Ivan Djeparoski - THE VILLAGES OF MOUNT ATHOS

“The monasteries of Mount Athos
are villages of the Holy Mother of God”
Domentian of Chilandar

The bigger
the cities
we come from
to Mount Athos
the greater
our loneliness.

And here the monasteries
wait for us –
the serene villages
of the Mother of God,
the flowery meadows
with blossoming trees.

The fragrant alleys
of monks
who piously,
in peaceful prayer,
sing like
heavenly birds.

The bigger
the cities
we come from
to Mount Athos
the greater the joy
to meet the heavenly citizens.

Translated by Zoran Anchevski