PILGRIMAGE Athos Impressions, meditations and itinerary to the Holy Mountain

 Before describing the beautiful pilgrimage, I want to confess spent a wonderful thing in my life. I was someday in the cemetery, meditating, praying for the dead to eternal life and I thought that the dead bodies in tombs and rest and times in which they occurred. Thinking suddenly thought I ran to my travels in Europe and Asia, reminding me that I traveled in Europe long and wide but I am not worthy to Mount Athos God to arrive. I prayed simply to pray to get my life ephemeral there, and he heard me, a sinner pray the Lord, because a week later he calls me fellow students and ask me if I wanted to go to Athos. I enjoyed it and I said "God is great" and listen and the less faithful. I confessed that great, some may believe in divine dispensation, others may say it's coincidence. In May the day ten of the month, I went to Athos, prelates, advisers and people of Iasi feat. Three priests and five laymen (including the driver), I made a prayer for the trip and then started interesting discussions maieutics, gnoseologic and sometimes anecdotal. Everyone was cheerful and happy, some had served on Athos, but most went for the first time. I passed the night in the mountains Scores Bulgaria and rain began clinking not see 10 meters in front and beauty phenomenon and lightning. Morning rain I reached the monastery St. John of Rilla, an extraordinary monastery, painted on the outside, large chandelier (with an interesting shape) and Pavement yard. We pray the holy icons and a monk (Romanian or knew Romanian), he found relics of John the Rilla who were in a reliquary beautiful wood colored (which is under the icon of the Savior the iconostasis) real Rainbows (but not bone Kitsch), we prayed, and then I got blessing from the bishop, I bought one and went cold keepsake. (It was a very beautiful landscape and he made an impression mystical monastery). One of the parents had the inspiration "divine" and took a plum home and gave us one tot we warmed body and heart rejoiced us. In Greece after customs, we stopped and ate all the food station, tired but happy because we are approaching the Holy Mountain. At our Bulgarian brothers highway it was good but not least the drivers and communist ghettos. Instead we recommend the Greeks to repair some roads because otherwise bushings and springs often change cars. In the afternoon we came to Thessalonica, we stayed at Hotel Heaven after a shower I went to the monastery St. Anastasia and we worshiped the relics, we smelled, smelled like heaven all felt fragrance and when to pray Do not you wanted to go, close your coffin and meditating, we realesys smart saint chosen the good part and my mundane concerns of my heart stuck. In the evening we had dinner all at a fast food after we've broken hands "tongue-gym" because Greece did not know that "English," the flea market. We had fun, we talked at the table and then went to rest helpless bodies. In the morning I woke up early and went out in the garden, we have analyzed mountains, dew and mist coming out of the ground, I remembered the book of Genesis and the begining  world when it was not raining. All were awakened cheerful, relaxed and happy, we all ate well, drank coffee and talked about theology and holy blaze. I admire God's creation and panorama, and then I went cheerfully in the center of Thessaloniki. Here I was at St. Ven. David and St. Anna and we all prayed and relics smelled great and I noticed that they all have their personal fragrance (specify). Then I arrived at the church St. Sofia and St. Basil of Thessaloniki where there were groups of Germans. I talked to some old (German) and were deeply impressed by the beauty of relics and churches. Later we went to church St. Anisa and St. Hierarch Gregory and Metropolitan of Thessaloniki where they were the relics of St. Gregory Palama. There I met groups of nuns in Romania, with old pilgrim priests who admired and marveled at the beauty of the buildings. At the same time we visited the city, newer and older buildings, mediteraniano-Romanesque in style, and houses are roofed terrace; it is observed that had a dignity that did not affect democratic communism "gray" construction. On the cliff I met Father Romanian Cleopas, we remember the boys to wear in their prayers and talked with him and then we walked on the beach where I noticed that terraces with panoramic sea were full time 11:00 and the children came home from school. Boys talking wondered, "Who works in Greece where everyone is the terrace? "" Why come so fast up the kids? ". Here some of the group visited the seafront White Tower, a tower with an interesting history, where many Christians were tortured. A colleague photographed the ships and I was informed about the history, economy and university town. I had lunch at a Greek restaurant and I found that the employer had discussions wife of Romanian Constanta and he learned from it. After lunch we visited the church of St. Demetrios the Myrrh and we closed the relics and then go to the Monastery of St. John the Divine where we worshiped at the