Hollywood veteran Mel Gibson is turning to prayer and silence before stepping behind the camera for his next major faith-based project.

The 69-year-old Oscar-winning director, best known in Christian circles for The Passion of the Christ, was recently spotted visiting the sacred Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece, a spiritual stronghold of Eastern Orthodoxy, ahead of filming The Resurrection of Christ this August.

Images of Gibson surrounded by robed monks, praying and participating in monastic life, have circulated online, capturing the actor’s time spent in one of the world’s most revered sites for Orthodox Christians. According to the Serbian Times, Gibson told monks, “I have never felt such a strong connection to God anywhere else as here.”

Gibson’s retreat included joining the monks for daily services, meals, and quiet prayer in the ancient Holy Serbian Imperial Lavra, a 10th-century monastery considered a cornerstone of Serbian Orthodox spirituality. He reportedly spent time discussing the history of the Serbian Church and the “struggle for freedom and defense of Christianity” with resident monks, while also venerating holy relics within the monastery.

Known as the “Garden of the Virgin Mary,” Mount Athos is home to 20 Orthodox monasteries and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The peninsula, isolated and marked by dense forests and rugged mountain peaks, is revered as a place of deep prayer and spiritual transformation, drawing pilgrims from around the world seeking a closer walk with God.

Gibson’s visit underscores his commitment to faith both personally and professionally as he prepares to continue the story that began in The Passion of Christ. The upcoming Resurrection film is expected to explore the days following Christ’s crucifixion, focusing on the triumph of His resurrection—a message that resonates deeply with Gibson’s spiritual journey.

Earlier this year, Gibson told podcaster Joe Rogan that while he was “born into a Catholic family,” he has become “very Christian” in his faith. He shared that his spiritual walk has been marked by transformation and surrender to God.

While many in Hollywood often shy away from faith conversations, Gibson has remained vocal about the role of Christianity in his life, even as he navigates the pressures and complexities of the entertainment industry. His return to Mount Athos, a place of prayer and silence, highlights his desire to seek God’s presence and direction as he embarks on telling one of the most important stories of the Christian faith on screen once again.

As Gibson prepares to begin filming The Resurrection of Christ, many Christian moviegoers will be watching closely, not only for the continuation of his powerful retelling of Christ’s story but also for how God continues to shape Gibson’s journey in the spotlight.