Contested Authenticity Anthropological Perspectives of Pilgrimage Tourism on Mount Athos

Pilgrimage tourism on Mount Athos is marked by a dynamic contestation of authenticity, where monks and visitors engage in reciprocal exchanges that redefine traditional monastic roles and practices. This study reveals how the demand for personalized spiritual experiences reshapes hospitality norms, transforming passive tourists into active pilgrims. Through an anthropological lens, it examines two rival monasteries to illustrate how claims to authenticity serve as both a tool for identity formation and an arena of competition among religious groups. The research highlights the evolving interplay between market-driven spirituality and traditional monastic values, emphasizing the importance of visitor commitment in pilgrimage experiences.

Paganopoulos, M. (2021). Contested Authenticity Anthropological Perspectives of Pilgrimage Tourism on Mount Athos. Religions, 12(4), 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12040229