tomb of St. Paisios recently canonized. There were many people worshiped at his tomb, and the monastery was extremely clean and well equipped in terms of landscape. There were terraces and window boxes with flowers, the garden and the view was great delight in you. The monastery had a well-defined program that strictly kept (in terms of visits) and we enjoyed departure of shit and a glass of cold water. Interesting is that the monastery had and offered cash register receipts, which impressed the "prosecutor" who accompanied us. This was the last visit, I left behind Thessaloniki, (a very beautiful city with its history), many churches, old buildings, the arena where gladiators fought and now grow grass and trees. How many died there, how many bets were placed and how many were bloody battles, but time has stopped all and remained only ruins. I saw many beggars in Thessaloniki alcoholics of their own, one I really wanted to give him a drink but I also found I was grudgingly (I personally). Along the way we talked to one parent and analyzed their flora and fauna, appreciating that not even arid but also rich in some areas. The landscapes are very beautiful houses with a certain line and some architecture.
Ouranopolli evening we reached, we stayed at an old lady who had a pension with musty, cheap is true and intimate at the same time. I had dinner at a Greek restaurant and our guide recommended a godly parent boys octopus in wine sauce which they loved some and not to others. Romanian waiter and payment was us "tumbled" for me romanian beer cost me more than dinner, bon there, but at least it was nice because we all discussed and admired the sea. I visited the town and found it quite interesting that many terraces, cafes, restaurants and shops with religious objects.
SIGNING TO ATHOS morning we got up early and went to port, waited to bring us permission to stay in Athos, and the car came to a citizen you have the figure of "con" that was on the exciting and unexpected handed these "dispatches" after we boarded the ferry. I talked to some Germans, and were charmed pilgrimage of mystical orthodoxy. I analyzed the sea and Mount Athos have seen many "houses" / cells, which assume certain monk"s live. I landed at Monastiry Dohariu where the icon of Virgin Mary "swift obedient." Manas is a beautiful stone gardens and lemon trees. We closed the icon and saw an old monk who had a strange disease and the compartment. I wondered in my mind, why does it or what hides behind this behavior. I stayed at the refectory table, ocassion I was seated alongside a Russian bishop came to visit. It was reddened face (redhead) and Ps looked like Varlaam, was facing a crystal glass and a carafe of wine "rose", cutlery and china plate. November mortals ate in metal bowls and drank water. Macaroni fade with boys called them an apple and a salad of herbs. One of the parents can not suffer food I cared thousand pasta bland and I 'saved' and me saved me bell that beat Bishop (all rose sharply and a poor monks left to eat something probably not have teeth or eat too difficult). We bishop blessed all and went on foot to the monastery Xenophon. The scenery was enchanting mountain flowers, flowering trees, fresh air and tranquility celestial undisturbed. We made one stop and talk, one parent told us some anecdotes that made us all smile. I stopped at Spring St. George and we had enough water body with beneficial. Tradition holds that the icon has come from this source to sea after being thrown into the sea iconomachy. Arriving at Xenophon, we prayed and we prayed at Holy Icons, and then we all sang the icon of the Virgin "Shine up, shine up," we analyzed construction and roof and noticed that all constructions Athos instead of tiles have shaped stone, which gives a character and beautiful architecture of churches and hermitages. Upon leaving I saw smoking place for pilgrims, and the ferry station aştepare two monks busily smoking, super. Of course I started talking with them and tried to find out their views on vice. They confessed that he smokes and rebuke abbot for 15 years. Smoking only free time and were not allowed to smell in strange cigarette. The Saintly Blood was no problem because the canons do not provide defect they say ... Our journey continued by sea to the port of Dafni, the largest port of Athos and from there we took a bus old and dust full travelers to the capital Karyes . Climbing the mountain serpentines, you go through that thought might hurt brake "tramwai" (as I called myself bus) and you could quickly reach the Lord. Arriving at Karyes well, we supplied the stores with the necessary and we went to the church where we Protaton worshiped icon of the Virgin Mary "Axion Estin" and admired edifice. From here we head to great Russian monastery St. Andrew, where we worshiped at Cape St. Andrew and icons. The church is large, impressive, Russians specific "Bolshoi" and gilded iconostasis extraordinary, solid apses church and the painting of rare beauty. I played here shine and Risen Christ as we walk to the "center" and on the way I saved a turtle that came out on the road.

