The return to normal life in terms of churches and monasteries is approaching, however, Mount Athos, which receives tens of thousands of visitors, expresses concerns over the matter as they believe that there should be no requests for accommodation in the near future.
According to ikivotos.gr., officials of the Holy Community said that the monks did not want to accommodate visitors since the monasteries did not have enough space for accommodating many pilgrims. Churches, guesthouses and dining halls cannot serve pilgrims and cannot function as if they were public services or places of worship. It is also known that monks on Mount Athos have a busy daily routine.
Another problem that the Holy Community will have to face is the origin of the pilgrims, as Mount Athos receives thousands of pilgrims from different countries, such as Russia. The first measure that is expected to be taken concerns the accommodation of a few pilgrims, who will be subject to strict controls. There will also be a number of recommendations to prevent pilgrims from visiting elders with whom they have strong ties.
Although the monks understand the need to visit Mount Athos, those who have planned a pilgrimage should take into account that they might transmit the disease to those who live there. Four monks have already fallen ill and are now in good health. However, this case has raised many concerns over the matter.
There will soon be announcements about whether trips and overnight accommodation will be allowed. Under certain conditions, it may be possible for some pilgrims to visit Mount Athos, but this is not yet officially decided. Mount Athos will apply the same measures with the ones applied in other churches and monasteries. The same holds true for the Meteora, where monasteries will not accommodate visitors.