The Greek State That Forbids Both Human and Animal Females

Γεια σας...(Yahsas!) Hello! Great to see you today! Only 150 days until summer! Heard a weatherperson say on TV this morning, "It's -9C but actually it's quite comfortable." Yeah right. Okay...granted it is better than the -30C we woke up to a week or two ago but my tropical body craves heat! Had dinner this week with a couple of teachers we just met. They returned in October from 4-6 years in Thailand (she 4 years, he 6). We commiserated over all the things we missed about living in The Kingdom of Thailand. And now on to Greece or actually the Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain.

Mount Athos, formally known as Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain, is located on the Greek peninsula of Halkidiki. The monastic traditions of the mountain date back to 800 A.D. and the Byzantine era. Today, it is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries, and 2,000 monks from Greece and other eastern orthodox countries such as Bulgaria, Serbia and Russia. These monks live an ascetic life, isolated from the rest of the world.

Although technically part of the European Union, the Holy Mountain is largely self-governed. This prohibits the free movement of people and goods in its territory, unless formal permission has been granted. 

As a result, a number of traditions at Mount Athos might seem odd to people outside. The keeping of Byzantine time, for instance, means that their day begins at sunset. But perhaps their most bizarre practice is the centuries-old ban on women entering the sacred peninsula.

For over 1,000 years, women have been forbidden from setting foot on the mountain. In fact, females of other species such as cows, dogs and goats aren’t permitted either. Only birds and insects are exempted from the rule – scanning the skies and grounds for female body parts would surely be too absurd, even by Mount Athos standards.

Dedication, focus and faith without any distractions. No 75" Smart TVs. No Super Bowl. No...you name it! 

I'll bet you they don't have any elevators either...

See ya, eh!

Bob