Mount Athos

[Mariocatgran]

Hi could anyone give me an idea on mount Athos my son is going soon with some people from his church

What is it you want to know?

I think you mean some men from his church @Mariocatgran , women aren't allowed on Athos.

@Uricon2 yeah sorry men I should have thought of that thanks

@thedevilinablackdress hi just is it a safe place will he be OK i haven't a clue

Basically it's a lot of Orthodox monasteries and monks in a place with a very long history of such. I believe King Charles has spent time there. I can only say that having mixed in OC church circles I've never heard of it not being safe to visit and in fact a friend (who is an Orthodox monk) is going there in the spring.

@Uricon2 hi thanks very much for your help my son is going in may I think

Wow! Lucky son. I would love to go just for the history.

I think you will struggle finding anyone here who has been because not only are women barred, foreigners wanting to visit have to obtain a permit as it is regarded as a very sacred site.

I've never met anyone who has ever been there and socially I used to mix with a lot of Greek orthodox people. It's a once in a life time thing to visit Mount Athos.

You don't say what aspect of safety you are worried about. I really wouldn't worry about your son being safe in terms of the Greek Orthodox monks because it is a very different culture. This is the absolute opposite of the problems in the Catholic church and really deeply religious. You don't say how old your son is but I think male foreigners under 18 have to be accompanied by a male parent? Provided you are happy that the group he is travelling with are safe for him then I would have zero concerns just big envy!

Haha hes 27 hes a good guy and hes orthodox hes going with guys from the church the priest was a monk before going to that church im just a worrier he'd hate i was even asking this

If he is 27 he is a fully grown adult who can assess any risks for himself surely? I'm sure it will be an amazing experience. What on earth do you think is going to happen to him?

Not sure why you’d be worried at all? He’s a fully grown man first of all and he’s hugely lucky to be able to visit one of the most sacred places in Orthodox Christianity. It’ll very probably be a life changing experience.

@500daysofspring@ApolloandDaphnei know yous are both right hes an adult but I have bad Anxiety I really dont want to worry believe me I just needed reassurance from some people so thanks yous have helped anormasly thank you

He'll be absolutely fine and it will be a great experience @Mariocatgran , he'll learn a lot about Orthodoxy too.

@Uricon2 great ive done a lot of research over night he'll love it im just a worrier ive just always been like that I'll help him as much as I can he was Baptised recently and im so proud of him but I dont know much about Orthodoxy

It's great he has your support @Mariocatgran and although I know it's hard when it's something unknown to you, try not to worry. I hope what you've found out now has reassured you a bit.

I haven’t heard of Mount Athos and was puzzled as to why this was in Scotsnet…

Anyway, reading about it now. Very interesting

@yeriknow hi well I just disnt have a clue what forum to put it on

If he's an adult male, at 27 hes' approaching 30 and orthodox travelling with a church group, I am genuinely perplexed as to what you were worried about. I know you have said you are a very anxious person but are you able to explain roughly what your concern was. You said above is it safe. Was that it? Safe in what way? or something else?

I think if you can articulate exactly what it is you are anxious about it may help reassure you and calm yourself.

It's comparable to being worried about whether a 27 year old male who is part of a religious delegation going to visit the Pope. My only thought was whether you had a concern about vulnerability of a young boy with adult males - but that was before you said he was 27.

What exactly was bothering you? Do you worry about him travelling generally?

I just worry about about everything I know its daft I know he'll be fine but I think i just needed someone to tell me

what does 'everything' mean though? can you give some literal examples of specific concerns? that he'd be attacked? that there is high crime? or that he'd forget his toothbrush and he woudn't remember his Ovaltine before bed? 😉

You must have some specific things that bother you and if you look more closely you may be able to calm your anxiety more readily.

But what is a man, or a woman? 😁

Possibly this is all me and hes fine a grown man I just worry about everything I do take medication for anxiety and see psychiatrist aswell

@KnickerlessParsons I do get it