The Holy Mountain ( Mount Athos) also known as the Vineyard of the Holy Virgin Mary, has had a strict rule against the admission of women for many centuries. The Virgin Mary is regarded as the Abbess of the Monasteries and is the only woman allowed to tread on its grounds. Holy tradition states the Virgin Mary was blown off course on her way to Cyprus to visit Bishop Lazarus and landed on the beautiful Peninsula. The area was inhabited by pagans that were converted to Christianity by the many blessing bestowed upon them by the Virgin Mary. On that day the Virgin Mary asked The Lord to grant this area to her as Her very own vineyard where she could assist Monastics in serving Him.
Out of respect to the Virgin Mary the Monastic community developed the Avaton a Monastic Law that prohibits the opposite sex entry into their monasteries. The rule was not imposed out of spite , it was created simply as a way of assisting the Monks in achieving and maintaining their vows of chastity and complete obedience to God.
This tradition has been strictly upheld for a Millenium and it remains a place where men leave the world and devote their lives to God through strict asceticism and ceaseless prayer. Although many deem the decision to not allow women as controversial, the historical context must be understood. When the monastery was formed 1,300 years ago, strict monastic laws states that men should never step foot in women's monasteries, and women should never step foot in male monasteries. Over the years many monasteries have lifted these strict rules, but The Holy Mountain has taken an oath to never change a single aspect of their lives since ancient times. It is also important to note that on occasion women have been allowed to enter. They have accepted refugees, including women and children: in 1770, during the Russo-Turkish War; in 1821, during the Green War of Independence; and during the Holocaust. Also, in 1929, Miss Greece dressed up like a man to enter the area, and in 2008, five Moldavians (four women) accidentally entered, but in all cases, the trespassers were forgiven.
