Avaton phenomenon of Orthodox Monastic Republic Athos and gender segregation in religion

In recent decades in the world there have beensignificant changes in public attitude to the restrictions and prohibitions of a religious nature. On the one hand, we see some changes inthe strict taboos of the world's major religions. On the other hand, the promotion and advancement of religious movements and socialmovements do not restrict individuals in the manifestations of their rights and freedoms. Often these societies themselves initiatestruggle against the prevailing traditional values. An example is the active role of feminist organizations in Europe on the abolition ofcenturies-old avaton monastic republic Athos. This religious phenomenon is expressed in a strict ban on the entry and residence in themonastery of the opposite sex. The monastic republic of Mount Athos located in Northern Greece and actually existing within theEuropean Union is the subject of permanent conflict of various organizations defending the rights of women and minorities, who opposethe constitutional principles of the Joint European millennial socio-religious phenomenon. Avaton ancient Orthodox country for asecularized European society is primarily an anachronism and an invalid element of sex discrimination. This paper attempts to examinethe phenomenon of avaton in the context of separation of the sexes in the religious reality. Christianity originally proclaimed a newreality in Christ via Apostle Paul, with no room for any kind of segregation and inequality. But along with such a revolutionary religiousposition Christianity also supports the tendency to gender segregation. Orthodox monasticism at its core refers to the life of Christ, whois free of family and kinship loyalties, who travels, lives in voluntary poverty, fasts and spends nights in prayer. Monasticism is thedesire to maximize the closeness to this ideal. Monastic asceticism means nothing more than self-denial, and it is often rooted innegative attitudes to the outside world. In Christianity, the ascetic look at the world as a source of temptation and sin, and try to avoidcontacts harmful for the spirit and concentrate their efforts on saving themselves alone. The most inappropriate contact for an ascetic,which can result in serious religious controversy, and which is directly associated with the concept of seduction, is the contact with theopposite sex. Hence the need for gender segregation, as necessary for the very existence of the institution of monasticism. Monogendercharacter of monastic society, as one of the basic principles of the system is directly related to the implementation of gender segregation.Avaton of Mount Athos, in our opinion, is one of the most characteristic examples of sustainable building of physical boundaries ofgender separation. After analyzing the problem of gender segregation in religion by example of the avaton phenomenon of the OrthodoxMonastic Republic of Athos, we came to a conclusion that it is unacceptable to consider it as an extremely negative socio-culturalphenomenon, it is important to consider the criteria that make up this division. Segregation as a necessary condition for the preservationof unique social structures must be justified ethically, culturally and legally.

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