The Monk Photographer on Mt. Athos

15 years ago, the caretakers of the Vatopedi Monastery bought several digital cameras for the needs of the community. This is how the monk Theologos fell into the hands of his first camera. Since then, he has been photographing the life of Athonite ascetics, inspired classics of photojournalism Bresson and Nachtwey and daily updates the gallery on his website:
- Many years ago God led me to Mount Athos to save my soul, and on the path of my salvation, perhaps to document the monastic life to show it to those who live outside the Holy Mountain.
My photographic career began 15 years ago when our management decided to digitize some important artifacts from the monastery. Then we bought several digital SLR cameras. Since I was a computer head, the older monks told me to figure out the technology. My first camera was a Canon 350D.
I didn't have any knowledge. I just started shooting and reading everything I could find about photography. It also helped me a lot that I looked at the work of other photographers. I would mention James Nachtwey and Henri Cartier-Bresson as the photographers who influenced me the most.
Of course, I take up photography with the blessing of the abbot. Since I am a monk, I do not have any personal money - all my photographic equipment was purchased from donations.
They support me, but there are still some difficulties. Our goal is to become close to God and achieve personal perfection. Therefore, we must avoid any mundane things that can distract us from this goal.
This is why I shouldn't give photography more importance than it needs (in fact, this applies to everything). I have to be prepared to miss a good shot so as not to disturb the peace of those around me, especially when they are praying. And if I do cross this line, those around me should understand that I did it without meaning to and did not try to use others for my own interests.
About a worldly hobby
My only source of income as a photographer is my website: https://asceticexperience.com/. Donations keep my photography business and the site afloat. It's not really photographic, but rather healing. Every day we publish one picture or photo story with a small spiritual text. So in two or three minutes, readers receive a spiritual gift and replenish their vitality. Our site is visited by people from 127 countries, this is an outstanding indicator for an Orthodox monastic resource.
I have photo series that develop naturally as I document monastic events, services, obedience, daily spiritual life, nature and architecture. There are big holidays or, for example, harvesting that I need to cover. The nature of these events is unique to the eyes of outsiders - we are, after all, on Mount Athos.
About monastic specifics
One of the consequences of Adam's fall is our selfishness, our tendency to neglect others. By photographing other people, I discovered a whole world of beauty. Personality is an endless mystery that allows us to constantly improve. Those locked in their own uniqueness are doomed to monotony and hatred. Being a monk helps me a lot - I have the spiritual knowledge to deal with this reality.
We all must remain human. A professional is not someone who has expensive equipment. This is someone who is able to sacrifice himself. We shouldn't chase money and fame so much, even if we need them to a certain extent. During the time that is allotted to us, we need to learn to love. You can't waste it.
I understand perfectly well the great interest in my person, and I treat this with love. However, a monk should not promote himself - only God. Holy Mount Athos