With adventures "TRAMWAIUL" Father of Mr MITICĂ (guide), contact a Romanian driver and rents a van modified for off-road wheels. building his jokes were a little outdated and rather silly. She smelled mouth "make" and approached the pit too hard, (risky, could break the bank and was taken). The coaches have climbed four priests in Hunedoara, humble guys as he called one of our parents, even meek I would call him, who had come to pray at the Holy Mountain. Der Alchoolismus of snow mythical would not have made some fun of them to offend, but they were fun of his stupidity. Of course while Mr. Mitica was a guide, it provides explanations and annotations of Mount Athos, (some wrong, but some useful). Annotated he who sat on the back bench, his teeth chattering badly and she saw Mr Mitica () who turned his head and talk to us. I saw beautiful scenery and Mount Athon, which still had patches of snow. We were charged Nea Mitica Avid and "şpăgar businessman", parents of Hunedoara gave them elsewhere, and the new Hermitage Lake. Here was a Dutchman who converted to Orthodox and talked little with him (especially one of our parents was more interested in the case). A monk fanatic us receiving water, Uzzo and shit, go worship in the Church, (very small, with a parquet on the floor and the height was 2, 10, for me gave aspect of booth (no critical, no object ... they were likely possibilities) and go down to Simeon monk's cell. As we descended, the freshness of the air, forests and atmosphere revived us from all points of view (or at least me, for I was not tired) . We were greeted by a monk who worked in gardening, stay and invited to attend Vespers. Read Psalm, weigh the parents' voices (although poor monks did not know to sing, father sang the book) I was thinking Barnea, you two would have made if he had heard. After finishing Vespers, I ate a frugal (that evening) and each went to the cells of our (parents separated, we laypeople separately). I left on paths with a rod made of the forest in order to find a monk or a mystic, I saw beautiful landscapes, meditated and to my gratitude, I found a house / hut of a monk, but I did not dare to go to not to disturb anyone. Walking me through the woods, hearing the murmur of delight to me, but I confess that there were times when they whisper and roar turns into the forest density (creating a semi-dark, gave you a feeling of fear). After this long walk, I came back in the same place we found a monk at the monastery was talking to someone on the phone and moaned certain temptations brothers. In the guest bedroom, the atmosphere was hot, laughter and stories, the driver Mr. "calculatorist" happy and warm from "Raki". Mr. Prosecutor meditate and fell asleep exhausted and colleague "university" was not yet decided whether or not participating in the Mass. At 1:30 am, waking up as the army, and chop bell on hearing the noise, for some it was punishment, tired faces and grimaces of bewilderment on their faces, but arriving in the church looked because of "trouble". Before going to St. Mass, I went in the darkness of the night to see something (personal) and I looked on high heaven. So beautiful was Venus vault and brightness, the stars in immediately as I remembered the German philosopher Kant who said that two things are amazed at the strong "human consciousness and the sky". The brightness of stars is stronger there because the darkness is not "broken / diluted" by streetlights or house. Returning to Mass, I read the tam-dem Mr. Prosecutor psalms, sang parents and fatigue caused one parent to invent a new "formula doxology" which amused us morning at breakfast. Stammering babbling priest, we create difficulties to meet the strange and often do, was to miss the correct answer. I played nicely anyway, he liked them so that they (the monks) makes more sense than to sing in the morning I did requiem for the dead, we discussed the court hermitage, I admired the mountains and got a table (kids I say ), weighing and diptych left. I had with him to say "Hello" to the monks retreated into cells without saying goodbye. I climbed Mount difficult, winding paths and stairs sketches and meet at a place normal discussion with Pr. Paisie I do not want to criticize him, but tends toward fanaticism. I explain