Australian actor and director Mel Gibson has arrived at Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, seeking a period of spiritual reflection away from public life.
The Hollywood star is expected to spend several days at the Serbian Orthodox monastery, one of the most prominent monastic centres on the Greek peninsula of Athos. Hilandar holds significant religious and historical importance for the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Gibson, known for iconic roles in films such as Braveheart, Lethal Weapon and Mad Max, as well as for directing The Passion of the Christ in 2004, has long been a prominent figure in Hollywood. His visit to Mount Athos underscores his deep connection to Christian spirituality.
In a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Gibson spoke candidly about the challenges he believes Christianity faces in the film industry. He recalled the backlash he received during the production of The Passion of the Christ, describing Christianity as “the only religion it’s allowed to treat with contempt” in Hollywood.
He claimed that the industry is dominated by “progressives and strong liberals” who, in his view, are often more accepting of other religions but critical of Christianity due to its perceived associations with “whiteness, patriarchy and colonialism.”
Despite those challenges, Gibson said he remains proud of creating a film centred on the life of Jesus Christ, calling it the driving force behind his work at the time.
His stay at Hilandar Monastery is seen as a reaffirmation of his long-standing commitment to his faith, and the influence it continues to have on both his personal life and creative path.
