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Deconstructing Mount Athos: An Image of the Sacred in English Literature
David Parry explores the history of Mount Athos and the Orthodox Christian monks who worship there. The book also look at the value of mystery in religion and consider whether hermitism and Eastern forms of Christian worship are a means of addressing existential crisis. Parry also compares the mythical history of Britain with that of Greece and sees similarities between English literature and Eastern Orthodoxy. The existential pondering in the book is often framed in the context of Parry's personal fascination with Kierkegaard.
256 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 28, 2014
What a truly extraordinary book! You may have only a vague idea of what Mount Athos is and why it is sacred to monks of the Orthodox Christian tradition, but this book is more than a coffee table ornament filled with trivia. David Parry is not the type of author one might imagine would write a book on the subject of Christian worship in Greece, being as he is, a pagan Englishman, but he has a background in religious studies, literature, theatre and poetry.
Parry has explored the subject of religion in previous works such as ‘The Grammar of Witchcraft’, in which the relationship between geography and spirituality is also considered. Here in Mount Athos we also find the pagan-like regard for spiritual significance in natural surroundings. Indeed, as the book details, the sacred peninsula, accessible today only by boat, was thought to be touched by celestial powers even in pagan times; in his Iliad, Homer makes mention of the goddess Hera’s visit to Athos.
Parry doesn’t just list historical facts about Mount Athos, but examines the devotion of the Orthodox monks from Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Russia who worship in its serene but beautifully desolate monasteries. Parry puts forth the theory that the Eastern Orthodox monks and their hermit like struggle for existence in an environment where nature’s power is ever ominous and over-bearing, is a continuation of the heroic ideal of Ancient Greece and chivalric medieval Europe. In this sense their devotion is a response to existential crisis akin to that of Kierkegaard, who Parry credits as the father of “deconstruction.” Parry, despite his pagan beliefs, sees in the intricate ritual of Christian Orthodoxy, a vision of transcendent beauty and in the devotion of the monks, a heroic will to life, albeit a humble Christian manifestation. Parry quotes Kierkegaard, with whom he admits to being obsessed.
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”
In their dogmatic adherence to ancient Eastern rituals, the monks are more aware of what this Danish philosopher was trying to say than Protestant reformers could ever imagine. Parry attempts to understand the phenomenon of human existence by looking at Mount Athos and its inhabitants through a combination of three different perspectives; the practical analysis of rational deconstruction, the solemn acceptance of sacred mystery and the life affirming assertion of self expression through creative action.
Another fascinating aspect of the book from my perspective is Parry’s frequent comparison of Mount Athos to Britain. He sees similarities between English literature and Eastern Orthodoxy, each drawing on some of the same Ancient European ideological perspectives and also each relying on a combination of fact and myth to bring their surroundings alive with mystery and meaning. England has long looked to Ancient Greece and her myths for inspiration and seen kindred spirits in her heroes and scholars. The Grail legend and writings of Malory place the Albion of old in the same semi-mystical context that Ancient Greece inhabits in its respective mythology. Though separated by millennia and a continent, we still see something familiar in the sun-bleached pagan land of ancient Greece. Deconstructing Mount Athos is something of a cultural translation service, revealing the beauty of religious mystery in the Mediterranean to our curious Northern souls.
The book details how the English fascination with Greece and Mount Athos continues with figures such as literary hero Lord Byron, who died in Greece and the satirist Edward Lear, who jokingly referred to it in a letter as follows, “So I am looking forward to escaping from the hustlefusledom and perhaps may settle down as a monk on Mount Athos eventually”.
After reading Deconstructing Mount Athos, I’m inclined to echo his sentiments!
Parry has explored the subject of religion in previous works such as ‘The Grammar of Witchcraft’, in which the relationship between geography and spirituality is also considered. Here in Mount Athos we also find the pagan-like regard for spiritual significance in natural surroundings. Indeed, as the book details, the sacred peninsula, accessible today only by boat, was thought to be touched by celestial powers even in pagan times; in his Iliad, Homer makes mention of the goddess Hera’s visit to Athos.
Parry doesn’t just list historical facts about Mount Athos, but examines the devotion of the Orthodox monks from Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Russia who worship in its serene but beautifully desolate monasteries. Parry puts forth the theory that the Eastern Orthodox monks and their hermit like struggle for existence in an environment where nature’s power is ever ominous and over-bearing, is a continuation of the heroic ideal of Ancient Greece and chivalric medieval Europe. In this sense their devotion is a response to existential crisis akin to that of Kierkegaard, who Parry credits as the father of “deconstruction.” Parry, despite his pagan beliefs, sees in the intricate ritual of Christian Orthodoxy, a vision of transcendent beauty and in the devotion of the monks, a heroic will to life, albeit a humble Christian manifestation. Parry quotes Kierkegaard, with whom he admits to being obsessed.
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”
In their dogmatic adherence to ancient Eastern rituals, the monks are more aware of what this Danish philosopher was trying to say than Protestant reformers could ever imagine. Parry attempts to understand the phenomenon of human existence by looking at Mount Athos and its inhabitants through a combination of three different perspectives; the practical analysis of rational deconstruction, the solemn acceptance of sacred mystery and the life affirming assertion of self expression through creative action.
Another fascinating aspect of the book from my perspective is Parry’s frequent comparison of Mount Athos to Britain. He sees similarities between English literature and Eastern Orthodoxy, each drawing on some of the same Ancient European ideological perspectives and also each relying on a combination of fact and myth to bring their surroundings alive with mystery and meaning. England has long looked to Ancient Greece and her myths for inspiration and seen kindred spirits in her heroes and scholars. The Grail legend and writings of Malory place the Albion of old in the same semi-mystical context that Ancient Greece inhabits in its respective mythology. Though separated by millennia and a continent, we still see something familiar in the sun-bleached pagan land of ancient Greece. Deconstructing Mount Athos is something of a cultural translation service, revealing the beauty of religious mystery in the Mediterranean to our curious Northern souls.
The book details how the English fascination with Greece and Mount Athos continues with figures such as literary hero Lord Byron, who died in Greece and the satirist Edward Lear, who jokingly referred to it in a letter as follows, “So I am looking forward to escaping from the hustlefusledom and perhaps may settle down as a monk on Mount Athos eventually”.
After reading Deconstructing Mount Athos, I’m inclined to echo his sentiments!
December 4, 2019
In lush, lucid, effusive poetic prose bespeaking a great passion for the subjects involved, David Parry sings various themes converging on (not just the summit of) Mount Athos, whilst locating and tracing his own Quagan heritage, all the while providing warning and recommendation for our not, he finds, wholly (spiritually) dark times.
November 23, 2020
I adore this book. It is not only beautiful, but one of the most in-depth volumes I have ever read. I have learnt so much. The author is honest, humorous, intelligent, humble, and restless through and through. The text itself is concentrated and packed with knowledge. Please, buy this book and join me.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews