New foundation organizes fund drive to support Mount Athos in Greece

The monastic community of Mount Athos, revered as the Garden of the Virgin Mary, has long been recognized as the heart of Eastern Orthodox spirituality. This pan-Orthodox sanctuary has been inhabited by monks since the 4th century. For more than a thousand years, it has been a place of refuge from an unstable, tumultuous, and materialistic world. Today more than ever its Byzantine-era monasteries, its ancient footpaths through stately old forests, and the elders who carry on the ancient tradition of offering counsel, insight, and blessing to all comers, are a critically important spiritual resource. In the present world, Mount Athos remains a sacred space where time slows down, paced by bells, church services, and times of prayer. Now a recognized as a World Heritage Site, The Holy Mountain draws pilgrims, Orthodox, and others, from all over the world, seeking spiritual regeneration and rediscovery of lost communion with the divine.
Even this refuge is not immune from the problems of our world, however. The Athonite fathers of today are confronting worsening threats of forest fire and violent storms, the Greek fiscal crisis, and the current pandemic, all while bearing their responsibility for preservation of an Orthodox heritage of iconographic art, manuscripts, and monastic buildings. The Athonite Community depends upon the faithful and upon world governments in their efforts to protect and preserve this sanctuary.
In 1990, the Friends of Mount Athos (FoMA) was organized in the United Kingdom to support the well-being of the Athonite monasteries. It quickly began welcoming American members. The Society is known worldwide today, both for its services in support of the Holy Mountain and its programs supporting pilgrimage – its yearly expeditions to maintain the ancient footpaths, its superb maps for guiding pilgrims on those paths, and its Pilgrims’ Guide for planning pilgrimages.
Returning from a pilgrimage in 2014, a Greek American sought to make a donation as a way to give something back in appreciation and thanks for the spiritual renewal he had experienced there. The process was neither easy, nor tax-deductible. Returning two years later, he was approached by the monk in charge of administration for one of the monasteries. Their discussion turned to the looming financial challenges facing the monasteries as a result of the economic crisis in Greece.
This conversation inspired him to meet with FoMA’s American Membership Secretary, where he learned that an effort was under way to establish a 501(c)(3) foundation. That meeting turned out to be the final catalyst needed to launch an American initiative – The Mount Athos Foundation of America. MAFA was incorporated in 2016 and received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS in 2018.
MAFA’s mission is to promote an understanding of, and provide benefit to, the monastic community of Mount Athos on several fronts: Heritage - restoration and preservation of historic monuments and artifacts; Understanding - fostering knowledge and appreciation for the monastic communities, and; Operations - aiding the 20 monasteries and their dependencies in times of need to sustain monastic life.
To carry out its mission, MAFA works cooperatively with the Athonite Community and The Mount Athos Center in Thessaloniki, Greece, as well as with organizations and foundations in the United States and abroad that share similar interests. MAFA is now actively soliciting tax-deductible donations.
MAFA’s executive committee have an ambitious plan: to build an endowment that would enable MAFA to be a steady and reliable support for the Holy Mountain in times of need, like the recent economic crisis in Greece, times when normal sources of funding are depleted or unavailable. But in the course of the Foundation’s first two years, before they could even begin the task of endowment-building, one critical need arose after another. The fledgling foundation found itself raising funds to respond to these critical needs.
In just two years, MAFA has been able to provide financial support toward:
- a FoMA project to restore the historic Axion Estin cell, which had been falling into ruin,
- emergency repairs at the Grigoriou Monastery following a fire that destroyed the Monastery’s electromechanical facility last summer,
- a feasibility study for an ecologically sound footpaths restoration project at Simonopetra Monastery, in the course of which a damaging recent storm demonstrated the effects of climate change and the need for the careful planning that the study would provide,
- MAFA travel grants to support Athos-related theological and historical research by several young scholars and theologians, and
- critically needed equipment and medical supplies for the recently completed Mount Athos Health Center for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 among monks and pilgrims.
In September, MAFA will be launching its first annual fund drive, culminating in MAFA’s Patronal festival on November 21st, the celebration of the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple.
This Feast Day commemorates how Mary committed herself totally to God as a young child as she was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem to remain there to be prepared for her role as the Bearer of God (Theotokos) – foreshadowing how a monk/nun leaves the world to commit himself/herself to monastic life.
