L Laws of the MR IV

TITLE THIRTY – NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

Public Law No. 29 [The Lighthouse Construction Act] (9/6/1949)

• §1 As an aid to maritime navigation, both commercial and private, lighthouses (φαρ) shall be constructed on Cape Arapis, Cape Akrothos, and Cape Pinnes.
• §2 Each of the three lighthouses shall be constructed of reinforced concrete to the same basic pattern.
• §3 To enable identification by the mariner, the lighthouse on Cape Arapis shall have a square tower, that on Cape Akrothos a round tower, and that on Cape Pinnes a conical tower.
• §4 For further identification the towers of the three lighthouses shall be painted checky red and gold. The rest of the lighthouse and any outbuildings shall be painted white.
• §5 To further aid in identification, the light from the beacon shall be differentiated. The lighthouse on Cape Arapis shall be isophase white of six seconds (three of white and three of darkness), that on Cape Akrothos alternating white and red each of three seconds, and that on Cape Pinnes alternating white and green each of three seconds.
• §6 The beacons shall be located 13 m. (40’) above ground level.
• §7 The beacons shall be equipped with third order Fresnel lenses.
• §8 The light of the beacons shall be produced by an acetylene flame.
• §9 Each beacon shall also have a fog horn.
• §10 The lighthouses shall be located as high up the mountainside as is feasible. The exact location shall be detemined by the office of the Hegumen Castellan.
• §11 Each site shall have an area prepared for the landing of a helicopter.
• §12 Each site shall have a path (if necessary) to the sea and a dock for deliveries by sea.
• §13 The lighthouses shall be permanently manned by a monk trained in the operation and care of the lighthouse.
• §14 Each lighthouse shall be equipped with a radiophone so that the lighthouse keeper (φαροφύλακ) may contact the office of the Hegumen Constable to order supplies. In case of an emergency, he shall contact the appropriate gendarmery headquarters.
• §15 The lighthouses shall not be open to the public.
  • Amended 1970 - Solar panels shall be installed to power the beacon and the acetylene shall be discontinued.

Public Law No. 30 [The Private Pleasure Craft Act] (2/6/1950)

• Article I – Arrival and Departure Procedures
  • §1 The flag of the Monastic Republic shall be flown while in Monastic Republic waters.
  • §2 Arriving yachts must call the Port Authority on VHF 12 from offshore, advising of the Estimated Time of Arrival.
  • §3 The "Q" flag must be flown and no one may go ashore until the Port Authorities have been aboard.
  • §4 All yachts must immediately proceed to a Port of Entry and clear in with the Port Authority, Customs, Immigration and Health. The ship's papers must be presented to the Port Authority after which Customs will issue a Transit Log (renewable after six months and valid for one year). This Transit Log must be presented to the Port Authority at each subsequent port visited in the Monastic Republic. When leaving Greece, this Transit Log must be returned to Customs.
  • §5 A fully detailed crew list must be presented to the Port Authorities on both arrival and departure from ports.
  • §6 The Gendarmery of the Monastic Republic monitors all calls on VHF 12 so this channel should be monitored when approaching ports and whilst in port.

