From July 17 to 18, the Japanese Ambassador to Greece, Mr Koichi Ito, visited the Autonomous Monastic State of Mount Athos at the invitation of Mr Yiannis Paschalidis, the Member of Parliament for Kavala and a member of the Greece–Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group.
During his visit, the ambassador toured the Holy Church of the Protaton in Karyes, the administrative centre of Mount Athos. He then proceeded to the Holy Monastery of Iviron, where he met the Japanese monk Timothy, who briefed him on monastic life on Mount Athos and the Orthodox spiritual tradition.
Subsequently, the ambassador was hosted at the Holy Monastery of Philotheou, where he held a cordial meeting with the monastery’s abbot. During their discussion, they exchanged views on spirituality and tradition, further strengthening the mutual understanding and bonds of friendship between Japan and Mount Athos, which are founded on respect for their distinct cultural and spiritual traditions.
