Mount Athos, May 1, 2015
Jonathan Jackson, a popular American actor, has visited Holy Mount Athos together with his 8-year-old son and Fr. Matthew, his confessor, reports AgionOros.ru.
During his first pilgrimage to Mt. Athos the actor visited the Xenophontos, Simonopetra, and Vatopedi Monasteries. He spent five days at Vatopedi Monastery (from last Friday till Tuesday this week). Jackson, who attended all services, has been much impressed by the life of Athonite monks. He has characterized Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, as “a man filled with love of Christ”.
In his interview given to the Greek journalists Jackson has said that he read much about the Holy Mountain and dreamt of visiting Mt. Athos and seeing the place where people for more than 1000 years are praying for mankind. He has expressed the hope that in the future he will make regular pilgrimage trips to Mt. Athos.
Jonathan Stephens Jackson was born in Orlando, Florida, but was raised in Washington state.
In spite of his young age Jackson has already played many roles: his performances are vivid and he is completely devoted to his work in films and television serials.
Jackson's first notable role was Lucky Spencer on the soap opera General Hospital, a role he played from 1993 to 1999. He won three Daytime Emmy awards for his work in the serial: in 1995, 1998 and 1999 respectively. In 2009 he resumed acting in films and won two more Emmy awards in 2011 and 2012.
On June 25, 2012, the 39th annual creative arts Daytime Emmy awards ceremony was held in Los Angeles during which the best USA daytime television programs of that year were awarded.
Among the award winners was the famous Hollywood actor Jonathan Jackson who received an Emmy for the best performance in a daytime serial – his role in General Hospital.
As soon as the winner’s name was announced and Jackson came to receive the prize, he astounded all those present and the millions of television viewers who were watching the ceremony. The actor made a sign of the cross, confessed his faith in the Most Holy Trinity and thanked monks from Holy Mount Athos, “who are praying for the whole world”.
Jonathan Jackson was born into a Seventh Day Adventist family but about three years ago he and all his family converted to Orthodoxy. According to the actor, he “decided to be with those who do not say many words but give priority to prayer. The beauty of Orthodoxy is available for anyone. If you were born in another tradition or have a different mentality, it will be not easy for you to accept Orthodox Christianity. However, the one who will manage to overcome himself or herself, will receive a true joy and blessing”.
