Mount Athos [a] is "Holy Mountain" on the Athos peninsula in northeastern Greece on the Aegean Sea. It is an important center of Eastern Orthodox Christian monasticism.
Holy Mountain and most of the Athos peninsula are governed as an autonomous region in Greece by the monastic community of Mt. Athos, which is ecclesiastically under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
The remainder of the peninsula forms part of the Aristotelis municipality. By Greek law and by religious tradition, women are prohibited from entering the area governed by the monastic community [2].
Like Mt. Olympus, gods, angels may rest here.
Mt. Athos has been inhabited since ancient times and is known for its long Christian presence and historical monastic traditions, which date back to at least the 9th century during the Byzantine era.
Because of its long history of religious importance, the well-preserved architecture of its monasteries, and the preservation of the natural environment of the peninsula, the monastic community of Mt. Athos was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 [3].
NAMES: In the classical era, Mt. Athos was called Athos and the peninsula Acté (Latin) or Akté (Koine Greek Ἀκτή). In modern Greek, the mountain is Oros Athos (Greek Όρος Άθως) and the peninsula Hersonisos tou Atho (Χερσόνησος του Άθω), while the designation Agio Oros (Άγιο Όρος), translating as "Holy Mountain," is also used [4].
Some languages in the Eastern Orthodox tradition use names that translate as "Holy Mountain," including Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Serbian (Света Гора, Sveta Gora) [5] and Georgian (მთაწმინდა, mtats'minda) [6].
However, not all languages spoken in the Eastern Orthodox world use this name: In the East Slavic languages (Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian) it is simply called Афон (Afon, meaning "Athos"), while in Romanian it is called "Mount Athos" (Muntele Athos or Muntele Atos) [7]. More
Hindu Lord Vishnu (the Preserver), Narayana, Hari, the Supreme god of Vaishnavism. [This is a beautiful avatar so much so that the Buddha, the Christ, and the dark Lord Krishna (whose name means "black" Kānha, Sanskrit कान्हा, "The dark-complexioned beloved one" 108 Names of Shri Krishna) are said to be avatars and incarnations or emanations of this god. Of course, in the case of the historical Buddha, this can't be quite right. It is a beautiful sentiment, indeed, but the Buddha is not reborn here or elsewhere, is not a "god," and rises beyond the gods.
As for a historical Jesus, maybe, but surely most Christians (or perhaps they should more rightly be labelled Jesuits or Jesevites) would not like to think that their all-powerful, supreme controller, creator of the entire universe were an avatar of a neighboring faith, in spite of the fact that Jesus practiced Hinduism to some extent or was exposed to it in his 18 years of travel in Tibet and India (Nicolas Notovitch). However, the title avatar may well apply to Lord Krishna, the central object of veneration and faith in popular Hinduism today, sometimes rivaling Lord Shiva and the great Goddesses Lakshmi, Sarawati, Parvati, Kali, Ma Durga, and his consort Radha.]
Ishtadeva or Ishtadevata (Sanskrit इष्ट देव(ता), iṣṭa-deva(tā), literally the "cherished divinity" from iṣṭa, "personal, liked, preferred, cherished" and devatā, "deity, divinity, godhead, tutelary deity" or deva, "deity"), is a term used in Hinduism denoting a worshipper's favorite deity [1, 2] or favorite form of the deity if approached from a monotheistic or henotheistic point of view. More
[They sure have been treated as such by sexist and patriarchal monks trying to enhance and preserve their worldly power as abuse-prone clergyman. But these additional rules are NOT historical, as revealed by the scholarship of Ayya Tathālokā Bhikkhunī of California looking into the Theravada BhikkhuniVinaya, were not laid down or approved by the Buddha, and have been shown to be later additions. For instance, on one occasion, the Buddha's mother, the first Buddhist nun in history, comes to the Buddha seeking clarification on some matter or other, which would never have happened IF such additional rules had been laid down by him. The fact that she asks what she does, as documented in a vinaya backstory preserved among the ancient Buddhist texts, proves the Buddha didn't do it. And the fact that monks at later Buddhist councils added such sexist and oppressive stipulations is tantamount to crimes against humanity and the Sangha, maybe even a "defeat" (parajika) offense of a schism between monk and nun communities. Wisdom Quarterly stands firmly on the side of nuns, Natasha, and all future female-embodied persons (because we can all be reborn any gender whether we like it or not) seeking enlightenment and liberation. We have covered this topic many times in the past.]
(Modern Intuitionist) Some of the most powerful and influential groups in American and European society seem to have at least one thing in common: participation in the occult.
