Hollywood star Mel Gibson, aged 69, embarked on a spiritual quest at Mount Athos, where he will stay for several days at the Hilandar Monastery as part of his spiritual retreat, according to Proto Thema. During his stay, Gibson will spend time in prayer and silence alongside the monks, participating in daily services, and adhering to the monastic schedule.
Speculation surrounds the purpose of Gibson's visit to the Hilandar Monastery. It is believed to be connected to the continuation of his 2004 film "The Passion of the Christ," specifically a sequel titled "The Resurrection of Christ," which is reportedly set to begin filming this year, as reported by Proto Thema.
Upon his arrival, Gibson met with Archimandrite Methodius, the abbot of the monastery, in a friendly and warm atmosphere at one of the most important Serbian holy sites. The monks welcomed him modestly, respecting his wish to avoid publicity during his stay.
Although the details of Gibson's visit have not been officially announced, his presence at Mount Athos before Vidovdan has generated public interest.
"I have never felt such a strong connection to God anywhere else as here," Gibson reportedly told the monks, revealing the spiritual impact Mount Athos has on him, according to Newsbomb.
In recent years, Gibson spoke openly about the challenges he faced in Hollywood due to his faith. In a recent interview on the podcast "The Joe Rogan Experience," he discussed the difficulties faced by the Christian faith in the Hollywood industry, particularly regarding his experience directing "The Passion of the Christ" in 2004, as reported by Newsbomb.
Gibson revealed that he faced intense backlash and fierce criticism after directing "The Passion of the Christ," with many accusing him of isolating himself professionally due to his public expression of faith. He attributed the hostility towards Christianity in Hollywood to a "liberal and progressive establishment" that respects other religions but is critical of Christianity due to its associations with "whiteness," "patriarchy," and "colonialism."
"Christianity is the only religion that is allowed to be mocked in the film industry," Gibson stated, pointing out the unique challenges it faces compared to other faiths.
Despite these challenges, Gibson expressed pride in having created a film dedicated to the life of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that creating "The Passion of the Christ" was his main driving force. Since then, he sought spiritual guidance several times in Orthodox monastic communities.
The film "The Resurrection of Christ" is expected to be released sometime next year, heightening anticipation among his followers and the Christian community.
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.