Gregoriou Holy Monastery - Mount Athos
Nestled along the western edge of Mount Athos, amidst the monastic communities of Simonopetra and Dionysiou, the seaside Monastery of Saint Gregory proudly stands upon rugged and precipitous cliffs.
It is one of the smallest monastic establishments on Mount Athos. Founded in the latter half of the 14th century, this monastery celebrates Saint Nicholas as its patron saint on December 6th.
As a visitor approaches the monastery's picturesque harbor, they follow a charming cobblestone path that leads them through a blossoming garden just before reaching the main gate.
Above the gate, a grand multi-story wing, known as Papa-Simeon's Wing, adorns the complex. Erected in the late 19th century, this wing introduced a second courtyard within the monastery's grounds, adorned by a lush, multi-foliage arbor surrounded by small groves.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory is one of the twenty monasteries of the venerable Athonite State, holding the 17th position in the hierarchical order, immediately following the Monastery of Xenophontos.
Since 1840, it has operated as a coenobitic residence, bearing the official seal of approval of Patriarch Anthimos IV. Hieromonk Christoforos has been the abbot since 2014, succeeding the esteemed Elder George Kapsanis, who presided over the abbacy for over four decades.
Within the precincts of the Gregoriou Monastery, six chapels and five cells are located, embodying the monastic essence of the Holy Monastery.
The establishment of the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory dates back to the early 14th century, with its name officially appearing in documents from 1347 and 1348.
The early history of the monastery is closely intertwined with Saint Gregory of Sinai, a renowned ascetic and master of "contemplative prayer." S
aint Gregory of Sinai came to Mount Athos and, for a period, practiced in the vicinity of the monastery. Among his disciples was a man named Saint Gregory "the Young," who hailed from Serbia, although details about his life remain somewhat elusive.
Initially, Saint Gregory "the Young" pursued an ascetic life in a cave slightly above the current monastery, which stands preserved to this day and is open to visitors.
Notably, at this location, a natural spring of pristine water still flows, believed by tradition to have miraculously sprung forth from a rock following Saint Gregory's prayers and the touch of his staff.
Subsequently, Saint Gregory "the Young" descended to lower grounds and erected the monastery in its present location, dedicating it to Saint Nicholas.
By the late 14th century, Mount Athos was home to 25 monasteries, with the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory ranking as the 22nd in the hierarchy and boasting a brotherhood of 270 monks.
In 1497, the monastery found itself in a dire position and was deserted due to the raids of the Barbarian Agarins, who burned and destroyed it.
Its restoration came about through the generous efforts of Stephen the Great, the ruler of Moldavia, who invested substantial resources in its reconstruction.
Throughout the period of Ottoman rule, the monastery received support from various Orthodox rulers of the Danubian regions.
However, by the late 17th century, the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory was among the least affluent monastic establishments on Mount Athos. Notably, the amount it paid in taxes to the Ottoman state was a mere quarter of what other monasteries, such as Great Lavra, Vatopadi, and Hilandar, contributed.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory suffered its second devastating fire in 1761. The entire monastery was consumed by the flames, with the monks only managing to salvage the sacred relics and holy artifacts.
During this period, Ioakeim, known as "Makrygenis," served as the sacristan in the monastery, hailing from Akarnania. The epithet "Makrygenis" finds its origin in a remarkable tale.
One day, as Ioakeim gazed upon the monastery's charred remains from above, he grieved its loss. Suddenly, a venerable old man appeared before him, assuring Ioakeim that the monastery would be rebuilt on a grander scale, and he urged Ioakeim to take charge of the fundraising efforts.
Ioakeim skeptically responded that the monastery would only be rebuilt when he grew a beard—a seemingly impossible feat, given his rare condition.
However, the old man replied, "The monastery will indeed be rebuilt, and you shall grow a beard," and then vanished. Remarkably, Ioakeim's face sprouted a beard that reached down to the ground.
Realizing that the old man was none other than Saint Nicholas, the monastery's patron saint, Ioakeim gained the courage to initiate the fundraising campaign.