We find evidence of ritual and symbols in many places. But why? What is the occult? Why are such symbols so widespread and how can we investigate what they mean? These are some of the questions we'll explore in this video.
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Life in Russia: SHOCKING MYTHS about the country will leave viewers speechless
(Wild to Travel) Why would any American be shocked that Russia is a beautiful and modern non-communist country? It's because we've been lied to in the West for so long that there is no setting us straight. And we don't travel out of our country enough to know anything directly for ourselves. Go out into the world! Stop being duped by PR propaganda from both sides. That's why Wisdom Quarterly has special correspondents like Eli from Russia and AgentNesty:
(Kayse Melone) June 26, 2025: We had a great question asked on a chat on one of my recent livestreams. What does it mean to love yourself as an American when you no longer believe in what [North] America stands for? As someone who grew up in evangelical Christian nationalism in the heart of red-state America, I’ve had to unpack the myths I was raised on, face the guilt and shame of living in the belly of the beast, and begin the long process of internal deconstruction and healing. We talk about American exceptionalism, the spiritual cost of capitalism, and why letting go of nationalism might be the most patriotic thing we can do.
#exchristian #exvangelical #unitedstates #deconstructingchristianity #atheist. Remember to join the live show at 7:00 am CT every Sunday-Wednesday on YouTube or Twitch. Connect with Kayse. Website: kaysemelone.com
What? Middle Eastern North Africans? No, we were always white. We're from Heaven.
The Bible's been changed WAY more than most people realize!
(Holy Koolaid) Since the many books of the Bible were first written, just how much has the Bible been changed? After the New Testament was compiled, how much was it edited, tweaked, and altered to fit the agendas of scribes, copyists, and early Church fathers?
Are there other versions of the Bible? Did significant copying mistakes and translations errors (to say nothing of the purposeful changes and "corrections" to improve on God's word] find their way into our modern copies of the Bible?
If the Bible is the word of God and was divinely inspired, shouldn't it also have been divinely preserved? But has it been?
(Blakwoodz) April 17, 2025:Today, let's look at 🌟 The Holy Fire ("Holy Light") in Jerusalem – an annual Easter miracle at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Palestine. 🌟 Hey, Doubting Thomas, you can't walk on water (if you disbelieve).
Welcome to full coverage of The Holy Fire 2025, the annual miracle that takes place on Holy Saturday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
LA Marzulli talks about the "miracle" and how the local doubting Muslims, those who follow Islam, tried to debunk it and became converts.
This sacred event, known as the Holy Fire miracle, draws thousands of faithful from around the world each Easter to witness this awe-inspiring tradition.
🔥
The Holy Fire is one of the most ancient and spiritual Easter traditions celebrated in Jerusalem. Every year, during Orthodox Easter and Holy Saturday, the miracle of the Holy Fire takes place in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be the site of the resurrection.
In this video, witness the moment the Holy Fire (alleged to be the "spirit of Jesus" except for Jews who call it the Holy Spirit in Judaism) appears like a dove (Holy Spirit, Holy Breath, Pneuma, Prana, Holy Ghost), the powerful reactions of the crowd of believers, and the deep meaning imputed on this sacred tradition.
Join us as we explore the historical significance, religious symbolism, and modern-day celebration of this unique Easter event. We will also discuss more about all the biblical prophecy and The Third Temple of Solomon being built by Israel.
📍 Location: Jerusalem, Israel (Occupied Palestine) ⛪ Site: Church of the Holy Sepulchre
📆 Event: Holy Fire 2025, Orthodox Easter, Holy Saturday.
See the buildup to the Holy Fire ceremony, the exact moment the "Holy Fire" appears, Orthodox Christian pilgrims lighting candles and singing hymns, the atmosphere inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the way Easter (borrowed from the ancient pagans) is celebrated elsewhere.
[Let's explore the history, the miracle, and the cultural impact of this Holy Light – a "fire" that does not burn (like that Burning Bush Egyptian Jewish Moses, if he ever existed, saw in that psychedelic/entheogenic vision that one time), that connects millions of believers during Orthodox Easter in the heart of the Holy Land taken over by Ashkenazi Jews for their war on Palestinians, God and Bible based genocide on human beings, and the start of a new US-sponsored empire in the Middle East ruled by secular Jews from Europe and their proxies.]
Biblical prophecy, space aliens, UFO sightings, ghosts, creepy TikToks, and scary videos, The Woodz Show has got it all.
