nic origin will comprise the Greek population in the coming
decades, this one corner of Greece remains a window to traditional Orthodox culture, however diverse the origins of the
monks might be.
To sustain Athos in the context of the new Europe is to affirm the importance Europe gives to each of its components,
however small. The same holds true for ancient and venerated communities, historic sites, synagogues, churches and
mosques and other sites of all faiths and denominations. Such
considerations might apply elsewhere as well.
On our last day at Athos, we were received by the distinguished
then Governor, George Dalakouras, whose office, ably administered by Eleni Kouvava, assisted in organizing our visit.
Appointed by the Greek government, the Governor interacts
with the Council of Abbots who govern this most remarkable
semi-autonomous, theocratic state.
B
ack in Ouranoupolis, our Hertz representative met us
with the van that transported us seven hours east from Athos
through the great agricultural plains to Alexandroupolis where
we were joined by Sarah, then a professor at Rhode Island
School of Design. The same day we took a ferry to Samothraki, a verdant island, seemingly purpose built to house its
towering mountain, Fengari (���moon mountain���), the highest
in the Aegean. I had wanted to climb it since my voyage on
HYLAND
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