The 20 Monasteries of Mount Athos

Mount Athos is home to exactly 20 monasteries — no more, no less. This number is enshrined in the Constitutional Charter of Mount Athos and cannot be increased or decreased. Each monastery holds a position in the hierarchy that was determined centuries ago.

Of the 20 monasteries, 17 are Greek, one is Russian (Agiou Panteleimonos), one is Serbian (Chilandariou), and one is Bulgarian (Zografou). Together they form the Holy Community, the central governing body of the Athonite State, headquartered in Karyes.

Other Monastic Institutions

Besides the 20 sovereign monasteries, Mount Athos is home to many other monastic institutions that are dependent on the monasteries:

• Sketes: Smaller monastic communities dependent on a monastery. There are 12 sketes, some with a communal organization and their own church.
• Kellia (Cells): Individual buildings with a chapel where small groups of monks live (usually 2-6). They belong to a monastery and are granted for the lifetime of the monks.
• Kalyves (Huts): Simpler monk dwellings, often without a chapel. They are grouped together to form sketes.
• Hesychasteria (Hermitages): Isolated retreats for monks devoted exclusively to prayer and silence. They are found in remote locations, sometimes even in caves.