Blakwoodz, The Woodz Show, April 17, 2025; Christian Youth Channel, April 27, 2024; LA Marzulli; Sheldon S., Shauna Schwartz, Seth Auberon, Pfc. Sandoval (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
(Eli from Russia) PSKOV, Russia (former USSR) - Hi, I’m Eli! I travel in Russia, and my goal is to visit all its many regions. So far I’ve visited 47 of them, and the next one is the Pskov region. This region is one of the most ancient Russian lands. It’s a real treasure trove of historical and cultural knowledge, with an amazing legacy and unspoiled nature. At the same time, it’s considered to be one of the most depressing regions with a record of population decline across the entire country (as everyone rushes to modernize and live in the big city, preferably crowded Moscow). Let’s explore Pskov City and the village life for which this region is famous.
TIMECODES
00:00 Pskov region: the most cultural or the most depressing?
Epiphany (/əˈpɪfəni/ ə-PIF-ə-nee), also known as "Theophany" in Eastern Christian tradition [5], is a Christian feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi (the Three Wise Men), the baptism of Jesus (Issa, Yeshua), and the wedding at Cana [6].
The Buddhist connection is that Jesus the Nazarene was considered a tulku (important incarnation of a significant spiritual figure) by Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhists, who sent a party to confirm his rebirth and invite him to Tibet, where indeed Jesus later visited, stayed, and trained for 18 "lost" years to recognize and develop his spiritual gifts and embark on his mission as a prophet, teacher or, as Christians would have it, God incarnate (a Hindu Avatar). This sort of search party of mysterious "Magi" from the East is sent out whenever a Rinpoche, Panchen Lama, or Dalai Lama is expected in a certain region of the earth. See Unmistaken Child for general details.
In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus Christ's physical manifestation to the Gentiles [7, 8].
It is sometimes called Three Kings' Day, and in some traditions celebrated as Little Christmas [9] (like the longtime Christian Armenians, who may be Christians because Noah's Ark is rests around Mount Ararat).
Moreover, the feast of the Epiphany, in some denominations, also initiates the liturgical season of Epiphanytide [10, 11].
Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus (also called Epiphany) in the Jordan River [which is a kind of Holy Ganges in Northern Africa used for ablutions], seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God [6] [or devaputra, lit. "son born among the devas"]. The spot marked by Al-Maghtas in Jordan, adjacent to Qasr al-Yahud in the West Bank, is considered to be the site of the baptism of Jesus and the ministry of John the Baptist [12, 13].
I leave you VP Elon Musk and Pres. JD Vance
The traditional date for the feast is January 6th (which is also the day every four years the U.S. Congress officially confirms a new president, except that time Trump called for an insurrection to take over the government, hang the VP, and rule like a dictator, according to video evidence compiled by a biased media).
However, since 1970 the celebration has been held in some countries on the Sunday after January 1. Those Eastern Churches that are still following the Julian calendar observe the feast on what, according to the internationally used Gregorian calendar, is 19 January [14], because of the current 13-day difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars [15]. The Alawites and the Middle Eastern Christians also observe the feast on January 19 [2, 3, 4].
In many Western Churches, the eve of the feast is celebrated as Twelfth Night (Epiphany Eve) on January 5.[16][17] The Monday after Epiphany is known as Plough Monday [18]. Epiphany (holiday)
Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit
GUEST: Cambridge scholar of comparative religion Dr. Catherine Nixey is a classicist and journalist, author of The Darkening Age and her latest, Heretic: Jesus Christ and the Other Sons of God. She sits down with Mitch Jeserich, Letters & Politics, KPFA.org (Pacifica Free Speech Radio, Berkeley).
Heretic: Jesus Christ and the Other Sons of God: An Eye-Opening Account of Early Christian Divergence
Explore the Evolution of Jesus in Early Christianity: Author Catherine Nixey has 4.5 out of 5 stars with 4 ratings since Dec. 3, 2024. This is the #1 new release in historiography.
"A brilliant book." — The Times, Best of the Year.
"Heretictells a moreish intellectual story and shakes up your understanding of Western history. At the same time, somewhat improbably, it supplies at least one good joke per paragraph; you have to keep turning back to enjoy them again." ― The Economist, Best of the Year
From a celebrated Cambridge University classicist and author of The Darkening Age (“[a] ballista-bolt of a book”—New York Times Book Review), a biography of the many, diverse variations of Jesus who thrived in early Christian traditions — and how they were lost until just one “true” Christ survived.
Contrary to the teachings of the Church today, in the first several centuries of Christianity’s existence, there was no consensus as to who Jesus was or why he had mattered. Instead, there were many different Christs.
One [named Saint Issa] had a twin brother [named Saint James] and traveled to India [and ancient Hemis Gompa in Leh, Ladakh, Tibet]; another consorted with dragons [serpent Reptilians].