• Article II - Immigration & Customs
  • §1 A visa shall not be required for a visit of no more than three months for citizens of the Hellenic Empire and of any other nation having diplomatic relations with the Monastic Republic. For longer stays a visa must be applied for well in advance of the three month expiration date.
  • §2 Visas must be issued in advance for all other nationalities and are valid for up to three months. Visa extensions can be obtained from the nearest Gendarmery station.
  • §3 Firearms and ammunitions must be declared on arrival.
  • §4 Cats and dogs require health and rabies inoculation certificates issued in the country of origin, not more than 12 months previously for dogs, six months for cats, and not less than six days before arrival.
  • §5 Individual passports shall not be stamped on entry into the Monastic Republic aboard a yacht, nor is this required for departure with the same yacht. However, if leaving by other means (by air), the stamps shall be required by Immigration at the point of exit.
  • §6 Yachts shall carry their original registration documents and the ship's radio station licence. One member of the crew shall be in possession of a certificate to operate the radio/VHF.
  • §7 The original insurance certificate and a Greek translation showing Third Party insurance with the amounts in figures. These minimum amounts are:
    • MD$110,000 liability for death or injury by sinking, collision or other cause for crew and third parties,
    • MD$55,000 for damage,
    • MD$32,500 for pollution.
  • §8 The captain must have an International Certificate of Competence.
  • §9 Nights must be spent on board and not in hotels or other accomodations ashore. If invited to stay with a citizen, a crew member must notify the Harbour Master and the Immigration officer.
  • §10 Fishing and underwater activity is restricted in the Monastic Republic. The Gendarmery should be consulted before engaging in these activities.
  • §11 If the boat is be under the command os someone other than the owner or the captain, that person shall ensure that the proper documentation is obtained from the Port Police.
  • §12 Chartering by foreign yachts shall not be permitted.
  • §13 Hauling out a vessel shall require the authorization of the Gendarmery.

• Article III - Fees
  • §14 For all foreign boats over seven meters, there shall be a Circulation Fee of MD$4.50 per meter, payable at the first Port of Entry.
  • §15 If planning to stay in Monastic Republic waters for longer than twelve months, this Circulation Fee shall be levied for a permit entitled the Private Pleasure Yacht Permission for Stay Document. This document is valid for three years. A Port Police Charge of MD$6.50 shall be levied for issuing these permits. If re-entering Monastic Republic waters within 30 days, this Circulation Fee already paid will apply.
  • §16 The marinas shall charge a mooring fee based on the length of the yacht. This fee is MD$9.00 for each ten meters in length.
  • §17 There is a basic fee of MD$4.00 charged at each port for completing the paperwork.

Public Law No. 34 [Xerxes Canal Reconstruction Act (Το Νομοσχέδιο για την Aνασυγκροτήσην της Ξέρξου Διώρυγας] (2/4/1975)

