Monasteries of Meteora

Meteora refers to the rock formation in Central Greece and the area hosts six active monasteries of Eastern Orthodox Church. In the 14th century, monks from Mount Athos ( a peninsula in northeastern Greece and the center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism) moved to this area, fleeting the raids by the Ottoman empire. Understandably, the access to the monasteries was deliberately difficult, and the primary means of moving goods and people were ropes and baskets. Nowadays, steps have been cut into the rock, and a few hundred steps and a 3-euro ticket let any visitors inside.

I explored this area for three consecutive days, having my base in the nearby town Kalambaka. Like most other visitors, I was initially impressed by the views and enjoyed being surrounded by nature – the winter sunlight, quietness, and the wind. But as usual, the visual pleasure became less exciting over time, and I began wondering about the life of the monks. There are still monks there, and you can see them doing their things in the monasteries or answering quick questions by the visitors.

Maintaining the self-identity as a monk must be a lot different from doing the same thing during the time of Ottoman raids or earlier. A physically remote and secluded lifestyle would have been more convincing when the world was far less connected and war was deemed a ‘usual human activity’. I wondered what they would be thinking when they see hundreds of visitors every day, knowing that most of them were just drawn to the gorgeous scenery of their village? I wondered about their source of joy in life and their motives to continue to follow the centuries-old religious teachings and rules. I realize I should have just carefully asked them there.

@ Meteora, Greece, February 23, 2020