Post Script
During the summer of 2008 we climbed Mount Athos, 6,670
feet (3,033 meters) from sea level up. The steep, forested
mountain ascends directly from the often tumultuous sea that
surrounds it on three sides.
Our party included three guides, one guide doctor, one mule
driver, twelve mules and six pilgrims: with me were Constantino, Steve, Costas, Alex and Valera. At the summit we placed
an icon in its own grotto facing Mount Fengari to the east
where we had placed an icon the year before.
Although it was July our stay overnight on the summit was
freezing, with strong winds. I gazed down into the dark sea
where the Spartans lost fifty ships and Darius, King of Persia,
lost three hundred ships.
In the morning as the sun came up over Asia Minor the pyramid-like shadow of Athos stretched across the sea to the west.
The ���Garden of the Virgin,��� as the monks refer to Athos,
stretched out as far as I could see to the north, peaceful and
beautiful.
Such moments affirm the journey.
H
All photography by Christopher Hyland, except page 67, credit Seth Pariser, p. 34,
credit Constantino Castellano, and p.63, credit Hannes Schneider.
Shadow of Mount Athos
