The Holy Monks of Mount Athos

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Notes

Mount Athos sits at the end of one of the many Greek peninsulas in the north of the county. Tradition has it that Mary, mother of Jesus, visited the site in antiquity, and so it is often called "the garden of the Theokotos (mother of God)."

Today, the peninsula is home to several Greek Orthodox monasteries and has its own government separate from that of Greece Proper. It is considered the center of Orthodox Christianity, much the same was as the Vatican is considered the center of Western/Roman Catholic Christianity.

A few years ago, I had the great privilege to have a brief contact via amateur radio with one of the monks living there: Brother Apollo from the Docheiariou Monastery. Shown is a postcard I have as proof of the contact:

Brother Apollo, at the time, was battling brain cancer, and would pass away within the year. He was the only licensed amateur radio operator at Mount Athos and was considered a great friend to the world-wide community. We all miss him dearly. This track, and indeed, this album, are dedicated to his memory.

By the way, the astute listener will soon realize this is a cover of Seven by The Redeemer Project.