Putin visits all-male Orthodox enclave

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Reuters

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Mr Putin’s first stop on Mount Athos was a service in Karyes, the community’s administrative centre

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting the monasteries at Mount Athos, in northern Greece, one of Orthodox Christianity’s holiest sites.

Mr Putin is to join celebrations at the monastery of St Panteleimon to mark 1,000 years of Russian monks at Mount Athos.

He is accompanied by Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Mount Athos is an enclave of 20 monasteries. Women have been banned for over 1,000 years.

Greece and Russia are both largely Orthodox Christian countries and have close religious ties.

Why are women banned from Mount Athos?

Media captionMount Athos and other sacred sites where women are banned

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AFP

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While women and female animals are banned, a limited number of male tourists are allowed to visit Mount Athos

The Russian leader travelled to the peninsula by boat, as there is no road access, and will hold talks with the Greek president later.

It is Mr Putin’s second visit to the monastery; he travelled there in 2005 as the first Russian leader to visit the site.

Despite his background as a KGB officer in Communist times, when the Soviet state frowned on religion, he has embraced his Orthodox faith and is believed to have a good relationship with Patriarch Kirill.

Pope and Russian patriarch edge towards warmer relations

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill walks with penguins

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AFP

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The St Panteleimon Monastery has benefited from Russian investment

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