The fantastic castle keeps watch over well-tended bitter orange trees and peaceful flowerbeds, which defy description. In the distance, the αρχονταρίκι (guest house). Usually the guest house of a monastery indicates its character. Here, apart from the usual decor, the walls have contemporary paintings, some of which depict the Monastery and others not, publications from the not-for-profit organizations Theofilos (which supports families with many children), and the Friends of the Imprisoned are on the table, and in the corner there is a small bookcase. Nothing about antichrists, or Macedonians, or other dangerous topics. That is well and good. The Athonite monk Moyses is my companion during this visit to Mt Athos, through his two small books: Vigil on Mt Athos and Midnight on Mt Athos. I take them out again and leaf through them mechanically.
