father elisaios is the abbot, the top man at simonos petras, one of the 20 monasteries.nvited us here, and never let us forget what a rare privilege it was. >> father elisaios ( translated ): it happened once, in 1981. >> simon: the last time you invited a television crew here was 1981. >> elisaios: correct. we weren't going to invite you, but your persistence convinced us to open the door. ( bell rings ) >> simon: the door he opened revealed the wonder that is simonos petras, which fits like a crown on top of a rock 800 feet above the aegean. it was built in the 14th century, and the monks will tell you it must be considered a miracle that it hasn't fallen into the sea. ( bells ring ) there are 20 monasteries on mt. athos. some look like medieval fortresses; others are so large, they resemble small cities. they rise from virgin forests and line the coast, shrouded in mist. there's nothing on this 130- square-mile peninsula other than monasteries and monks. nothing. we expected mt. athos to be a quiet place, but we couldn't have imagined how quiet until we were dropped o