MAFA plans to use these funds both to meet immediate needs in the year ahead and to start building the endowment that will provide for reliable, sustained support for the Holy Mountain in the future. MAFA encourages all who share an appreciation for the Holy Mountain to get involved by joining the Friends of Mount Athos (athosfriends.org/joining-foma/) and by learning more about the Mount Athos Foundation of America and its mission. Additional information can be found on www.mountathosfoundation.org.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Gabriel
- 1) Catholic Church in Greece announces new archbishop for seat of Tinos island
- 2) Greek university rectors offer security-for-funding deal to government
- 3) Reinforcing bridges between Greek universities and diaspora on January 24
- 4) Olympic Museum set to open in the Greek capital of Athens during 2021
26/01 01:58
Thessaloniki’s Aristotelous Square makeover discussed at municipal meeting
26/01 01:50
Greek MP: Deportations to begin with Pakistan and Bangladesh deemed “safe countries”
26/01 01:30
Major drop in 2020 tax revenues recorded in Greece due to the pandemic
26/01 01:23
American Airlines will fly from Athens to New York as of June 3, 2021
26/01 00:52
Stavros Niarchos Foundation marks a quarter of a century of philanthropy (video)
25/01 23:54
Decline in sales turnover recorded in Greece despite long queues
25/01 23:36
Catholic Church in Greece announces new archbishop for seat of Tinos island
25/01 22:46
European Investment Bank signs €200-million financing deal with Greece
25/01 22:05
Greek FM talks EU-Turkey relations and pandemic with EU officials in Brussels
25/01 19:18
No side effects from elderly citizen vaccinations reported in Greece
25/01 18:18
Exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey conclude with next round in Athens
24/01 21:28
Lockdown extension to February 1 published in Greek Government Gazette
24/01 21:25
Greek PM: We want to create a ‘fast travel lane’ across the EU
24/01 21:19
Up to two passengers and the driver allowed in taxis cars in Greece as of Monday
24/01 21:15
24/01 21:05
Greek university rectors offer security-for-funding deal to government
24/01 20:24
24/01 18:53
Greece records 334 new Covid-19 infections and 24 fatalities on Sunday
24/01 15:10
Colchicine drug utilized in the fight against coronavirus in Greece
24/01 14:01
Supermarkets and retail stores allowed to stay open in Greece on Sunday, January 24
24/01 12:57
Cyprus bids to attract investment and promote the film industry
23/01 22:05
EU Court allows Bulgaria to make knock-off Cypriot halloumi cheese
23/01 21:58
New Secretary of State will strive to enhnace US-Greek security ties
23/01 21:55
Halki Summit IV dedicated to COVID-19 and Climate Change between January 26–28
23/01 21:50
Greek high schools students will return to their classrooms on February 1
23/01 21:27
The Crusader castle of Chlemoutsi in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece
23/01 19:09
Greece records 605 new Covid-19 cases and 24 fatalities on Saturday
23/01 18:37
Greek regions of Attica and North Aegean removed from Germany’s high-risk areas travel list
23/01 18:22
Three consecutive weather fronts forecast to affect Greece until Wednesday
23/01 00:41
Greek government: No levies on UK imports and only relevant VAT
22/01 16:19
Greek retail sales record turnover drop by 5.6% during Q3 2020
22/01 16:08
Economics Olympiad held by Secretariat General of Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad
22/01 16:02
Greek FM discusses bilateral issues with German Ambassador to Athens
22/01 15:49
Archbishop of America offers prayer at Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service (video)
22/01 15:42
7-day quarantine for foreign passengers and restriction of flights until February 8 in Greece
22/01 15:37
AHEPA congratulates Biden-Harris Administration on their inauguration
22/01 15:36
Meeting at Greece's health ministry on the issue of coronavirus mutations
22/01 15:25
The Hellenic Initiative Australia awards $50,000 ‘Winter Appeal for Greece’ grants
22/01 15:10
Finance Ministry: Greece has to exploit all of its comparative advantages to advance
22/01 13:14
Holocaust Remembrance Day of the Greek Jews features The Good Shepherds
22/01 11:20
Greek PM underlines need to speed up EU's vaccines approval process
22/01 01:26
Microsoft investment will transform Lavrio port through extended housing reconstructions
22/01 01:15
US-Greek relations set to improve even more under Biden administration
22/01 01:11
Turkish occupied side of Cyprus imposes COVID-19 night curfew as well
22/01 01:05
Athens Municipality to support entrepreneurs in culture sector with up to € 7.7 million
22/01 00:55
22/01 00:46
Daily Covid-19 cases ease again, albeit marginally in Greece on Thursday
22/01 00:38
22/01 00:28
The opening of all schools among top priorities of the Greek government
22/01 00:18
New US President to sign Covid-19 measures requiring mask use to travel
22/01 00:02
Reinforcing bridges between Greek universities and diaspora on January 24
22/01 00:01
Greek police to procure specialized vehicles against the Covid-19 pandemic
21/01 22:21
Olympic Museum set to open in the Greek capital of Athens during 2021
21/01 22:02
Survey: Greece among world bucket list destinations for global travel writers in 2021
21/01 21:54
Greece still the only EU country with 'green' zones on ECDC Covid-19 map
21/01 21:44
