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19-03 Mount Athos closes tomorrow for all visitors except workers and professionals until March 30th.
___________________________________________________________________________________________Yesterday, 16th of March, a 50-year-old Italian pilgrim, who developed cough and fever, was transported from Chilandariou monastery to a hospital in Thessaloniki, causing alarm to the monastic community. Tests showed that he was NOT infected with the coronavirus. He had a seasonal flu.
The Holy Community recently discussed closing Mount Athos for pilgrims, but decided that this should not be done for “spiritual reasons” (source: kathimerini.gr: 16th of March 2020).
But the Orthodox Times wrote today (17/3):
” The cancellation of many diamonitirion orders, mainly of pilgrims from abroad, is currently reducing the risk of an outbreak, but the civil administration, the police, the port authority and monks remain on high alert.
What everyone agrees on is self-restraint and taking measures of sanitation and protection, while on Friday, March 28, a vigilance will be held in all the monasteries, as well as in the Temple of the Protaton in Karyes, for the sick and for the protection of the general population”
Wim en Herman Voogd, 17-18/3
It should be noted however that every pilgrim who is about to enter should contact again the monastery in which he is supposed to stay to reconfirm vacancy.
As in whole Greece, people are requested to stay at home, so unless there is something really urgent, consider postponing your trip to mt.Athos.
Some monasteries, Chelandariou and Vatopediou among them, have stopped accepting guests. At Karyes the police requests arriving pilgrims to promptly continue on their way to the monasteries and not gather in the area.
Many cancellations and the boats sail almost half or less full…
Please don’t underestimate the situation and don’t take unnecessary risks, both for you and for the fathers in mt. Athos..
Yes, Athos is locked down. Because the government has orderd so, till March 30 2020, at least: https://fanarion.blogspot.com/2020/03/blog-post_94.html?fbclid=IwAR1RqpA-mkp6zDe7lqYz6odn2XnEEAgHLuLzOiVrldaRenNszGmDNYRUsrQ
Vassilis, at the decree is clearly stated that especially for Athos, the governor of Athos is responsible for any action taken with prior notice of the holly community. So far no action was officially taken, Athos remains open, but individual monasteries have the right -and many already did so- to refuse accomodation to their guests.
Yes, Japetus, maybe a I did read the decree too compulsory. Your first comment is also correct. And beside that; pilgrims from outside Greece have to go for two weeks in quarantine by entering Greece.
If I translate the article it says that the government forbids church services. I don’t read that it is forbidden to enter Athos. It will be a matter of time but no lock down yet. Or am I wrong?
Herman
No, Herman, I don’t think you are wrong by saying “no lockdown”, literally. But the effect of the measures taken by the Greek Government and the Ierá Kinótita (see also Japetus’ first comment!) will stop the supply of pilgrims,
PS
Indeed, the Agion Oros stays ‘open’, but because of the Coronavirus, the monasteries will no longer receive pilgrims, said monks to to Ethnos: https://www.ethnos.gr/ekklisia/agio-oros/94675_agion-oros-anoihto-alla-den-dehetai-proskynites-logo-koronoioy
It is easy to enforce a ban of visitors to Athos, so that’s what should happen.
Yes, see: https://www.vimaorthodoxias.gr/agioreitika-nea/to-agion-oros-kleinei-apo-avrio-gia-tous-proskynites/ and https://www.ekklisiaonline.gr/nea/agio-oros-tora-afta-ine-ta-ektakta-metra-tis-ieras-kinotitas/?fbclid=IwAR3pgohK5AfIWDH0OwNPaJrqeCKC02kwKb5OfxoDg_yNfkjeSuUDgp19iUQ