The first hotel with a massage salon opened on Mount Athos
A hotel with massage opened in the former cell of St. Nicholas on Mount Athos. Photo: tilegrafimanews
In November 2024, the first hotel with a massage salon, an ultra-modern restaurant, and an AB Vasilopoulos supermarket opened in the capital of Mount Athos, Dafni, according to the tilegrafimanews.gr website.
The hotel was established in the former cell of Saint Nicholas (Samaradiko), which belongs to the Great Lavra Monastery – the first monastery built on the Holy Mountain. Construction of the new building began in 2020 and was completed in 2023, with the facility entering service a few weeks ago.
"The new hotel under the 'SAMARADIKO' brand, with a stay costing 40 euros per night, offers an affordable accommodation option for visitors to Athos. Additional services, such as massages, are not included in the price, though they are well-reviewed as providing full rejuvenation," the publication notes.
It is reported that this initiative sparked a wave of negative reaction, with some expressing concerns over the integration of modern commercial and tourist infrastructure in a place of deep tradition and religious significance. However, according to tilegrafimanews.gr, people often visit these new facilities, "proving that tourism and commercial development can be combined with respect for the traditions and unique nature of Mount Athos."
As reported by the UOJ, the most powerful earthquake in two months occurred on Mount Athos on Sunday.
Read also
TRC abducts rector of community in Sutkivtsi, Khmelnytskyi region
Archpriest Volodymyr Stefanyshyn has already been taken to a military training ground.
Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul
On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.