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Mount Athos · Stop 3 · Day 1
Karyes: the Protaton
370 m above sea level
In the Bible
Mary, visiting Elizabeth, says that from now on all generations will call her blessed.
Luke 1:46–48
Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.Tradition
By tradition, in the 10th century an angel sang the hymn «It is truly meet» to a monk in a cell near Karyes, before the icon now kept in the Protaton; pilgrims venerate it as the icon «Axion Estin».
Here today
The small capital of Athos, seat of the Holy Community; its church, the Protaton, of the 10th century, keeps wall paintings of c. 1300.
Before you travel, check your country’s travel advice. Opening hours and the rules of the sites change — see their official pages.
Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).