Fr. Peter Heers: Athos Is the 'Ark of Orthodoxy'
During a recent livestream, Fr. Peter reflected on the 50+ pilgrimages he has made to Mount Athos over the last 30 years. He also spoke to listeners' concerns about the new restrictions on pilgrimages to the Holy Mountain.
FLORENCE — On Tuesday, Fr. Peter Heers of Orthodox Ethos published a three-hour livestream entitled “My Experiences from Mount Athos: A Priest's Reflections after 30 Years”.
“It’s impossible to imagine Orthodoxy without Mount Athos,” Fr. Peter said. Indeed, the Holy Mountain is often called the “spiritual center of the Orthodox Church.”
Heers noted that the monks pray constantly, often sleeping less than three hours at a time so they can rise and pray. Many can pray in their sleep!
“The world is supported by the prayers of the Athonite monks,” said Fr. Peter.
Heers made his first pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain in 1996, at the age of 25. During this first trip, he visited all twenty monasteries on the Monastic Republic. He was also baptized in the Aegean Sea by Elder Parthenios (Mourelatos), the abbot of Agiou Pavlou Monastery.
According to Fr. Peter, Elder Parthenios is one of the great living saints. He recalled these words from St. Paisios the Hagiorite: “There are many abbots on Mount Athos, but there is only one Parthenios!”
Elder Parthenios was elected abbot of Agio Pavlou in 1976. He is 96 years old. Nevertheless, Fr. Peter says that the Elder still comes to the chapel for every Divine Service held throughout the day and night.
Heers also mentioned his friendship with Elder George (Kapsanis), the retired abbot of Grigoriou Monastery. Elder George is a renowned theologian. Several of his works are being translated into English by Fr. Peter’s publishing house, Uncut Mountain Press.
Grigoriou is noted for its missionary work in Africa. Their most famous evangelist is Blessed Father Cosmas. UMP has published a biography called Apostle to Zaire: The Life and Legacy of Fr. Cosmas of Grigoriou by Dimitri Aslanidis.
Following his presentation, Fr. Peter held a Q&A. One viewer asked him about the new restrictions on visitors to Mount Athos.
As UOJ previously reported, the Holy Mountain has passed a new ordinance. While Greeks and Cypriots will continue to enjoy unrestricted access, only 300 passports will be issued to visitors per month. Exceptions will also be made for Serbian, Bulgarian, and Russian and Ukrainian pilgrims who are visiting the Slavic monasteries: Hilandar, Zographou, and St. Panteleimon’s, respectively.
Fr. Peter said that the new restrictions should not make a noticeable difference for pilgrims. He estimates that no more than 600 non-Greek, non-Slavic visitors visit the Holy Mountain every month.
He urges would-be pilgrims to have patience and not to become discouraged. They will still be able to visit Mount Athos, he says. They may simply have to wait a bit longer.
Fr. Peter Heers told UOJ that he has gone on pilgrimage to Mount Athos more than 50 times and visits on average two or three times per year. He also lived there for three months as a pro-novice.
All in all, Fr. Peter estimates that he has spent 250 days on the Holy Mountain.
Heers has also led many pilgrims to Athos. On six occasions has led groups of between eight to ten men. This is not counting the many trips he has taken with friends and families. In total, he has guided about 100 people to the Holy Mountain.
“Athos is the Ark of Orthodoxy,” Fr. Peters told UOJ. “It’s the center of perennial regeneration the world over, over the last millennium. It is the bastion of orthodoxy and fount of holiness.”
