Russian Monks on Mount Athos: The Thousand Year History of St Panteleimon's

The Holy Mountain of Athos is a self-governing monastic republic in Northern Greece, with one of the twenty ruling monasteries, St. Panteleimon, known as the Rossikon. It has experienced a strong revival since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and is now one of the most numerous of the twenty. However, the history of a Russian presence on Athos goes back more than one thousand years. This is the first comprehensive account of this in the English language, based on previously inaccessible archival materials. The book explores the history of the community as it interacts with the wider worlds of the Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern nation-states of Greece, as well as the Russian homeland. It highlights the importance of ethnic relations, the Pan-Orthodox ideal, the role of money and political pressure, sanctity and heroism in adversity, and the importance of historical memory and precedent.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2021
Publisher: Holy Trinity Publications

The Holy Mountain of Athos is a self-governing monastic republic located on a peninsula in Northern Greece. It is home to one of the twenty ruling monasteries that comprise the republic, known as St. Panteleimon, also known as the Rossikon in Greek. This monastery, which has undergone extensive restoration in recent years, can accommodate up to 5,000 men, reflecting the size of the settlement at its peak in the nineteenth century and prior to the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Athos has experienced a remarkable revival and is now one of the most numerous of the twenty monasteries.

However, the vast buildings that can be seen today are merely a reflection of the past two centuries. What is less well known is the fact that the history of a Russian presence on Athos extends over a thousand years. This is the first comprehensive account of this history in the English language. The author has been able to draw from previously inaccessible archival materials to gather the wealth of information shared in this work. The history of the community is not presented in geographical isolation but rather as interacting with the broader worlds of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, as well as the modern nation-state of Greece, and the constantly evolving political character of the Russian homeland.

Three distinct phases can be identified in the history of Athos:

From the tenth to the twelfth centuries, Russian Athonites inhabited the ancient Russian Lavra of the Mother of God, also known as Xylourgou.

From the mid-twelfth to the mid-eighteenth century, the ancient Monastery of St. Panteleimon served as the Russian house on Athos, more commonly referred to as Nagorny or Stary Rusik.

The most recent 250 years have witnessed a significant transformation, with the Russian presence on Athos evolving and adapting to the changing political and social landscape.

In conclusion, the Holy Mountain of Athos is a unique and fascinating place with a rich history that spans centuries. Its monastic republic is governed by a complex set of rules and traditions, and its monasteries are home to a community of dedicated religious men and women. The Russian presence on Athos is a significant part of this history, and this book provides a comprehensive account of its origins, development, and significance.

Dimension: 229 x 153 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781942699309