• §1 Given that the Xerxes Canal is virtually impassable, the Canal shall be reconstructed to a surface width of 55 perticas (526 ft., 163 m.), a bottom width of 100 perticas (296 m., 975 ft.), and a depth of 4 perticas (11.8 m., 39 ft.).
• §2 To this end, the Holy Synod shall create the Xerxes Canal Authority (Εξουσία Ξέρξου Διώρυγας - Exousía Xérxou Diôrygas)(hereinafter EXD), which shall be composed of the three demarchs and six other citizens, two from each of the demes, to manage the construction and operation of the Canal.
• §3 The EXD Administration building shall be located in Aktí.
• §4 This Commission shall draw up its own governing by-laws which shall be submitted to the Holy Synod for approval.
• §5 A toll, determined by Law, shall be exacted from vessels wishing to use the Canal and shall vary as the needs of maintaining the Canal change.
• §6 The Canal is not to realize more than a ten percent profit from the tolls exacted above the cost of maintaining the Canal.
• §7 Any profit realized from the Canal may be used by the Holy Synod to supplement any other item in the annual budget.
• §8 The EXD shall submit an annual operating budget to the Archimandrite for submission to the Holy Synod.
• §9 Operation of the Canal includes, but is not limited to, dredging of the Canal to maintain a proper depth, maintenance of the tunnel (in cooperation with the Department of Roads), maintenance of the landscaped banks of the Canal and of the paved foot/bicycle paths thereon, the planting and care of orange trees the length of the canal on either side, and the salaries of those employed to maintain the Canal.
• §10 The Gendarmery shall patrol the Canal. A unit from Ouranoupoli shall patrol the western half and a unit from Aktí shall patrol the eastern half.
• §11 The purchase and maintenance of patrol boats, a tugboat and two fireboats, and the salaries of the gendarmes shall constitute a separate budget item submitted to the Archimandrite by the EXD.
• §12 The cost of reconstructing the Canal shall also include the cost of constructing a tunnel under the Canal for vehicular traffic on the Intercity Road. The tunnel shall convey all the traffic conveyed by the Intercity Highway, i.e., vehicular traffic, trolleybus, and pedestrians. The tunnel shall also include a common utility duct to carry power and telecommunication cables across the Canal. Any existing bridges over the Canal shall be removed.
• §13 The following regulations shall apply to vessels navigating the Canal:
  • a. Hazardous or dangerous cargo may not pass through the Canal. A stiff fine shall be exacted for violation of this restriction, which could include imprisonment for the captain of the vessel.
  • b. Radios shall be tuned to the assigned frequency at all times during passage through the Canal. Signs announcing the frequency shall be posted at both entrances.
  • c. Passage through the Canal is permitted only in daylight hours. Decreased visibility shall also be a reason to prohibit traffic on the Canal.
  • d. Wind-sailing shall be prohibited on the Canal.
  • e. Small hand-powered vessels, such as rowboats and canoes, shall be prohibited on the Canal.
  • f. Power-driven vessels may set their sails.
  • g. Traffic shall pass to the right.
  • h. Stopping the vessel shall not be permitted at any time during passage through the Canal, except in the case of an emergency. In such a case the vessel in distress must notify the Gendarmery immediately who shall immediately send assistance.
  • i. It shall be permitted to tow one other vessel the length of which shall not exceed 15 m. The minimum speed while towing shall not be less than 9 km./hr.
  • j. Appropriate speed limits of vessels navigating the Canal shall be determined by the Gendarmery and posted clearly and at several places along the length of the Canal.
  • k. The toll shall be based on the type of vessel, its actual tonnage, and its overall length. The following categories of vessels are recognized:
    • Category A - cargo vessels, fishing boats, tugboats, warships, and special purpose vessels
    • Category B - barges, floating cranes, and floating docks.
    • Category C - private pleasure craft and fishing boats registered and berthed in the Monastic Republic.
    • Category D - passenger and cruise ships capable of carrying more than 25 passengers.
  • l. No toll shall be exacted of the Monastic Republic's tour boats.
• §13 The required toll shall be transmitted electronically before entering the Canal at either end.
• §14 A schedule shall list the costs of hiring the Monastic Republic's tugboats, pilot boats, cranes and barges.

TITLE THIRTY-FOUR – PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES AND OBSERVANCES

Public Law No. 22 [The National Holidays Act (Το Νομοσχέδιο Εθνικών Εορτών)] (6/7/1932)

• §1 The following public days of rest shall be observed in the Serene Monastic Republic of the Holy Mountain:
  • January 6 (January 7 if January 6 falls on a Sunday), the Epiphany/ē Theopháneia tou Kyríou;
  • February 2 (February 3 if February 2 falls on a Sunday), the Presentation of Christ/ē Hypapánte tou Kyríou;
  • Good Friday/ē Megále Paraskeuḗ;
  • Easter/ta Páscha Monday;
  • Ascension/ē Analépsis tou Kyríou Thursday;
  • Pentecost/ē Pentekostḗ Monday;
  • July 5 (July 6 if July 5 falls on a Sunday), Constitution Day/ta Ēméra tou Suntágmatos, the date on which the constitution was adopted in 1872;
  • August 15 (August 16 if August 15 falls on a Sunday), the Dormition of the All-holy/ē Koímesis tēs Panagías;
  • Election Day, the first Monday of September in election years/ta Ēméra tōn Εlogṓn;
  • September 8 (September 9 if September 8 falls on a Sunday), the Nativity of the All-holy/ē Génnēsē tēs Panagías Παναγίας;
  • October 5 (October 6 if October 5 falls on a Sunday), Independence Day/ta Ēméra Anexartēsés, the date on which a united force of monks drove the Ottoman troops out of the Monastic Republic's territory in 1870;
  • November 21 (November 22 if November 21 falls on a Sunday), the Presentation of the All-holy/ē Eídosis tēs Panagías;
  • December 8 (December 9 if December 8 falls on a Sunday), the Immaculate Conception of the All-Holy/ē Ópilē Súllēpsē;
  • December 24, Christmas Eve;
  • December 25, Christmas Day/ta Xristoúgenna.
• §2 On these days all government institutions shall be closed. This includes, but is not limited to, schools, post offices, banks, government agencies, and alcoholic beverage stores.
• §3 Any government agency that caters to the tourist trade need not close on these days. However, this shall not include any of the agencies enumerated in §2.
• §4 Private businesses that do not close on these days must give their employees compensatory time for working on these days.