that doctrinal error and starts a practice station pending a circus gathered all laymen and monks among them a more batty, what annoyed and somewhat developed. (It's okay, I'm working on a case, send email and diplomatic correct it, after the suggestion of Mr. Prosecutor). Comes Nea Mitica, of course, to "make" in the head, takes extra parents from Hunedoara and start the adventure with "tramwaiul". Jokes his "exuberant" but this time I really ran away, until I got angry and I told him to keep his head that (full tow) as and talk that we hear so. I sang along with priests from Hunedoara in the car (Christ is risen) and went to Vatopedi, he knew something nea Mitica history and explains according to his expression rather prolix. I do not know why (învârteală) was a citizen took on the road and we went to a monastery Romanian here abbot keeps us a paraenesis the threshold about Arsenie Boca and ask us if we know what pecuniary and me a little I missed not to say anything, because in all the talk and bitter against the priest from Hunedoara, whom they called "Guilty without guilt" for sell of ​​lithographs etc., from the tomb of Father; (Please note that at this sketch, stayed about three months Arsenie Boca). Arriving at Vatopedi, I saw many icons including the so-called "shot" head ear incorrupt St. John Chrysostom (+ 407), we worshiped pious and a French monk, was very kind to us because we spoke play He received welcome and gave us oil and some (cords) that faith and prayer, women who do not conceive babies should wear and using open source Virgin quickening. We asked permission from parent to sing (shine) the icon of the Virgin, and left us, and when singing parent who knows what he saw in us or what memories I woke up, crying, may joy or something .... be helpful to them and those who worshiped with faith and hope, because the Lord hears their prayers! After I bought some souvenirs, incense and more after need and "command" wives, I went to the Russian Hermitage St. Proorc Elijah edifice "Bolshoi" with beautiful paintings and altarpieces full of gold. I played here the icon of St. Paisie Velcikovski of Neamt and we worshiped icon of the Virgin "tearful". Parents in Hunedoara, were impressed by the third song of the risen Christ and want to learn, to transfer it to their faithful in Transylvania; Recall here "calculatoristului" to send footage to enjoy their hearts ... We start to Stavronikita monastery, where the icon of Virgin Mary that was removed from the sea with a shell stuck to his forehead, tradition says (or at least his mouth Mr Mitica) that when they wanted to peel off shell bled so remaining in history with this miracle. I analyzed and the truth is, traces of blood can be seen today. Here we worship and icon of St. Nicholas and especially those that bear his name. Departure to the Monastery Iviron, of course the driver's condition worsened his jokes "good" continued, but at least amuse me "bufoneala" him, especially when he explains the history of the monasteries. I hope not to confuse, but note that here we met again with the Russian bishop Rusikon with a jar and movers guard him, but what stood out louder, was "bittern" his bodyguard KG B -ist that have more than 2 m, 150 kg of muscle and two tattoos, a mitten on the hand and a "beetles" or snake on his neck. The picture in the monastery, we meantime we worshiped all the relics, which were many, known and unknown saints, and then to meet with Russia's Icon of Our Lady, where I saw a "ritual apart from holy Icon "Touch; (I know the Father. Semen that holiness is not contagious). "Bittern" did not cross himself, looked like the circus to us, who knows what he thought of steaks and şpriţuri and we were bored with our ritual. Iviron leave behind and we go by Karakalou monastery, convent helped by Petru Rares reinforced its expense tower and go to the Great Lavra. Here I admired a beautiful old Cypress, watched avidly to this tree and I admired. We prayed at the tomb of St. Athanasius of Athos, and I saw walking through the yard covered with cloth icon of the Virgin to be protected from U. V and worshiped only one parent Hunedoreanul "clandestine". All this "eccentric" in Kare changed hat a Russian hat, which said that it will bear the winter and hope to sit well.
