The ''diamonitirion'' ( el, διαμονητήριον) is a special written permit required for entry to

Mount Athos Mount Athos (; el, Ἄθως, ) is a mountain in the distal part of the eponymous Athos peninsula and site of an important centre of Eastern Orthodox monasticism in northeastern Greece. The mountain along with the respective part of the penins ...

that is compulsory for all visitors. The diamonitirion is granted only to men, since women are forbidden from entering Mount Athos. Pilgrim applications are made at the Mount Athos Pilgrims' Bureau in

Thessaloniki Thessaloniki (; el, Θεσσαλονίκη, , also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece, with over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area, and the capi ...

, Greece, while visitors from holy orders (Orthodox monks and clerics) must also seek written permission (''evlogia'') from the

Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople ( el, Οἰκουμενικὸν Πατριαρχεῖον Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, translit=Oikoumenikón Patriarkhíon Konstantinoupóleos, ; la, Patriarchatus Oecumenicus Constanti ...

Istanbul Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...

. Applicants must then visit the Mount Athos Pilgrims' Bureau in

Ouranoupoli Ouranoupoli ( el, Ουρανούπολη, lit=Sky City, formerly ''Ouranopolis'') is an ancient city and a modern village in Chalcidice. The village is today called Ouranoupoli. Location The village of Ouranoupoli is situated on the coastlin ...

, usually on the morning of the departure by boat for Mount Athos, to receive the actual diamonitirion. Pilgrims must always keep their diamonitirion with them at all times during their visit to Mount Athos.

Types

There are two types of diamonitirions: *The ''genikon diamonitirion'' or "general permit" is issued by the Pilgrims' Bureau (officially known as the ''Holy Executive οf the Holy Mount Athos - Pilgrims' Bureau'') in Thessaloniki, located on Egnatia Street near the

Arch of Galerius The Arch of Galerius ( el, Αψίδα του Γαλερίου) or Kamara (Καμάρα) and the Rotunda (Ροτόντα) are neighbouring early 4th-century AD monuments in the city of Thessaloniki, in the region of Central Macedonia in northern Gr ...

. This permit gives the right to stay in Mount Athos for 3 nights (4 days including the day of departure). It can be extended in

Karyes Karyes (Greek: Καρυές, before 1930: Αράχωβα - ''Arachova'') is a village of the Peloponnese peninsula, which is located in the southern part of Greece. The Peloponnese is made up of a number of states and Karyes belongs to the state ...

if necessary, generally for an additional two nights. This permit is limited to 100 Orthodox visitors and 10 non-Orthodox visitors per day. Pilgrims can apply up to 6 months in advance. High season is typically during July, August, Christmas,

Great Lent Great Lent, or the Great Fast, (Greek: Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή or Μεγάλη Νηστεία, meaning "Great 40 Days," and "Great Fast," respectively) is the most important fasting season of the church year within many denominat ...

, and Easter, and slots may fill up a few months in advance. *The ''idikon diamonitirion'' or "individual permit" ( el, ειδικον διαμονητήριον) is issued by the monastery itself for a period usually from 4 days to 1 year, officially with the right to reside only in the monastery indicated in the invitation (although in practice, a pilgrim with this permission may actually also stay overnight in any other monastery).

References

External links

Visit Mount Athos
{{Mount Athos Mount Athos International travel documents