The monastic community of Mount Athos has announced new regulations to manage the influx of pilgrims and preserve the spiritual sanctity of the sacred site.
Starting January 1st, 2025, stricter limits will be placed on the number of visitors allowed, and new restrictions will be imposed on group visits and accommodation changes.
Under the new rules, coenobitic monasteries will be limited to hosting a maximum of 200 pilgrims per month.
Groups of more than five people will be prohibited unless they consist of students or military personnel. Furthermore, all visitors will require official invitations to enter the monastic community.
To maintain order and prevent unauthorized movement between monasteries, visitors will need prior approval to change their accommodations.
While some flexibility may be granted during major religious festivals, this will also require consent from the pilgrimage office.
The Holy Community, the governing body of Mount Athos, reaffirmed that women will continue to be prohibited from visiting the site, upholding a centuries-old tradition.
These measures reflect the ongoing efforts to balance the increasing interest in Mount Athos with the need to protect its unique monastic environment and spiritual character.
The new regulations aim to ensure that pilgrims can experience the sacred atmosphere of Mount Athos while minimizing disruption to the monastic way of life.