MEPs Approve Resolution Seeking to Allow Women on Mt Athos

rebecca · Post by **rebecca** » Fri 12 September 2003 4:35 pm

The purpose of a monastery is for monks to separate themselves from the world. Ideally, monks minimize their contact with women. So if an island is dedicated to monasticism and is entirely inhabited by monks, how could anyone not respect their rules? Does this woman really want to go to Athos for spiritual enlightenment, or because she's not allowed there?

It seems strange that they would not allow female livestock on the mountain. Is that really true? I don't want to sound judgmental or anything, but...

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Fri 12 September 2003 5:34 pm

Physicsgirl,

I think it was the Theotokos who gave the guidelines... so it's probably seen as an obedience thing, regardless of whether it "makes sense" (and I agree, practically and generally speaking, it seems a bit odd... but if God directed it to be done, it must have a good, edifying purpose )

Natasha · Post by **Natasha** » Fri 12 September 2003 8:04 pm

Mount Athos' Special Status Under Scrutiny
STRASBOURG, France, SEPT. 9, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The European Parliament is considering revising the
centuries-old special status enjoyed by the monastic community of Mount Athos in Greece.
The Parliament's plenary session approved a report giving the green light for the revision of the status of the
peninsula of northern Greece inhabited solely by monks.
The Greek Orthodox Church, in its latest Ecclesia Report, announced that "the plenary session of the
Euro-Parliament passed a proposal-report prepared by French Euro-deputy Fode Sylla concerning the EU Fundamental
Rights situation for 2002, which includes, among others, a reference to the special status enjoyed by the
monastic community of Mount Athos, in northern Greece."
According to the Euro-deputies, the controversial point is that the isles of Athos do not allow entry to women.
The Euro-deputies see this prohibition as an infringement on women's human rights, so they asked the Greek
government to revise the prohibition.
The Sylla report received only negative votes by the deputies of the Greek Socialist government. If the proposal
goes forward, it might face a second vote.
The Greek government and the Orthodox Church defend the situation of the status of the monastic community
because of its 1,000-year link with the country's traditions, values, symbols and religious faith.

zlata · Post by **zlata** » Wed 10 December 2003 11:28 am

Does anyone know any news about this madness?

PFC Nektarios · Post by **PFC Nektarios** » Wed 10 December 2003 12:53 pm

Women on the Holy Mountian Whats with people today, bunch of heretics with no respect for Orthodox Tradition. If I were the monks, I would start a huge fight. I know the Monks wont allow this ever to happen, God willing.

Lets just let the guy $/\$ there handle every thing.

In Christ

zlata · Post by **zlata** » Wed 10 December 2003 2:04 pm

I would seriously be afraid of being struck by the lightening or something, just like I would never step inside the church or on monastery land with uncovered head. There are thing that ppl JUST DON"T DO :ohvey: (I must admit, I would love to be allowed to visit Mt Athos...but would never do it even if EU will allow it.)

What about the human rights oh the monks? And what about the right of a woman (Theotokos)? Why isn't she allowed to have 1 place to herself?

There's nothing wrong with human rights of female half of the Church... as far as I know we have plenty of convents (where FEMALE rule over a priest ) if any of us wish to enter monastic life. So, how in the world can someone say that our Church persecute women? And what woman, in their right mind, would want to take a place of the bishop? :ohvey:

PFC Nektarios · Post by **PFC Nektarios** » Wed 10 December 2003 4:31 pm

Anglican Women

In Christ