Athos has restricted access to foreign pilgrims for the sake of preserving the monastic way of life

The Sacred Community of Athos has announced new restrictions on foreign pilgrims visiting the Holy Mountain, aiming to protect its traditional monastic lifestyle and deep prayerful spirit. According to the monks, the uncontrolled influx of visitors threatens the spiritual atmosphere of Athos, turning it from a place of secluded prayer into a tourist attraction. The new measures will take effect on June 14, 2025, coinciding with the appointment of the new Holy Superintendent, as reported by Romfea.

The monks emphasize that these measures are necessary to safeguard Athos’ hesychastic tradition, which has been endangered by the increasing number of visitors. Despite the restrictions introduced in December 2024, the number of pilgrims has not decreased. According to the monks, this is due to the activities of travel agencies posing as pilgrimage bureaus. Some of them collaborate with monks and monasteries, offering commercial trips.

During a meeting of the Sacred Community, concerns were raised that Athos is increasingly being seen as a tourist destination rather than a place of prayer. As a result, the number of permits for foreign pilgrims will be reduced to 300 per month, while Greeks and Cypriots will be allowed to visit without limitations.

An exception has been made for the Slavic monasteries of Hilandar, Zograf, and St. Panteleimon—pilgrims from Serbia, Bulgaria, Russia, and Ukraine will continue to have unrestricted access.

Earlier, it was also reported that Priest Demos Sergelidis filed a complaint against the Primate of the Cypriot Orthodox Church, Archbishop George of Cyprus. Sergelidis hopes that the Holy Synod of the Cypriot Orthodox Church will overturn his six-month suspension from priestly duties, which was imposed by the Church leader due to his criticism of the Primate’s ecumenical policies.