[Harmless Teddy Bear]

For a thousand years, the Greek Orthodox monks of Mount Athos have been praying in quiet and seclusion, unmolested by the outside world.

Is this land is private property? If so why does it mention that the monks were given "special protection"?

[SES1066]

... the monks were given "special protection"

I don't know for certain but I would surmise that the Greek Orthodox Church is the official church in Greece. If so, then there are probably a lot of provisions for special treatment of church property throughout the country.