He successfully gathered generous contributions, even from the Sultan and the rulers of Hungary, ultimately overseeing the reconstruction of the monastery.
During this same period, a significant event in the monastery's history was the donation of the sacred relics of Saint Anastasia of Rome, who has since become the monastery's patroness.
Saint Anastasia of Rome is renowned for performing numerous miracles and possessing the gift of healing all ailments.
The monastery commemorates her memory annually. Saint Anastasia, alongside two other revered saints—Saint Anna and Mary Magdalene—stands as the only holy women celebrated on Mount Athos in defiance of the traditional restrictions.
In the tumultuous years of the Greek Revolution in 1821, the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory fell under the occupation of Turkish forces, resulting in significant damage, including the burning of books and the conversion of the church into a stable.
Many monks met a martyr's fate while attempting to defend the sacred grounds. Some managed to rescue the holy relics and the majority of the precious artifacts via sea.
A pivotal moment in the monastery's history occurred with the appointment of Father Symeon as abbot in the late 19th century, beginning in 1859.
Under Father Symeon's leadership, the monastery experienced a remarkable transformation.
He successfully cleared the monastery's longstanding debts and initiated an extensive renovation program, which included the addition of new buildings, effectively doubling the monastery's size by 1900.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory had an active role in the Macedonian struggle with the dependency of "Balabani" in Halkidiki, where Neos Marmaras is today.
The monastery faced severe hardships during World War II due to food shortages and inflated commodity prices.
During this time, a remarkable event took place within the monastery, known as "the miracle in the oven." Monks at the monastery's oven retrieved the last remaining grain to send to the mills. Suddenly, an elderly man, resembling a priest, appeared and inquired if this was their final supply. The monks affirmed it was indeed their last.
The mysterious elder then took a handful of wheat, blessed it, and scattered it over the remaining grains. When asked about his origin, he claimed to come from afar, specifically from Myra in Lycia, the birthplace of Saint Nicholas.
The monks offered to show their gratitude by seeking a blessing from the unknown elder, but by the time they returned with their gesture of appreciation, he had vanished.
Ultimately, the Monastery of Gregory received a visit from its patron saint, Saint Nicholas, and the wheat he had blessed miraculously ensured an abundant harvest until the next season.
To this day, the Holy Monastery of Gregory continues its extensive missionary work in Kolwezi, Congo (formerly Zaire), contributing to the preservation of Orthodoxy beyond Greece.
The Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and was constructed by Abbot Ioakeim in the late 18th century.
It is one of the smaller Katholikons on Mount Athos, and its frescoes were completed in 1779 by the painters Gabriel and Gregory from Kastoria.
The intricately carved wooden iconostasis within the Katholikon is considered one of the most significant artistic treasures of Mount Athos.
It is gilded and adorned with depictions from the Old and New Testaments. In 1981, the eastern wall of the narthex was embellished with contemporary frescoes in the Macedonian style.
The refectory of the Grigoriou Monastery was constructed as part of the general reconstruction effort following the 1761 fire, under the leadership of Abbot Ioakeim.
It underwent renovation in 1993 and was adorned with frescoes in 1995.
The monastery's Phiale, where the blessing of the holy water takes place, is constructed from pristine white marble and is crowned by an exquisitely frescoed dome supported by eight columns.
The monastery comprises 14 chapels, seven of which are situated within its confines. In 1851, the Chapel of Saint Gregory was added to the northern side of the Katholikon, establishing an internal connection with the main Katholikon.
Within the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory, a wealth of treasures awaits discovery, including a collection of significant relics.
These treasures encompass a cross containing a fragment of the Holy Cross from the crucifixion of our Lord, along with two intricately embroidered epitaphs dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
Additionally, the monastery houses encyclicals, reliquaries, sacred vestments, gospel covers, and various liturgical vessels. These precious relics are safeguarded in silver or silver-plated reliquaries within the hallowed confines of the sanctuary.
Here, one can find a multitude of fragments from the holy remains of approximately 100 saints from our Orthodox tradition.
