On Saturday, June 21, in the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the parish of St. Righteous Xenia of Petersburg. To this day from the next Sunday, the commemoration of all the saints who shone forth on Mount Athos, is moved. Nowadays, this holy place, located on a small Greek peninsula, with its 20 monasteries and many sketes, is considered the spiritual center of Universal Orthodoxy. The monks strictly observe the ancient monastic rules, spending most of the day and night in prayer; women are not allowed to enter the peninsula, and men are admitted only with special permits. This is a unique monastic republic within Greece, where special laws are in effect. Over its thousand-year history, monasticism on the Holy Mountain has produced many saints. The lives and teachings of modern elders, St. Paisius the Athonite, St. Joseph the Hesychast, and St. Silouan the Athonite, are required reading for Orthodox Christians.
