Part 4/8:
Life for the monks on Mount Athos revolves around simplicity and routine. Daily activities include labor, prayer, and communal meals—each consumed in silence, emphasizing contemplation over conversation. They adhere strictly to a Spartan lifestyle, consuming only two brief meals each day and avoiding meat altogether.
Simon’s exposure to the monks reveals that their existence is not just one of isolation, but rather, a pursuit of deeper understanding and harmony with God. Father Yaakov, one of the few American monks, elaborates on this lifestyle and recounts his own journey—a profound commitment that began when he was just a child.