Every evening, during the Apodeipnon (after-supper) service, these sacred relics are reverently displayed for visitors to offer their devotion.
Among these revered relics are the remains of three patron saints of the monastery: Saint Nicholas, Saint Gregory, and Saint Anastasia of Rome.
Remarkably, the right hand of Saint Anastasia remains perfectly preserved with its indestructible skin. The remaining relics of these patron saints are reserved for display during the annual festival held in their honor.
Furthermore, the monastery boasts other notable sacred relics, including the incorruptible hand of Saint Gregory the Theologian, one of the esteemed Three Holy Hierarchs.
There are also fragments from the forearm of Saint John Chrysostom, a portion of the shin of Saint Ignatius, a segment of the head of Saint Dionysius Areopagite, the indestructible hand of Saint Makrina (the elder sister of Saint Basil the Great), the preserved skin of Saint Paraskevi, the lower jaw of Saint John the Merciful (the Patriarch of Alexandria), and a host of other revered artifacts.
In this sanctified setting, these relics serve as tangible links to our rich spiritual heritage, inspiring devotion and reverence among all who visit the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory.
In the collection housed at the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory, a diverse array of portable icons can be found, spanning the Byzantine, post-Byzantine, and modern eras.
Among them, a select few shine brightly due to their historical, artistic, and religious significance.
One of the most esteemed treasures within the monastery is the miraculous icon of Our Lady "Pantanassa" [All-queen], alternatively known as "Paleologina."
This Byzantine masterpiece, dating back to the 14th century, was generously gifted to the Gregoriou Monastery during the 15th century by none other than Stephen the Great, the ruler of Moldavia, and his wife, Maria Asanina Paleologina.
During the devastating fire of 1761, which engulfed the Gregoriou Monastery, the monks were unable to rescue this precious icon from the flames.
Remarkably, despite the inferno reducing everything around it to ashes, the icon remained miraculously unscathed.
Another exceptional work of art adorning the monastery is the icon of Our Lady “Galaktotrophousa” [Milk-feeding].
This 17th-century icon depicts the Theotokos nursing the divine infant, a subject matter quite rare in Orthodox iconography. Lastly, we must not overlook the 15th-century icon of Saint Nicholas, gracing the Katholikon.
Saint Nicholas is portrayed with the countenance of a seafarer, his nose and twin eyebrows forming an inverted anchor.
The markings on his brow suggest a tempest, while two vessels take shape beneath his gaze.
The symbolism is unmistakable, as Saint Nicholas is the guardian of the seas, perpetually watchful over and safeguarding the ships that traverse them.
Today, the library of the Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory stands meticulously organized. However, it bears the scars of history, having suffered significant losses in the fires of 1761 and pillaging during the turbulent years of the Greek Revolution.
Presently, this repository houses an impressive collection, boasting 300 manuscripts, including 11 parchments, and over 20,000 printed books, including 630 rare editions.
Within the monastery's archives, one can discover numerous documents of immense historical importance, including chrysobula, patriarchal seals, and firman decrees.
Of singular note, the library safeguards the sole manuscript containing the complete renowned work titled "The Shepherd of Hermas."
The first Greek edition of this manuscript, located by Thomas Papadopoulos within the precincts of the Gregoriou Monastery in the "Libraries of Mount Athos," is none other than the "Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith" by Saint John of Damascus, printed in Verona in 1531.
The Holy Monastery of Xenophontos on Mount Athos is renowned for its exceptional monastic products.
Its orthodox frankincense, with its aromatic essence, is a cherished choice for enhancing the spiritual atmosphere.
The prayer ropes, crafted with dedication and tradition, offer a timeless means for inner reflection and tranquility. Furthermore, the honey produced with care and devotion is a flavorful delight that reflects the essence of the region.
Lastly, the monastery's book editions represent the intellectual wealth and spiritual heritage shared by the monastery with the world.
Fax : 0030 23770 23671
Telephone : 0030 23770 23668
Website : www.imgrigoriou.gr
E -mail : [email protected]
