Two-Part TV Mini Series

Athos – The Last Monastic Republic – Part 1

A thunderstorm. What was once considered to be a bad omen, doesn’t impress the monks on Athos who since the early morning are in preparation for one of the biggest celebrations of the year.

The monastic republic is one of the last secrets of our time. On Athos the fallen Byzantine Empire lives on since 1453 – with all its monks, its art, its rites. This empire at the foot of the Holy Mountain is the last theocratic state. The peninsula is the spiritual heart of orthodoxy, a retreat in which the ancient is more important than innovation.

An orthodox monk in 21^st century lives as modest as his brothers a thousand years ago. They wear beards, grown since their entrance, and black robes as a symbol for their secular death, when they entered the monastery.

Monks don’t own anything except for their faith. Yet they guard worldly treasures of immeasurable value. The true treasures however can be found in the tradition of the monastic republic and their secrets which make the place unique.

For the first time ever a film team is permitted to peak into this unparalleled cosmos. The camera joins the monks for one year, the locked monastic republic opens up to the audience. Be it the great, magnificent festivals of the monasteries, their work or prayer in silence. Calm, carefully chosen images lead the audience into an unknown world to discover the last secrets of Europe.

Director Peter Bardehle und Andreas Martin (Co)

Camera Yannis Fotou

Sound Christos Papadopoulos

Status in Produktion

A Production of Vidicom Media GmbH, Hamburg

In Co-ProduCtion with Langbein und Partner Media GmbH & Co. KG, Wien

Broadcasted by ZDF/Arte, ORF

Funded by FFHSH, ÖFI, FFA, DFFF

Athos – Father Gregorios' Garden – Part 2

A rhythm of swinging tunes fills the darkness of the ancient walls. A monk is singing psalm after psalm, hour after hour. At six in the morning his work is done, the liturgy finished, the night defeated, a new day is being welcomed on Athos. That’s the way are done here for a thousand years.

The monastic republic near Thessaloniki in Greece is one of Europe’s last secrets. On Athos the fallen Byzantine Empire lives on since 1453 – with all its monks, its art, its rites. The peninsula is the spiritual heart of orthodoxy, a retreat in which the ancient is more important than innovation. An oasis of silence. Nearly 350 square kilometers of forest, rocks and almost no human being. Today about 3000 monks call the small republic their home, a life only with death and faith.

Hidden from the eyes of the public they keep following their rules, which emphasize hierarchy and their ranks.
For the first time ever a film team is permitted to peak into their lives on the distant monastic republic Athos.

We accompany Father Spyridon on his evening of life and Father Grigorios who desperately seeks to renovate his cell and thus guides pilgrims onto Mount Athos. Calm, carefully chosen images lead the audience into an unknown world to discover the last secrets of Europe.