My secret Easter pilgrimage to Mount
Athos, we left before first light by ships
Of sail to Port Klement, wave-traveling
As blessed Virgin when her boat storm-
Washed ashore, founding consecrated
Sacred gardens, visitation by women
Recently forbidden, 11th century A.D.
As mountain shepherdess, I tended my
Flock as Christ did his followers, and in
Dream-visions, Blessed Mother beckoned
Me to visit Holy Athos shores. My hair
Cut short, breasts bound tight, I donned
Makeshift monk’s robe, Neona became
Neonas, foot journey to sailing ships.
Once shipboard amongst religious men,
I was accepted as visiting monk, and with
Cross in hand, I quietly prayed, not for
Salvation but that my trespasses would go
Undiscovered, for as we approached the
Towering temples to God, I felt misgivings:
Mary’s watchful eye, trepidations of soul.
Accompanying fellow pilgrims, we took to
Mountain roads, prayerful hymns of praise,
Body and soul rising lofty heights. My legs
Accustomed to climbing twisting paths,
I helped older brothers on faithful ascent,
Resting to observe timeless beauty, monas-
Teries overlooking Greek cerulean seas.
With no official invitation, priests queried
Who I was. “Neonas, hermit shepherd monk,
Your grace, by dream-visions, Holy Mother
Beckoned me to Easter pilgrimage,” half-
Truths whispered facedown at their feet,
Fearing discovery, shepherdess trespassing
On Greek Orthodox Athonite mountain state.
When instructed to remove patchwork hood,
Priests recognized who I was, Neona, devout
Child of Christ. At nearby cedar grove, Blessed
Mary appeared bathed in light divine, to my
Mind she spoke in ethereal wind-song. “Tell
Them I am Immaculate Conception; they
Will understand these words.”
My vision acknowledged, priests permitted
Me to sleep one night in a hermit hut without
Punishment. My vision witnessed by all,
They consecrated the grove “Holy Cedars of
Immaculate Conception, haven for those
seeking Blessed Mother’s guidance and
Christ’s salvation.”
When I returned to my mountain home and
My waiting flock, I dedicated a rock outcrop-
Ping, holy spring font, adorned with a statue of
Blessed Mary and wildflowers, garden for those
Seeking her guidance and Christ’s salvation,
Holy Mother’s light shining, for all are welcome
To visit her highland garden-shrine.
For more on Mount Athos, Garden of Virgin Mary,
Mother of Jesus Christ, click here:
http://www.ouranoupoli.com/athos/athos.html