While the ‘plot’ and colorful cast of Greek monks in “Hiking the Holy Mountain” seem like they came from a movie script, this is very much a true story!
Hiking the Holy Mountain: Tales of Monks and Miracles on the Trails of Mount Athos, Greece
“Hiking the Holy Mountain: Tales of Monks and Miracles on the Trails of Mount Athos, Greece” is the story of a hike like no other, encounters with a Greek monk/ iconographer named Father Daniel, amazing trips back in time and in faith to Mt. Athos, and miraculous events that occurred on—and off—the Holy Mountain. Mixed in are vivid tales from the lives of saints: St. Barbara imprisoned in a tower by her pagan father, dog-faced St. Christopher, the heroics of St. Constantine.
How do you tell a story like this in two minutes?
Well you don’t. But we figured that if a movie we really like that tells the story of a spiritual hike, “The Way,” could hook viewers in 2:32, we could too.
We wanted to make three points in the Hiking the Holy Mountain Book Trailer:
Want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans. A well-worn joke to be sure, but oh-so-true. My plan was to write a magazine story about this strange place to hike. Well, that was my plan…
On this amazing path we call life, we’re often compelled to change direction. I told the monks I was only hiking to Saint Anna’s to pick up the trail to the top of the mountain. How come they didn’t believe me and started asking me all these personal questions about my family?
On the trail between earth and heaven, anything is possible. We never hike alone.
Credits: Efharisto (that’s ‘thank you’ in Greek) to George Mamalakis, editor and music; Greg Pantages, narrator; Spiro Deligiannis and Zachary Deligiannis for photos and video clips.
After authoring thirty books about hiking, I was compelled by extraordinary events to live through—then write about—an odyssey that took me to a remote monastery on Mt. Athos, Greece. My new book, “Hiking the Holy Mountain: Tales of Monks and Miracles on the Trails of Mount Athos, Greece,” tells the story of two treks around Mt. Athos, encounters with a colorful cast of Greek monks, and a series of miraculous events that took place on—and off—the Holy Mountain.
“Hiking the Holy Mountain: Tales of Monks and Miracles on the Trails of Mount Athos, Greece” by John McKinney
By turns glorious and hilarious, reverent and irreverent, “Hiking the Holy Mountain” narrates my progress and setbacks on the trail and within myself. My friend Spiro Deligiannis joined me on the journey and we were truly the hiking odd couple. Spiro was a tenderfoot, and I was an expert hiker. Spiro was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian and fluent in Greek, whereas my faith was shaky and my Greek was terrible. Spiro believed in the wonder-working powers of the saints and icons, while I was a skeptic who doubted all miracles.
As the Los Angeles Times hiking columnist, I had a professional purpose for my trip: to hike around the Holy Mountain and write newspaper and magazine stories about Mt. Athos, where no woman has set foot for a thousand years. What I encountered there was an epiphany that changed my life and a miracle that led to the adoption of my son.
Twenty years after the first trip to the Holy Mountain, I made a second trip to Mount Athos with my son Daniel, who just graduated from high school. We traveled with Spiro Deligiannis (my trail buddy from the previous pilgrimage) and his godson Zachary Deligiannis.
“Hiking the Holy Mountain” was just released and I’m so pleased to be able to share this amazing true story with readers from across the country and around the world. Here are few photos from behind-the-scenes of “Hiking the Holy Mountain.”