TITLE THIRTY-FIVE – POSTAL SERVICE

Public Law No. 23 [The Postal Services Act] (10/4/1932)

• Article 1 [General]
  • §1 By treaty with the Hellenic Kingdom, the postage of the Serene Monastic Republic of the Holy Mountain will be put on a par with that of the Hellenic Kingdom.
  • §2 Any change in postal rates in the Hellenic Kingdom will be reflected automatically in the rates in the Monastic Republic.
  • §3 Postal rates for delivery within the Monastic Republic will be determined by Law. Only stamps of the Monastic Republic may be used for mail posted within the Monastic Republic.
  • §4 A commission shall be established to design the artwork for the stamps of the Monastic Republic. These designs shall be submitted to the Archimandrite for his approval.
  • §5 Every stamp approved by the Archimandrite shall contain the following elements:
    • a. the letters ΓΜΔΑΟ
    • b. the denomination of the stamp in large numerals
    • c. the year of the printing in small numerals
    • c. a design approved by the Archimandrite
  • §6 Stamps of the Monastic Republic shall be either square or rectangular.
  • §7 Enough postal stamps shall be printed to satisfy both postal needs and philatelic needs.
• Article 2 [Penalty Mail]
  • §1 The following are entitled to the use of penalty mail:
    • a. the Archimandrite and the Hegumens for their official business;
    • b. Members of the Justiciary and their staffs when discharging their official function;
    • c. those so designated in the Gendarmery when discharging their official function;
  • §2 Penalty envelopes shall be printed with the name of the agent using them in the upper left hand corner.
  • §3 Penalty mail is valid for mail only within the Monastic Republic.

TITLE THIRTY-EIGHT – PUBLIC LANDS

Public Law No. 5 [The Real Estate Act] (10/7/1884)

• §1 All land shall belong to the Serene Monastic Republic of the Holy Mountain. No citizen may own land.
• §2 Citizens may build their own homes or businesses on public land by agreement with the Protos Seneschal. They shall own the building but not the land on which it is built.
• §3 No building constructed in the Monastic Republic shall be taller than three stories. This shall not be applied to the monasteries themselves, but does apply to any building constructed by the monasteries.
• §4 Basements may be built wherever the water table permits.
• §5 Any building constructed in the Monastic Republic shall be constructed so as to be earthquake and fire resistant.

TITLE FORTY-ONE – ALIENS AND NATIONALITY

Public Law No. 19 [The Naturalization Act] (9/8/1931)

