Abstract
Mount Athos represents a unique monastic community modelled after the great monastic centres of the Byzantine (Roman) Empire. Owing to the benevolence of Byzantine rulers a specific system of administration was established on Mount Athos, and the monks retained a high degree of self-administration. Although the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century took control of Mount Athos, its specific legal regime was not abolished. In the first centuries of Ottoman rule there were no significant attempts of introducing new or revising the old rules which regulated the organization of the administration on Mount Athos. It was only in the 18th century that the period of the more lively legislative activities began. During that period the Athonite administrative bodies, more or less similar to the current ones, were formed. This paper deals with the reasons that led to their creation and their evolution in the 18th century.
Highlights
Mount Athos represents a unique monastic community modelled after the great monastic centres of the Byzantine (Roman) Empire
During the period of Byzantine rule over the Holy Mountain, this particular monastic community was governed by two central administrative bodies: the protos and the synod[1]
The monastic community of Mount Athos found itself in a vicious circle: economic difficulties caused destabilization and disorganization of the central administrative authorities, and the newly formed authorities by excessive borrowing further worsened the financial situation of the monastic community, which led to the further destabilization and strengthening of centripetal forces at the expense of the authority of the central administrative bodies
Summary
During the period of Byzantine rule over the Holy Mountain, this particular monastic community was governed by two central administrative bodies: the protos and the synod[1]. Since new administrative bodies were not formed, the period of general instability and the absence of rules that would regulate the organization of the central government followed. This situation caused dissatisfaction among the monks, and the idea of drafting a new typicon which would resolve all disputable issues became more and more prevalent
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