The best article you'll ever read about bribery, fiscal misprision, Greek misanthropy, and the monks of Mount Athos.

At that moment, out of nowhere, Father Ephraim walks in. Round, with rosy cheeks and a white beard, he is more or less the spitting image of Santa Claus. He even has a twinkle in his eye. A few months before, hed been hauled before the Greek Parliament to testify. One of his interrogators said that the Greek government had acted with incredible efficiency when it swapped Vatopaidis lake for the Ministry of Agricultures commercial properties. He asked Ephraim how he had done it.Dont you believe in miracles? Ephraim had said.Im beginning to, said the Greek M.P.When we are introduced, Ephraim clasps my hand and holds it for a very long time. It crosses my mind that he is about to ask me what I want for Christmas. Instead he says, What is your faith? Episcopalian, I cough out. He nods; he calibrates: it could be worse; it probably is worse. You are married? he asks. Yes. You have children? I nod; he calibrates: I can work with this. He asks for their names

And thanks to this segment from last Sunday'sepisode of 60 Minutes, you can now see Mount Athos for yourself.You can find the second half of the segment, which features Vatopaidi and Father Ephraim, here.