Mount Athos will significantly restrict access for pilgrims

Starting January 1, 2025, the Holy Mount Athos will impose significant restrictions on pilgrims. According to the new rules, the number of pilgrims will be strictly limited. A limit of 200 people per month is set for dormitory sketes, 50 pilgrims for central churches (Kyriakon), and 20 people for cells. The ban is imposed on groups of more than five people, with the exception of schoolchildren, students, monks and military personnel. This is reported by Global Orthodox.

It is reported that a pilgrimage to Athos will be possible only by official invitation from monasteries or sketes. Unauthorized movements on the territory of the Holy Mountain and requests for accommodation in other monasteries without an invitation will be prohibited. All pilgrims are required to obtain permission from the Pilgrimage Office no later than 12:00 the day before arrival. Exceeding the established quotas will not be possible, and violation of the rules will result in the revocation of the invitation. The rules may be temporarily relaxed, but only during major church holidays.

As we reported earlier, at the end of November 2024, a group of pilgrims, including OCU chaplains and members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, visited Holy Mount Athos. While traveling through the monasteries of Athos, those who took part in the pilgrimage shouted nationalist slogans and took photos with the national flag of Ukraine.