Submitted by Hannah Kirby on the 2022 spring semester program in Athens, Greece…
This weekend, we visited the wonder that is Meteora. Meteora are the massive rock formations located in Kalabaka, Greece that has been home to hermits and monks alike who have devoted their lives to the Eastern Orthodox church. The monasteries that sit upon these rock formations are now tourist attractions after the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only and the hit TV show Game of Thrones showed the scenery in all of its glory.
While I am truly grateful for the experience to have visited such an extraordinary space, I am also saddened. The largest monastery of the six remaining is The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron. It is truly beautiful and can house a multitude of monks, however, only three choose to reside there for just four days out of the year. Due to the millions of tourists invading their sanctuary, they opt to leave the holy grounds of Meteora and live up North in a male only community. I understand that money makes the world go round, but must we trample on such a beautiful history in the process? Maybe I’m just naïve, but there must be a better way.
