Athanasios the Athonite-creator and destroyer of monasticism

Athanasios the Athonite-creator and destroyer of monasticism

"In my beginning is my end. In succession Houses rise and fall, crumble, are extended, Are removed, destroyed, restored, or in their place Is an open field, or a factory, or a by-pass." T. S. Eliot "East Coker" The history of Mt Athos, Agion Oros! Yes, there is even a factory on the Holy Mountain! The worm for the current disintegration of Athonite monasticism was contained in the first stone that Athanasius laid down to build Megisti Lavra. The hermits around the area resisted the building of the first monastery and God punished Athanasios. The dome of the church collapsed over him and killed him. This is only miracle on Athos that I know of.