The ‘Garden of the Virgin Mary’ meets the Twenty-First Century: the Challenge of Technology on Mount Athos

Mount Athos, a centuries-old monastic community, faces modern challenges, particularly from technology, which has been gradually integrated into its traditional way of life. This study reveals that while technological advancements like computers, cellphones, and solar power stations are being adopted, they provoke diverse attitudes among monks, reflecting broader tensions between Orthodox Christianity and modernity. The research examines this modernization process, highlighting how these changes challenge monastic principles of silence, meditation, and manual labor, while also offering practical solutions to contemporary needs.

Fajfer, Ł. (2012). The ‘Garden of the Virgin Mary’ meets the Twenty-First Century: the Challenge of Technology on Mount Athos. Religion, State and Society, 40(3-4), 349–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637494.2012.714659