One particularly terrifying Christ scorned his parents and killed those who opposed him.
Moreover, in the early years of the first millennium there were many other saviors, many sons of gods [like the more popular Apollonius of Tyana] who healed the sick and cured the lame. But as Christianity spread, they were pronounced unacceptable – even heretical – and they faded from view.
The original meaning of "heresy" was positive and referred to thinking through and choosing a narrative from among those offered and argued for. The Church made "heretic" a horrible thing.
Comparative religion in the Christian church
Heresy: Jesus Christ and the Other Sons of God
An earlier hardcover of the book with a slightly different title came out on March 7, 2024, and has racked up 4.3 out of 5 stars with 200 ratings:
Heretic unearths the different versions of Christ [Kristos, one "anointed" with entheogenic drugs, according to American classicist Dr. Ammon Hillman] who existed in the minds of early Christians, and the process of evolution — and elimination — by which "Jesus" became the singular figure we know today.
“Heretic has the mother lode of tales too hot for Christendom. Nixey has carefully wrung out a number of apocryphal texts for scandal.” — Harper's Magazine
From a celebrated classicist [one who studies the classics] comes a group-biography of the many, diverse Jesuses who thrived in early Christian traditions — and how they were killed off until just one “true” [official single-Church narrative of] Christ survived [everything else being considered a blasphemous heresy even if it was true].
Contrary to the teachings of the Church today, in the first several centuries of Christianity’s existence, there was no consensus as to who Jesus was or why he had mattered [when he lived and was making trouble for the Temple].
Instead, there were many different Christs. One had a twin brother and traveled to India; another consorted with dragons; one scorned his parents and killed those who opposed him.
Why do we know so little about these early versions of Jesus? It is because, starting in the fourth century AD, the [Eastern] Orthodox form of Christianity that had become preeminent set about systematically wiping out every other variation, denouncing their gospels as apocryphal [of doubtful origin] and their followers as heretics [freethinkers who dare contradict the official story].
These unfortunate Christians lost their rights, their property, their churches [congregation sites] — in some cases, even their lives. [Burn them as witches!]
Heretic unearths the different versions of Christ who existed in the minds of early Christians and the process of evolution — and elimination — by which Jesus became the singular figure we know today.
Catherine Nixey, Host Mitch Jeserich, Letters & Politics,KPFA.org (KPFK.org, Los Angeles), Dec. 9, 2024; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Buddhism was officially incorporated into Siberia in the early 17th century [1, 2] and is considered one of Russia's traditional religions and a legal part of Russian historical heritage [3]. Besides the monastic Buddhist traditions of Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia (the only Buddhist-majority republic in Europe), Buddhism is spreading all over Russia, with many ethnic Russian converts [4, 5].*
(Eli from Russia) Jan. 7, 2024: ELISTA, Kalmykia - There is a Buddhist republic in the heart of Europe. On arriving, one can't believe what one is seeing: Buddhist stupas, temples, pagodas, Asian Buddhist gates and buildings. This Russian region has a truly distinct culture, traditions, and holidays. I will celebrate the Kalmyk Zul(Festival of Lamps) holiday with locals and add one year to my life along with all Kalmyks. Buddhism in Kalmykia
TIMECODES
00:00 I'm going to celebrate the New Year with Kalmyks!
01:17 Welcome to the capital: Elista City
02:46 What did I find on the Lenin Square?
04:26 My chance to make a wish under the Golden Gate
05:47 Here is a Kalmyk lunch!
09:30 Is this really Europe?!
11:25 Locals came to get blessings from Buddhist lamas
Buddhism also has adherents amounting to 6% in Zabaykalsky Krai, primarily ethnic Buryats, and 0.5% to 0.9% in Tomsk Oblast and Yakutia.
Buddhist communities are found in other federal subjects of Russia, between 0.1% and 0.5% in Sakhalin Oblast, Khabarovsk Krai, Amur Oblast, Irkutsk Oblast, Altay, Khakassia, Novosibirsk Oblast, Tomsk Oblast, Tyumen Oblast, Orenburg Oblast, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Murmansk Oblast, Moscow and Moscow Oblast, Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, and in Kaliningrad Oblast [24].
In large cities like Moscow, Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad, capital of the Czar's Empire which became the Soviet Union), and Samara, where up to 1% of the population identify as Buddhists [26].
Buddhism in Tuva
Buddhism in Kalmykia
Buddhism in Buryatia
Datsan and Khurul - Buddhist temples in Russia
Khambo Lama
Datsan Gunzechoinei
Tubden Shedubling - Buddhist temple complex in Moscow
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