UNWTO Global Tourism Crisis Commitee meets again to explore safe travel in age of vaccines
21/01 21:43
Smithsonian: DNA analysis sheds light on the mysterious origins of the Ancient Greeks
21/01 20:20
Vaccination appointments for citizens aged 80-84 available in Greece at 18:00 on Friday
21/01 20:16
Bank of Greece records increase in NPLs stock by 8-10 billion euros
21/01 19:38
Greek PM at EU Summit: Digital vaccination certificate 'is about opening up freedom of movement'
21/01 19:08
Minister: Journalists covering protest rallies to have 'designated positions' in Greece
21/01 13:28
Google and Koala study: Americans look to Greece for post-pandemic vacations in 2021
21/01 04:06
Ice sculpture replica of Odeon of Herodes Atticus presented at China’s Harbin Ice Festival
21/01 03:48
Fewer customers allowed in Greek supermarkets since store re-opening on Monday
21/01 01:45
21/01 01:33
Greek PM tweets congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
21/01 01:14
Greece proposes three measures to restart global tourism industry
20/01 22:53
Night curfew in Greece remains in force despite easing COVID-19 lockdown
20/01 22:19
Greek President: Cooperation with US even stronger during Joe Biden's tenure
20/01 21:52
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operates inaugural flight to Greek capital of Athens (video)
20/01 21:09
Greek Parliament approves extending territorial waters to 12 miles in Ionian Sea
20/01 20:38
Grand Club in the northern Greek city of Kavala reopens after extensive renovations
20/01 19:32
Registered unemployment in Greece records an increase of 2.42% during December
20/01 18:12
Emergency number 112 upgraded with e-Call vehicle services in Greece
20/01 16:22
Travel receipts in Greece at €4.24 billion during first 11 months of 2020
20/01 12:43
Two stolen 18th-century religious icons to return to Greece from Beirut
20/01 12:37
Greek island of Crete most popular summer holiday destination for British travelers in 2021
20/01 04:20
AP: EU Commission urges member states to speed up vaccination
20/01 04:15
Emirates among first airlines globally to trial IATA travel pass
20/01 04:08
Archbishop of America to take part in virtual Presidential Inaugural prayer service
20/01 04:02
20/01 04:00
Finance Minister: Greek state raised two billion euros in liquidity
20/01 03:49
Etihad Airways one of the first carriers globally to launch IATA Travel Pass
20/01 03:38
Cyprus Deputy Tourism Minister briefs Parliament on 2021 action plan
20/01 03:12
IATA urges support for Greek PM's initiative for digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate
19/01 23:03
Citizens' observance of inoculation appointments surpasses 95% in Greece
19/01 22:56
FinMin: Bond buyback and reopening plan positively affects state coffers and banks
19/01 21:44
Greece-Bulgaria deal on IGB gas pipeline project tabled in parliament
19/01 19:14
Roman shipwreck filled with ancient treasures discovered off Greek island of Kassos
19/01 18:34
Greece records 566 new Covid-19 cases and 30 fatalities on Tuesday
19/01 18:07
Attica tram drivers to hold four-hour strike on Wednesday morning
19/01 04:31
9,000 Turkish citizens sought political asylum in Greece during the last four years
19/01 04:11
Turkish occupied northern side of Cyprus imposes COVID-19 night curfew too
19/01 01:46
Archbishop of Americas shares message of hope on Martin Luther King Day (video)
19/01 01:43
SNF Dialogues Webcast: What has the COVID-19 pandemic taught us?
19/01 01:30
Greece offers tax breaks to lure the international work-from-anywhere crowd
19/01 01:24
Greece's first public library reopens its Reading Room on Zakynthos island
19/01 01:11
Labor Ministry examining Covid-19 as occupational hazard in Greece
19/01 00:56
Covid-19 daily deaths drop below 20 in Greece as new infections and intubations vary
19/01 00:39
Cypriot residents' trips abroad fall by 87.6% during December due to Covid-19
Greek MP: Deportations to begin with Pakistan and Bangladesh deemed “safe countries”
Greek Minister and Russian Ambassador discuss investments in tourism
AP report: Trump promotes his own resort Doral for next G7 (video)
IATA: Competitiveness of Swiss aviation crucial for jobs and prosperity
Greek coast guard intervened in 208 incidents with 5,608 foreign nationals in July
Catholic Church in Greece announces new archbishop for seat of Tinos island
Health Tourism: Greek state hospitals' expenditures up in 2018
Guinness World Record holder from Greece launches new lodging app
Municipality of Athens records surplus for eight years in a row
Inscription found in Paleochoria links goddess Artemis to Amarynthos sanctuary
Mysterious skeletons found near Indian lake believed to belong to Greeks
AP report: Pilots Union announces dates for British Airways strikes
Visit spectacular Calypso canyon in Thessaly Region of Greece
Prime Minister: Greece Eurozone's 'pleasant surprise' in coming years
Professor Ioannis Lianos nominated for Competition Committee chief in Greece
Greek Public Power Corporation's rescue package of €500 million announced
Traditional songs and dances at Greek night in Athens Square Park in Astoria (video)
Archbishop's enthronement proceeds donated to St. Nicholas Church
Buenos Aires joins World Tourism Organization network of Tourism Observatories
Νew international exchange opportunity for Greek students by SNF
New tender by central government for Athens and Thessaloniki bus systems