| Athonite Academy Αθωνιάς Εκκλησιαστική Ακαδημία | |
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 Athonite Academy | |
| Location | |
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| Coordinates | 40°15′41″N24°14′41″E / 40.2615°N 24.2448°E /40.2615; 24.2448 |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy (1749–1821) Secondary male school andSeminary (present) |
| Established | 1749 |
| Founder | Ecumenical Patriarch Cyril V |
| Closed | 1820 and re-established at 1845 |
| Headmaster | Ierotheos Zacharis |
| Website | http://www.athoniada.gr/ |
TheAthonite orAthonias Academy (Greek:Αθωνιάς Εκκλησιαστική Ακαδημία) is aGreek Orthodox educational institution founded at 1749 inMount Athos, then in theOttoman Empire and now inGreece. The school offered high level education, where ancient philosophy and modern physical science were taught.[1] With the establishment of the Athonite Academy the localmonastic community took a leading role in themodern Greek Enlightenment during the 18th century.[2] It aroused the hostility of more conservative circles and was shut down in 1821, but reopened in 1842. The Academy's function was also suspended in 1916–1930 and 1940–1953 due to theWorld Wars.
The Athonias was founded in 1749 as a dependency ofVatopedi monastery[3] with the initiative and the financial support of theEcumenical Patriarch of ConstantinopleCyril V.[4] The first building of the Athonias was erected on the top of a hill northeast of Vadopedi,[5] where its imposing ruins still exist today.[3] First director became the theologianNeophytos Kafsokalyvitis.[6]
In 1753, theEcumenical Patriarchate entrustedEugenios Voulgaris with the renewal of ecclesiastical education because it considered that he possessed the best available talents and offered him the post of the Academy's director.[5] The time when Voulgaris became director of the Athonias (1753–1759), themodern Greek Enlightenment movement was exerting a productive influence throughout the entire monastic community of Mount Athos.[7] The teaching methods of Voulgaris for the revival and upgrading of learning within the Orthodox Church envisaged a substantial training in classic studies combined with an exposure to modern European philosophy, including works ofRené Descartes,Gottfried Leibniz,Christian Wolff andJohn Locke. This curriculum could only be taught in a monastic environment for as long as Voulgaris enjoyed the full and unswerving support of the highest powers inside the church.[5]
When Cyril V fell from the patriarchal throne conservative circles of Mount Athos were encouraged to come out openly against the progressive educational methods of Voulgaris. The latter, feeling abandoned, resigned in 1758/9 and was replaced byNikolaos Zerzoulis, who was known as one of the first proponents ofNewtonian science in Greek education.[5] However, by the end of the 18th century the rate of literacy in Mount Athos had declined and the traditional local circles became hostile towards the progressive teaching in the Athonias.[8]
The Athonias was closed in 1821 when theGreek War of Independence broke out and reopened in 1845 inKaryes, the administrative center of Mount Athos.[9] It was financially supported by the monasteries and the monks of the region. The Academy's function was also suspended in 1916–1930 and 1940–1953 due toWorld War I andWorld War II.[9]
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