T Telephone System in the MR

• In 1952 a telephone system was established in the Monastic Republic. Residences and businesses were joined to the system using underground cables so as not to mar the scenery. A cable was laid from Prosforion to Amoulián to connect the island to the system. Cables were laid from Prosforion to Dafni and the monasteries on the east coast to connect the Holy Mountain to the system and from Aktí to the monasteries on the west coast. By the end of 1954, every residence and business in the Monastic Republic, including the monasteries, had a telephone.

• As the technology developed, the Monastic Republic was not slow in adopting the innovations to the MR’s system. However, there has not been a great demand for cell phones. They are used mainly by police and emergency personnel. A phone tower has been erected on a hill outside of Prosforion which is not on the Holy Mountain. Cell phones will not function on the Holy Mountain, since there is no tower coverage.

• Because of the small population, it has not been necessary to use telephone numbers greater than five digits.
  • The exchange for Prosforion is PR (77). It is sufficient to have resident and business telephone numbers from 001 to 999.
  • The exchange for Aktí is AK (25). It is sufficient to have resident and business telephone numbers from 001 to 999.
  • The exchange for Amoulián is AM (26). It is sufficient to have resident and business telephone numbers from 001 to 999.
  • The exchange for government offices is KU (58) (κυβέρνις, government). It is sufficient to have government telephone numbers from 001 to 999.
  • The exchange for the Holy Mountain is AO (26) (Άγιος Όρος, Holy Mountain).
    • The monastery telephone numbers go from 001 for St. Athanasius to 020 for St. Thomas in their order of precedence. Each monastery has but one telephone which is in the office of the hegumen or abbot.
  • It is only necessary to dial the last three digits for a call made within an exchange.
  • The emergency telephone number is 111. The 111 emergency service has its office in the hospital.

• There are telephone boxes placed throughout the demes. The numbers 980 through 999 are reserved for them. They are identical to the English boxes. They are painted red, but the door and the window lattices are painted yellow. And of course, the word ‘’τιλέφων’’ instead of ‘’telephone’’ is printed above.

• The international telephone code for the Monastic Republic is 386.