HERMITAGE ROMANIAN PODROMU
The hosts monks received us well in this hermitage, with the ritual, Uzzo, shit and invitation to lunch. For the first time we were asked Athos residence permit and was enrolled in a thick registry as AAC. I attended Vespers and then I was invited to the refectory, where I ate salads, vegetables, cheese and water. The priests were housed separately and we laymen other (bedrooms cells) are common. To get to the bedroom, to climb printrre some corridors (mazes) dark, which were under repair. The bedroom was clean, modern even I would say, with parquet flooring, windows and walls painted pure; (in the west, were two large paintings Virgin Mary and Christ). We leave luggage and immediately leave for the cave of St. Athanasius, through a gate of the monastery side road, crossing a forest of shrubs (about 2 m), very thick and impressive. In about 30 minutes we arrived here we have wonderful beauty of the landscape, where he chose St. to stay and discussed his physical strength to descend and ascend, because we went down stairs at least 400-500 . In his cave they were left, kettle, coffee, sugar and bottle for pilgrims and was dug in the rock and see all kinds of inputs that were naturally formed depressions. We go back to the monastery cheerful and talk to one of our dear priests Hunedoara, who I confided that "fellow villager" Our Moldovan driver queer, they are took less money on transport, and in fact they paid beading his uncle. I was outraged, Mr. Prosecutor said to calm down and I get over this cunning ... In the bedroom, our IT man, felt lost our driver Mr. and did not go to the cave, he was upset, how, why? ? Etc ... He wanted to go dark, but little impediment were jackals who sang them on the window and the wind that whipped the window. Deferred morning visit is meant to guide the father, but the brandy gave lust for life to boys and laughing very loud coming bearded monk twisted nervously and says, "In this monastery was no longer able to read or pray one" .. . Quiet for five minutes and started from the bedroom next to "speak" Me and Mr. Prosecutor leave to shower and admire the courtyard, the monastery and library to which I arrived. Go to rest, the boys were happy and in a later be lights out after a sleep (vigilance), the bell rang at two in the corridor, and then the great monastery. We go to work and leave the memorial, I sat in the pew right by one of our parents, then we talked to a monk and left the porch commemoration readers. They had hundreds of commemoration candle and read them. The same mystical atmosphere in the church was semiîntunerci, candles and lamps with oil. Morning weary, we said goodbye to parents and went to Karey Hunedoara with the same Mitica us forever bitten by snake. Here I went to Chilia St. Sava the Sanctified and saw a very rare icon of Orthodox iconography, the Virgin suckling child. We leave the port of Dafni here make friends with a monk simple but humble. We embark on a fast boat and arrive at Uranopolis, where we had lunch (cost of living). We thank God and go to the country, the road back was uneventful, weather good, we stop at the border between Bulgaria and Greece, where I did some shopping, and the shop was crap parity money, wanting to trick one of our parents. Once in Romania, at midnight, I saw the People's Salvation Cathedral House, I admired buildings, and I said to the guild, to look good because there will be displaced at the right time. We're going to eat something, and Aghia by a policeman wanted to ruin our mood, our driver ameniţând that it amends. The "underground" this problem traveling all night and I got healthy and I say most spiritual home. Thank you Lord for your help to observe and guide us in all our days to your eternal kingdom !!!! Amen !!!