The whole world knows the myths of ancient Greece. Anyone who comes to this country hears here legends associated with Zeus, Heracles or Aphrodite. And where to lodge the gods? Greek people settled in the mountains. As time passed, the Greeks adopted Christianity. Who now inhabits the mountains in Greece?
Mountain country
Greece is the fifth alpine country in Europe. Most of the country is covered by mountain ranges - even on the seashore and islands. Mountains in Greece are an integral part of the landscape and the historical and cultural character of Greece. Two mountain ranges, Pindus and the Rhodope Mountains, stretch across the country.
The Pindus mountain range is the basis of mainland Greece. In the ancient period, mainland Greece, the peninsula of Asia Minor, the Ionian Islands and the islands of the Aegean Sea constituted a single land mass. The Rhodopes are a continuation of the Balkan Mountains.
Severe living conditions explain the fact that the villages in the mountains in the country are much smaller than the settlements in the lowlands.
Mount Olympus
The highest mountain in Greece is Olympus, known worldwide thanks to ancient Greek mythology. The mountain range, consisting of 52 peaks from 760 to 2,918 m high, with steep ravines and high peaks, rocky peaks, deep gorges, alpine meadows and dense forests.
Diverse peaks, dense fog, low clouds and terrifying summer thunderstorms at the top - such is the face of Olympus. One can easily imagine that it caused awe and admiration of the ancient Greeks who lived in the foothills (excavations show that settlements existed already in the 16th century BC). The inaccessibility for people of life on the top of the mountain and the natural religiosity of the ancestors of the present Greeks were expressed in the folk epos by the legends of the twelve gods living here led by Zeus.
Today, in the country, on the sites of former idol temples or near them, Orthodox churches and monasteries are organized. The highest mountain in Greece is no exception. The chapel of the holy prophet Elijah on the top of 2803 m was built in the 16th century by the holy reverend Dionysius of Olympia. This small church, 1.6 m high, is made of dolomite slabs found in the surrounding area. Every year, on the feast of Elijah the Prophet, the monks of the monastery of St. Dionysius rise to the chapel to serve here the Divine Liturgy. Hundreds of believers join them.
Mount Psiloritis
Ida (or Psiloritis) - the highest mountain on the island of Crete. Greece has always been a religious country. Here, not only legends and myths about the gods took shape, but also temples and shrines were erected.
Psiloritis is a mountain in ancient Greece, at the top of which there was a sanctuary, and myths tell us that Zeus was born and raised here. Now on top of the Psiloritis, the Church of the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros) has been erected. The church is made of stones without a binder according to the same methodology as mitato - shepherd's huts, common in the mountains of Crete.
September 14 - in Greece, the Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (in Russia this holiday falls on September 27). This is a holiday in honor of which a chapel was erected. On the eve of September 13, the inhabitants of Crete come to the foot of the mountain to go all the way to the top with the priest and spend the night there. The next morning, on the feast day, they join in a ministry inside a small church.
In a sermon on the Exaltation of the Cross, Rev. Andrei of Crete says: “The cross is erected, and the enemy power of Satan, defeated, falls and laments. The cross is erected and all believers flock. The cross is erected and the cities triumph and the people celebrate.”
Meteors
Meteors are a cluster of huge dark sandstone rocks. This amazing place is a monastic state located on majestic steep cliffs.
The first inhabitants of Meteor are hermit monks who, moving away from earthly goods, were housed in small caves and rocky depressions. Where you can indulge in prayer and spiritual life away from people.
Currently, the Meteora is the second most important monastery complex in Greece after the Holy Mountain. Monasteries are located on the tops of steep stone blocks.
Mount Athos
No mountains are more amazing than mountains in Greece. Athos is a monastic state, and the only such place on the planet. Mount Athos in Greece is dedicated to the prayer feat and worship of God. The holy place, which was taken under the cover of the Most Holy Theotokos, where monastic prayer for peace is continually offered. Prayer not only of the Greeks, but Orthodox monks from around the world. Here, in addition to Greek, there are Georgian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Russian, Romanian monasteries.
The ancient Athos monasteries retain innumerable riches: the relics of the holy saints of God, Christian relics, and miraculous icons. But the main wealth saved on the Holy Mountain is a thousand-year spiritual life in the traditions of glorious Byzantium and other Orthodox peoples. Athos is a spiritual school of repentance and humility, where the unity of Orthodoxy is manifested in all its diversity.
Ancient Greek myths and Christianity
Despite the fact that myths are found in Greece everywhere, wherever you go, they are only myths - fairy tales. As in Russia, tales of Baba Yaga and Lesh. The people keep the legends of the ancient Greek gods in their memory and lovingly tell tourists. But true faith is Orthodoxy.
The Greeks are ready to climb the mountains during church holidays, perform the sacraments of Baptism and Wedding at the top of the mountains, go to the mountains to spend their whole lives in a prayer feat. And now what happens: the mountains in Greece - the place where he lives ... God?