Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe were treated to a wonderful surprise this week as they exited the hemicycle: an exhibition of photographs and treasures from the Christian Orthodox Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece.
Among the exhibits was the Icon of Christ Panotcrator, which dates from the 13th century. Jesus Christ is depicted holding a scroll, signifying his role as teacher. It is thought, given the quality of the craftsmanship and gilding, that the icon was made in a major centre, likely Constantinople (modern Istanbul).
Alongside it was a stunning codex of Ptolemy's Geography (Manuscript Codex 655), which dates from around the turn of the 14th century. It is one of the rarest manuscripts in the collection of the library of the monastery.
The photograph exhibition - "Mount Athos: beyond the visible" by John Gianntos - depicts fascinating images of the life and natural beauty in and around Mount Athos, which the exhibition describes as a "spiritual refuge of European heritage".
The organisation of the exhibition was led by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly Theodoros Rousopoulos. In his speech to open the autumn session, he made reference to the lines on the maps in the Geography and how it "mapped the geographical borders … the lines that separate polities and shape their destinies".
He compared this to the European Convention on Human Rights, which "draws the human boundaries that must never be crossed: the inviolable line against torture and slavery, the line that guards liberty and security, the sacred space of thought, conscience and religion, the open horizon of expression and of peaceful assembly and association".
During the Parliamentary Assembly week, members have paused to admire these treasures - artifacts of faith, culture and history - and to be remined of our shared heritage and the enduring values that connect Europe's past with its present.
