Hesychasm, in Eastern Christianity, is a type of monastic life in which practitioners seek divine quietness (Greek hēsychia) through contemplation in uninterrupted prayer. Such prayer, involving the entire human being—soul, mind, and body—is often referred to as "pure" or "noetic" prayer, and it is still practiced by Eastern Christians thanks to the 1783 publication of the Philokalia, a collection of Hesychast texts written by the Neptic Fathers. The Karoussos Center provides a 5-day exclusive stay of Hesyhasm with theory and practice to Philokalia. The sessions are held in relation to the Byzantine art that surrounds the place, and they are framed by dedicated cultural coaching.

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The programme includes:

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• 4 nights stay in Karoussos Center

• 3 daily monastic meals based on the Mount Athos monastery diet

• Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day

• Transportation during your stay

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• Daily divine liturgy at St. Spyridon Chapel

• Daily noetic prayer practice

• Philokalia discourse 

• A full packet of  the Karoussos Archive tour

• Cultural coaching

• Silence practice

• Nature hikes

• Seaside walking 

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What's not included in the package:

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• Travel Insurance

• Flights costs

• Visa fee (if applicable) 

• Additional activities not included in the itinerary

• Additional treatments

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Accommodation

The program includes a four-night stay at the Karoussos Center, a one-of-a-kind stay in a museum-like, historic setting filled with frescoes and Byzantine art. St. Spyridon Chapel, located next to the Karoussos Center, is an ideal place for prayer and contemplation, with one-of-a-kind virtual frescoes.

The Karoussos Center's Maniot house accommodates four people in one double and one twin room. The rooms are accompanied by two bathrooms.

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Meals

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The Hesyhastic retreat diet is based on the Mount Athos menu.

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A Mediterranean diet, rich in nutritional values, in addition to being, according to experts, a natural shield of protection against cardiovascular diseases, also has anti-aging properties and protects against osteoporosis and various types of cancer.

For monks, the basis of all virtues is fasting.
Fasting is the continuous moderation of food with prudence and discrimination to the minimum necessary quantity.
The law of fasting ostensibly concerns the body, but in reality, it concerns the soul and especially the mind.

Today, about two thousand monks live on Mount Athos. They usually die of natural causes in old age. Enforced fasting plays a very important role in the physical health of the monks. Fasting, as a rule from the Holy Fathers, is not a punishment. It's a lifesaver hint. Monks follow the rules of fasting with pleasure because they experience its benefits. Fasting clears the mind. It refines thought.

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Free Cancelation policy:

• 100% deposit refund for cancellation 15 days before the retreat start date.

• 50% deposit refund for cancellation 10 days before the retreat start date.

• 0% deposit refund for cancellation 9 days before the retreat start date.

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Travel/Transportation

Kalamata Airport is 16 klm from the Karoussos Center.

Kalamata Airport Taxis are available outside the terminal building.

To book a taxi at Kalamata Airport, please contact Kalamata Radio

Taxi at +30 2721 021112 

Service hours: 24/7.

One-way fare to the Karoussos Archives costs around € 40  

Please note that there’s always a fixed surcharge for extra luggage.

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https://www.kalamata-airport.airportfield.com/ 

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