Instant and Profound Connection: Father Daniel and DanielThe story of “Hiking the Holy Mountain” began in 1994 when author John McKinney first hiked around Mount Athos.Simons Petras is literally built on a rock, quite the impressive sight for the approaching hiker.Natural light and candle light illuminate the extraordinary churches on Mount Athos.I’ve walked and written about more than ten thousand miles of trail, and I can attest that hiking up the Holy Mountain is surely the most spirit-stirring hike I’ve ever taken.Atop Mt. Athos at last. Twenty years ago, Spiro and I hiked to the summit in a virtual white-out.On my first hike of the Holy Mountain in 1994 I met Father Daniel, who makes icons of wood, and who would forever change my life.Daniel appears heaven-sent in this photo. Indeed he was.I feel so blessed for the opportunity to hike the Holy Mountain with my son Daniel, 18, who just graduated from high school.This promontory by Panaghia Chapel offers hikers glorious views of the Mt Athos coastline.Atop the Holy Mountain (L-R top) Spiro Deligiannis and John McKinney; Zach Deligiannis and Daniel McKinney.Father Daniel graciously welcomed Daniel (L, holding the icon of the Prophet Daniel that Father Daniel made for him) along with John, Zachary and Spiro.
Hiking the Holy Mountain a Talk by John McKinney (Keynote, adjustable length)
“We can’t thank you enough for your exceptional presentation. You inspired many with your experiences on Mount Athos, and stories of the miracle you received.”—Judie Christopoulos, President, Philoptochos Society, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
“The presentation by John McKinney on “Hiking the Holy Mountain” made to the Brothers of our local Chapter of AHEPA and subsequently to the parishioners of our St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church was a beautiful and moving experience for all attendees. His book and talk wonderfully transforms doubt into faith.—Ernest Kolendrianos, MD, AHEPA Chapter 243
“Hiking the Holy Mountain” is John’s most popular talk. While the ‘plot’ and colorful cast of Greek monks in “Hiking the Holy Mountain” seem like they came from a movie script, this is very much a true story! Audiences love this tale of ancient traditions, modern-day faith and family.
“I was a reluctant pilgrim to say the least,” John admits. “But one thing I’ve learned from all my time on the trail is that on this amazing path we call life, we’re often compelled to change direction.”
“Hiking the Holy Mountain” is John’s most popular talk. Audiences love this inspiring tale of ancient traditions, modern-day faith and family.
John was compelled by extraordinary events to live through—then tell the story about—an odyssey that took him to a remote monastery on Mt. Athos, Greece. “Hiking the Holy Mountain” is the story of two treks around a monastic kingdom where no woman has set foot for a thousand years, encounters with a colorful cast of Greek monks, and a series of miraculous events that took place on—and off—the Holy Mountain. This spiritual adventure is one of the all-time best tales of adoption, a splendid hiking narrative, and a story of faith and family that will be long remembered.
By turns glorious and hilarious, reverent and irreverent, “Hiking the Holy Mountain” narrates John’s progress and setbacks on the trail and within himself. His friend Spiro joined him on the journey and they were truly the hiking odd couple. Spiro was a tenderfoot, and John was an expert hiker. Spiro was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian and fluent in Greek, whereas John’s faith was shaky and his Greek was terrible. Spiro believed in the wonder-working powers of the saints and icons, while John was a skeptic who doubted all miracles.
As the Los Angeles Times hiking columnist, John had a professional purpose for his first trip: to hike around the Holy Mountain and write newspaper and magazine stories about the trails and natural beauty of Mt. Athos. What he encountered there was an epiphany that changed his life and a miracle that led to the adoption of his son.
The drama builds with a return hike of the Holy Mountain eighteen years later, to introduce his son to the Holy Mountain, to the monk who foretold his arrival into the family, and to the saint who the monks believe granted John and his family the miracle that blessed their lives.
Contact John McKinney
Contact us by email (Cheri@TheTrailmaster.com) about John McKinney’s Hiking the Holy Mountain Talk or give us a call at 805-845-7102 to book John for your next event. Be sure to ask about copies of John McKinney’s new book: “Hiking the Holy Mountain: Tales of Monks and Miracles on the Trails of Mount Athos, Greece.”
After his presentations, like this one at the St. Sophia Philoptochos, there’s time to talk one on one, and get autographed copies of John’s new book, “Hiking the Holy Mountain.”
