The semiautonomous peninsula of Mount Athos in Northern Greece is the spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox church. Monasteries and Cloisters began appearing within its 130 square miles during the 9th century. Since 1045 women have been prohibited from entering the territory as a sign of respect for the Virgin Mary, after whom the peninsula is dedicated. The Axion Esti processsion in Karyes begins and ends at the Protaton, the oldest chuch in Mount Athos which dates back to the 9th century. The procession stops at a representative cell for each monastary around the captial city of Mount Athos. This litany is the largest in Mount Athos. The icon being venerated is also called the Axion Esti.