• Article I [Naturalization]
  • §1 Citizenship in the Serene Monastic Republic of the Holy Mountain, as well as its legal effects, is acquired, kept and lost in accordance with the Law.
  • §2 There shall be no immigration quota system. Those wishing to become citizens of the Monastic Republic shall be treated on a first-come, first-served basis and at the discretion of the Holy Synod.
  • §3 The acquisition of citizenship in the Monastic Republic by a foreign national shall be regulated by Law which requires, inter alia, the fulfillment of the following conditions:
    • a. that he can speak and write Greek;
    • b. that he be gainfully employed in the Monastic Republic;
    • c. that he has formally and legally renounced citizenship of any other country;
    • d. that he has resided in the Monastic Republic for at least ten years; and
    • e. that, in the five years preceding taking the oath of citizenship, he has not been out of the Monastic Republic more than 30 days in any one calendar year.
  • §4 The requirements of §3 do not apply to the monks on the Holy Mountain. Monks gain citizenship automatically upon acceptance into a monastery by the Hegumen or Abbot.
  • §5 Upon final acceptance of monk by his Hegumen or Abbot, the monk must renounce his citizenship in his native country.
  • §6 Identification data of newly admitted monks must be sent immediately to the office of the Hegumen Constable.
  • §7 With the exception of voting and the holding of public office, a foreign national who has officially announced his intention to become a citizen of the Monastic Republic, and who is in his ten-year residency, is accorded all the rights and privileges of a citizen.
  • §8 A person of foreign nationality who is married to a citizen of the Monastic Republic may acquire citizenship after residing in the Monastic Republic for only five years, provided that the conditions of §3a, §3c, and §3e have been fulfilled.
  • §9 A child of adoptive parents, one of whom is a citizen of the Monastic Republic and who resides in the Monastic Republic, acquires citizenship upon legal recognition of the adoption by the Monastic Republic. Foreigners who have reached their eighteenth birthday may not be adopted by citizens of the Monastic Republic.
• Article II [Denaturalization]
  • §1 The acquisition or retention of a nationality other than that of the Monastic Republic shall entail the loss of the latter, subject to the terms and periods established by Law.
  • §2 A citizen of the Monastic Republic may renounce his citizenship for personal reasons.
  • §3 A citizen of the Monastic Republic who marries a foreign national and chooses to live with him in his country shall lose his Monastic Republic citizenship.
  • §4 Any children born to this marriage shall not be recognized as citizens of the Monastic Republic.
  • §5 Should this former citizen of the Monastic Republic be widowed or should this marriage be annulled, he and any minor children may regain their Monastic Republic citizenship.
  • §6 Any citizen of the Monastic Republic convicted of traveling on a foreign passport shall be deprived of his citizenship in the Monastic Republic.
  • §7 Loss of citizenship shall result from illegitimate service in the armed forces of another nation.
  • §8 All those who renounce or are deprived of their citizenship shall leave the Monastic Republic. Any personal property not taken with them, or for which arrangements for distribution have not been made, shall become the property of the State.
  • §9 The family members of the deportee have the option of being deported or of remaining as citizens of the Monastic Republic. Those wishing to remain citizens of the Monastic Republic enjoy the favor of the Law.
  • §10 Extradition treaties shall be entered into with any sovereign nation that requests it with due regard given to human rights issues.
  • §11 The Archimandrite may, for reasons of national security, forbid the entrance of any foreign national into the Monastic Republic.

TITLE FORTY-TWO – PUBLIC ASSOCIATIONS

Public Law No. 15 [The Public Associations Register Act] (5/6/1930)

• §1 The demes of the Lowland and the Isles shall establish a common registry of the associations permitted to assemble in the demes.
• §2 The registry entry shall include the name of the association, its address, the name of the person in charge, its purpose, its connection to any non-Athonite association, and the date of approval.
• §3 A copy of the association's constitution or bylaws must be submitted with the application to assemble.
• §4 It shall be the responsibility of the association to notify the demes of any changes in the data required by §2.
• §5 A delay of longer than ten working days in notifying the demes of any changes shall void the approval of the association.
• §6 The definition of 'association' shall not include those churches permitted by the Holy Synod.

TITLE FORTY-THREE - VOTING

Public Law No. 14 [The Voting Register Act] (4/8/1930)

• §1 Each deme shall maintain a register of those of its residents who are eligible to vote.
• §2 Each register entry shall list the name, the date of birth or naturalization, the identification number, the address, a notation of the date and reason for the right being suspended, and a notation of the date and reason for the right being reinstated.
• §3 Every citizen, upon reaching the age of 18, shall be notified by the voting registrar of his right to vote. He shall be asked to appear before the voting registrar to verify the registry information.
• §4 A new identification card shall be issued to the new voter containing the information that he is eligible to vote.