BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Before cameras begin rolling for his highly anticipated film Resurrection, acclaimed actor and director Mel Gibson has made a profound spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Athos, Greece—a place long regarded as one of the most sacred sites in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Gibson, 69, was photographed on June 29, 2025, at the Hilandar Monastery, a 10th-century Serbian Orthodox stronghold nestled within the secluded peninsula of Mount Athos. Referred to as the “Garden of the Virgin Mary,” the monastic community is a spiritual haven marked by its strict asceticism, daily prayer, and centuries-old devotion to Christ.

His visit, which came just weeks before production began, was anything but a publicity tour. According to reports from the Serbian Times, Gibson spent his time in quiet reflection, speaking with monks about the Church’s deep history in Serbia and the enduring struggle for Christian freedom.

One photo showed him sharing a meal with the monks, while another captured him standing humbly among nearly two dozen robed ascetics during a feast day celebration.

“I have never felt such a strong connection to God anywhere else as here,” Gibson was quoted as saying—a statement that reflects the deep personal significance of his journey. In a brief video clip that surfaced online, the actor is seen engaged in a serious, almost meditative conversation with a monk, further emphasizing the solemnity of his retreat.

Mount Athos is more than just a scenic mountaintop. It’s a living monument of Christian devotion. Home to approximately 20 monasteries and countless holy relics, it serves as a pilgrimage destination for the faithful around the world. Governed under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, its monastic residents come from diverse Orthodox traditions—Greek, Serbian, Russian, Bulgarian, and Romanian—united in their singular pursuit of communion with God.

Gibson’s presence at the Serbian Hilandar Monastery carries symbolic weight. Not only is the monastery a cornerstone of Serbian Orthodoxy, but it also represents a legacy of resistance and spiritual endurance—values that align closely with the themes of Resurrection.

The film is expected to be a sequel to his 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, and early indications suggest it will focus on the events following Christ’s crucifixion, exploring themes of hope, redemption, and eternal life.

This is not the first time Gibson has turned to spiritual depth ahead of a major creative endeavor. Known for his outspoken  Christian faith, the filmmaker recently shared on Joe Rogan’s podcast that, although raised Catholic, he has grown into “a very Christian” expression of belief, rooted in Scripture, sacrifice, and grace.

As images of his monastery visit circulate online, many are already speculating that this time of prayer and silence may inform the visual and emotional language of Resurrection. If history is any indicator, Gibson’s dedication to both craft and conviction could make his next project another powerful contribution to Christian cinema.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from FB of Greek Reporter