Every Orthodox believer has heard of Mount Athos. Many dream to get there, to touch the righteous life led by Athos monks. The custom of settling on Athos began with St. Peter, who later became known as Athos.
His story is extraordinary. The emperor, the conqueror of many nations, was captured by the Syrians. Once in prison, Peter turned to the Lord, began to pray a lot, fast and meditate on earthly and heavenly things. His release from captivity, according to legend, is associated with Nicholas the Pleasant, who with one touch freed Peter from shackles and opened the doors of the prison. Peter went to Rome to take a monastic rank.
Meanwhile, the bishop of Rome was in charge. In it, St. Nicholas ordered him to cut his hair as a monk of Peter. After the service, the bishop asked loudly: “Is there Peter who came from the Greek lands?” Peter came forward and was cut.
He returned home in a ship. As they sailed past Mount Athos, the ship stopped moving. No sail or paddle helped. Then the Mother of God appeared to Peter and ordered him to settle there. In a vision she said that Mount Athos would be her lot.
As soon as Peter came ashore, a favorable wind caught the ship, and he quickly disappeared from sight. He spent 53 years alone on the mountain. His clothes were worn out, he was overgrown with hair. The saint fasted for 40 days, and then an angel brought him the Manna of Heaven to strengthen him for the next fast.
Many years later, the saint was accidentally seen by a hunter. At first he was very afraid, but overcame the fear and talked with Peter. During the conversation, the hunter was convinced that before him there was a deserter, whose whole life was devoted to the glorification of the Lord and the Mother of God. He left Peter to return with his demonic brother. But when they entered the cave, Peter was dead. Touching the deceased, the brother of the hunter was healed. That was in 734. The relics of the saint were kept for a long time in the monastery of St. Clement, but in 969 they were transported to the mainland, in Photocami, in Thrace.
Remembrance days
June 25
June 18th Cathedral of the Monks of Athos
The Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Lives of Saints
