A Womanly Welcome

Regarding John McKinney’s article “Shoreline to Monastery” (March 30) on Greece’s Mt. Athos monasteries and the 1,000-year-old tradition that only male pilgrims are allowed to visit, I would like to point out that I visited Volos, at Mt. Pelion, Greece, on a cruise a few years ago. There were many mountainside churches and monasteries, which were erected beginning in the 14th century.

We climbed halfway by bus, then 187 cobblestone steps to reach the top. It was an interesting venture, and they welcomed women!

SIMONNE REYNOLDS

Santa Monica