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.
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.”
When John McKinney says, “Take a hike,” people do.
Willingly. With smiles on their faces.
The Trailmaster’s unique insights, gained from the natural world and the “real world,” teach, inspire and entertain. Along with suggesting we all “take a hike” (in the most positive and encouraging way of course!), John shares heartwarming and hilarious tales of his trails across California and around the world.
Organizations that ask John McKinney to share his trails and tales include:
Corporations, Nonprofits, Schools, Associations
Health and Wellness
Conservation, Parks, Outdoors
Hikers and Trails
Faith-based
About John McKinney
Author and hiking expert John McKinney, aka The Trailmaster, has written a thousand articles and more than 30 books about hiking including Hiking on the Edge: Dreams, Schemes and 1600 Miles on the California Coastal Trail and Hiking the Holy Mountain: Tales of Monks and Miracles on the Trails of Mount Athos, Greece.
John McKinney inspires audiences with his talks, including “Hiking the Holy Mountain” and “Take a Hike, Change Your Life”
For 17 years, John served as the Los Angeles Times Hiking Columnist. The intrepid Eagle Scout the only one to hike and write about all 278 California state parks, and to solo hike the entire California coast.
John has served on the board of the American Hiking Society, trained hike leaders for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Hike for Discovery” program, and been a longtime supporter of the California State Parks Foundation and Boy Scouts of America.
The Heart and Soul of Hiking
John McKinney has spent much of his career studying and gaining an understanding of the benefits of hiking—on and off the trail—as well as what motivates and inspires hikers and would-be hikers. John’s time on the trail, meeting park rangers and hikers from all over the world, as well as field research for his many books have combined to enable him to educate people on our crucial need to connect with nature.
Trailmaster John McKinney has been featured or interviewed in major publications and media from the Los Angeles Times to NPR, and appeared on numerous regional talk shows and news programs. Many people—hikers and not—credit John’s talks, articles, books, blogs and web site, TV and radio appearances with inspiring them to hit the trail to a better life, reconnecting with nature and making positive and lasting changes in their lives.
As John explains his mission, “I’ve hiked a lot of life trails—happy and sad, easy and challenging and, frankly, more than one path to nowhere. What I’ve learned I want to share. Take a hike, and change your life!”
John McKinney’s Talks
Hiking the Holy Mountain (Keynote, adjustable length) John was compelled by extraordinary events to live through—then write about—an odyssey that took him to a remote monastery on Mt. Athos, Greece. “Hiking the Holy Mountain” tells 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 glorious—and sometimes hilarious—story of faith and family.
Take a Hike, Change Your Life (Keynote, adjustable length) John reveals how time in nature can benefit us in body, mind and soul, as well strengthen us in our most important relationships. Participants enjoy John’s heartwarming—and laugh out loud—tales from the trail as John shares his unusual profession and life as a hiker. The Trailmaster has solutions and cures for the alarming rate of “Nature Deficit Disorder” that affects so many kids and adults. A key deliverable is John’s “Ten Essentials for Hikers,” inner qualities and directions that help us on the trail and off.
Book John McKinney Now For Your Next Event
Meeting and event planners love working with John because he’s professional, dependable, and always engages his audiences with the right mix of inspiration, information, humor and real-world insight. Contact us (Cheri@TheTrailmaster.com) or call 805-845-7102 for more information and John’s availability. Be sure to ask about special discounts on John’s books.
