A lone traveler waits for the ferry on the dock of Xenophontos monastery in Mount Athos, unaware that the ferry will not be stopping there. This is the wrong dock as it is not used anymore. The ferries stop at a new dock about 150 metres to the right. A monk rushes to inform the traveler of this fact, but a bit too late. The ferry is already passing along with me on board taking this picture.
Missing a ferry in Mount Athos is a big thing since this is the only form of transport for the seaside monasteries. It is too far and too expensive to hire a van from the capital. That means that he would have to stay in this monastery for another 24 hours. In my opinion, not a bad thing, as it a beautiful and serene location.
Xenophontos monastery is one of the twenty orthodox monasteries of the monastic state of Mount Athos (Agion Oros) in Greece. This particular monastery was founded in the 11th century. You can only see 1/3 of the monastery in this photo.
Agnostos Ellinas (king Georgios)
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Actually, St. Nicholas’ Day is December 6th, but the main “festivities” take place on the evening before, which sometimes leads to confusion. In this way it’s similar to Pascha in Orthodox countries, where the main festivities are also on the evening and during the night before the actual date.