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Journey to Mount Athos
On the isolated peninsula of Mount Athos monks and hermits devote their lives to the ancient pursuit of God. Father Spyridon travels to the heart of that experience to discover the wisdom and spirituality of Orthodox Christianity.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 23, 2025
Overall, this was an engaging account of the author's visit to Mt Athos. An English convert to Orthodoxy, as well as a priest, he frequently encounters monks and other pilgrims puzzled by his nationality and being Orthodox. I appreciated his account of his conversion, which was told with sincerity and didn't stoop to some of the usual Orthodox histrionics one often finds in these instances.
The one drawback was near the center of the book, where the author meets a monk who warns, rather mysteriously, about how the author's prayers for the world were sorely needed in the time ahead. That's fair. Then, at the famous monastery of Simonopetra (I think it was), he meets a monk who spoke English and who wanted a lengthy conversation with him. This conversation ends up being a conspiracy laden, anti-deep state (not the term used, but it applies), just way out there screed of how bankers and government bureaucrats were engineering a New World Order (again, not used in the book, but applicable). Throw in some antisemitism and you have what amounts to an Orthodox take on Q-anon. Huge disappointment.
It's unfortunate for Orthodoxy that so many of its religious figures are into these crazy conspiracy trends. It's always tinged in eschatological terms, of course, and as an Orthodox Christian myself, I don't deny the traditional Christian view of the Last Judgment and the End of Days. But in Orthodoxy we don't read from the Revelation of St John the Theologian for a reason: namely, the Apocalypse is mystical and mysterious and we don't know what John is trying to relate with his vision. Naturally, there are a lot of theologoumenon (a theological statement based on personal opinion versus official doctrine or dogma), but the way the author pretty much relates the monk's whackadoodle ideas almost verbatim lends it an air of legitimacy, without any theological explanation of the Orthodox view.
I've read elsewhere that Fr Spyridon traffics in conspiracy theories himself, although I see he has videos on Ancient Faith ministries, hardly a bastion of weird, out-there takes. So I could be wrong. I'm going to read his follow up to this pilgrimage, and I'll certainly be looking to see if this type of writing shows up again.
The one drawback was near the center of the book, where the author meets a monk who warns, rather mysteriously, about how the author's prayers for the world were sorely needed in the time ahead. That's fair. Then, at the famous monastery of Simonopetra (I think it was), he meets a monk who spoke English and who wanted a lengthy conversation with him. This conversation ends up being a conspiracy laden, anti-deep state (not the term used, but it applies), just way out there screed of how bankers and government bureaucrats were engineering a New World Order (again, not used in the book, but applicable). Throw in some antisemitism and you have what amounts to an Orthodox take on Q-anon. Huge disappointment.
It's unfortunate for Orthodoxy that so many of its religious figures are into these crazy conspiracy trends. It's always tinged in eschatological terms, of course, and as an Orthodox Christian myself, I don't deny the traditional Christian view of the Last Judgment and the End of Days. But in Orthodoxy we don't read from the Revelation of St John the Theologian for a reason: namely, the Apocalypse is mystical and mysterious and we don't know what John is trying to relate with his vision. Naturally, there are a lot of theologoumenon (a theological statement based on personal opinion versus official doctrine or dogma), but the way the author pretty much relates the monk's whackadoodle ideas almost verbatim lends it an air of legitimacy, without any theological explanation of the Orthodox view.
I've read elsewhere that Fr Spyridon traffics in conspiracy theories himself, although I see he has videos on Ancient Faith ministries, hardly a bastion of weird, out-there takes. So I could be wrong. I'm going to read his follow up to this pilgrimage, and I'll certainly be looking to see if this type of writing shows up again.
January 31, 2017
I like to read about people's religious lives so I found this book interesting. English former Anglican priest, now Orthodox priest, visits Mount Athos in Greece to savor the spiritual nectar.
I found it engaging, it's an easy read.
The author subtly makes digs at non-orthodox religious groups and he details a monk on Athos ranting about conspiracy theories. But there is not too much of that.
I enjoyed it.
I found it engaging, it's an easy read.
The author subtly makes digs at non-orthodox religious groups and he details a monk on Athos ranting about conspiracy theories. But there is not too much of that.
I enjoyed it.
June 23, 2020
"Journey to Mount Athos " not only is a geographical description of Spyridon Bailey 's pilgrimage but more than that , it is a journey into the Orthodox spirituality. As the author walks different paths on Mount Athos , he discovers not only the beauty and serenity of the place but also the answers for his questions .
January 1, 2018
Beautifully written
Father Spyridion does an amazing job at capturing his experience at Mount Athos. The infusion of personal story telling and the experience of spirituality at The Holy Mountain makes the book an endearing yet profound read.
Father Spyridion does an amazing job at capturing his experience at Mount Athos. The infusion of personal story telling and the experience of spirituality at The Holy Mountain makes the book an endearing yet profound read.
December 6, 2017
Travel memoir
A short, simple, travel memoir with a few good spiritual insights. I only wish his trip had been longer so there was more .
A short, simple, travel memoir with a few good spiritual insights. I only wish his trip had been longer so there was more .
May 8, 2020
A captivating and beautiful story of a priest's visit to the Holy Mountain. Fr. Spyridon's soft and pastoral style found in his videos carries over beautifully into this book.
September 17, 2023
A beautiful book
It was a true blessing to read of Father Spyridon’s journey to Mt Athos.
The spiritual messages woven into the story are simple yet profound
It was a true blessing to read of Father Spyridon’s journey to Mt Athos.
The spiritual messages woven into the story are simple yet profound
February 18, 2017
Humbled
This is an excellent book to read in preparation for Great Lent. It is well written. It is simply written, but the simplicity only adds to the tone of gentle authority and understanding rather than detract from it in any way. Women are not permitted on Mount Athos, and, in some small way, I have glimpsed it through this Father's eyes. It is an excellent read as well as a blessing.
This is an excellent book to read in preparation for Great Lent. It is well written. It is simply written, but the simplicity only adds to the tone of gentle authority and understanding rather than detract from it in any way. Women are not permitted on Mount Athos, and, in some small way, I have glimpsed it through this Father's eyes. It is an excellent read as well as a blessing.
June 1, 2016
Very enlightening
Having been raised in the Orthodox Church and having heard much about Mt Athos, I found this book filled in gaps in my knowledge. Though I have read much on the varieties of mysticism around the world, I have always struggled to explain the ways of Eastern Christianity to those raised in Catholic or Protestant denominations. This book solidified some of the differences for me. I enjoyed that the author's pilgrimage was presented in narrative form. It flowed well for me.
Having been raised in the Orthodox Church and having heard much about Mt Athos, I found this book filled in gaps in my knowledge. Though I have read much on the varieties of mysticism around the world, I have always struggled to explain the ways of Eastern Christianity to those raised in Catholic or Protestant denominations. This book solidified some of the differences for me. I enjoyed that the author's pilgrimage was presented in narrative form. It flowed well for me.
December 7, 2015
Awesome book
An extremely good read.. a true insight into the lives of monks on Mount Athos.. a great guide in orthodox spirituality..
An extremely good read.. a true insight into the lives of monks on Mount Athos.. a great guide in orthodox spirituality..
December 3, 2016
Buy this book. Return to God . This world will pass.
Very good read . a Roman Catholic . Our faith in God and the Holy Spirit are not far apart.
Very good read . a Roman Catholic . Our faith in God and the Holy Spirit are not far apart.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews