Mount Athos State

Mount Athos is a self-governed territory of the Greek state (regarding its religious aspect it is subject to the Ecumenical Patriarch), following the old customs and the bill of rights. The executive authority is exercised by four members of Holy Supervision and the legislative authority is exercised by twenty members of the Holy Assembly, to which all monasteries are subject. The Superior of the Holy Supervision represents the first monastery in hierarchical order and is called “Protos” (First) or “Protoepistatis” (First Supervisor). All members are elected by the monks with democratic procedures. The political leader of Mount Athos is elected by the Greek State and is subject to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Karyes is the administration of Mount Athos. It is the capital of the monastic community of Mount Athos, home of Proton (First), Holy Supervision, and Holy Assembly. Karyes is a picturesque village, in the middle of the peninsula and has a magnificent view over the eastern Aegean coasts. It’s a community of residences (konaki) with workshops, shops, hostels and restaurants as well as a police station, a local clinic and a post office.

The monks follow the old Julian calendar (13 days later) and the Byzantine time (O during the sunset, apart from the monks of Monastery Iviron, who count the hours based on the sunrise). Monasteries are closed by sunset and open again at sunrise. Before sunrise, the bell of every monastery rings the bell calling his brothers to the matins.