constantly and that's the right way to pass this UNESCO heritage to the next generations

Some people are more concerned about the places they can’t go than maximizing themselves in the places they can!

Protect this Mountain forever, Blessings from Ethiopia ☦

There were also some Greeks among those who came to worship in the feast. These therefore came to Philip from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying: Lord, we want to see Jesus. Philip comes and says to Andrew, and again Andrew and Philip say to Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified..

Good rule to be honest. Respect

I don’t think we should force them to accept women, but I guarantee that all that respect for tradition would go out the window for Europeans if this place was a Muslim holy site.

If I found myself in a place with no women it would probably take me a few days to notice.

Why would the lady expect to hear "female voices" about a monastery?? Seriously? Has she sought "male voices" in a convent???

Mount Athos is a male version of Themyscira Wonder Woman's Island 🏝️ Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

Imagine a country with no complaining, no Karen's and no long hair clogging up drains and in your food.

As Orthodox and woman i never visit monasteries, doesn't matter which monaster women or men .I believe monasteries are monks homes and i respects peoples home and only visit if someone alow me ro visit , or ask me to visit .As for the Europe they have no rights to interfere. If they ever decide to remove the ban Greek people will interfere too .We don't like our church to be disrespected like Europe did to Vatican. Good for them if they like women in Vatican or gay , leave the holy mount of Athos out of this .

The very fact that it is debated if women should be allowed or not really shows the lack of understanding and respect now days!! This is not a city or a town it is an area with a few monastery's it is autonomous and has lived that way for a millennia. It is not a resort or a retreat it is a place of worship! I am not religious my self but I understand the fact that they have to right to live the same way they did for A MILLENNIA in this SMALL area ! People need to understand that being for forbidden of something doesn't mean it impedes your freedom, somethings are bigger than you and me get over it!

No women, no drama... Cool!

I'm glad everyone in the comments has accepted respecting mt athos privacy, its a holy site not a research or tourist attraction.

The devil will always find a reason to profane and pervert the ways and works of holiness and God!

As a Greek, it's actually good they're adhering so much to the traditions. Plus that they're actually really cultured and very learned. The libraries in the monasteries might as well have artefacts that we don't even know about, as everything is so secluded.

So...this is how heaven looks like 😁

Not only are women banned, but also children, livestock and media. They can't jail kids, livestock or the media so I understand why the heavy punishment. The previous attempts were a good enough reason.

Gender equality is an oxymoronic, oversimplified idea. In general, females need their own spaces and so do males. The word "ban" is misleading. Respect female-only and male-only places. There aren't many of them.