This week, as they exited the hemicycle, the Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe were treated to a surprise: an exhibition of photographs and treasures from the Christian Orthodox Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece. Among the objects on display was the Icon of Christ Panotcrator, which dates from the 13th century. Jesus Christ is depicted holding a scroll, signifying his role as teacher, a statement from Strasbourg explains. “It is thought, given the quality of the craftsmanship and gilding, that the icon was made in a major centre, likely Constantinople (modern Istanbul)”. Next to it was a codex of Ptolemy’s Geography (Manuscript Codex 655), which dates from around the turn of the 14th century. The photograph exhibition “Mount Athos: beyond the visible”, by John Gianntos, “depicts fascinating images of the life and natural beauty in and around Mount Athos, which the exhibition describes as a ‘spiritual refuge of European heritage’”. The exhibition was organised by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Theodoros Rousopoulos. In his opening speech to the autumn session, he made reference to the lines on the maps in the Geography and how it “mapped the geographical borders … the lines that separate polities and shape their destinies”.