Holy Monastery of Iviron

A significant center of Orthodox Christianity

Nestled amidst the ruins of the ancient city of Cleonae on the northeastern slopes of Mount Athos, the revered Holy Monastery of Iviron stands tall.

Located beside the confluence of a significant river, nestled between the Stavronikita and Philotheou Monasteries, the Holy Monastery of Iviron holds the third position in the hierarchy among the twenty monastic communities of Mount Athos.

The name of the monastery is derived from its founding monks, who were Iberians, in other words, Georgians. The establishment of Iviron dates back to the late 10th century, not long after the founding of the Lavra and Vatopedi monasteries, boasting a history that spans over a millennium.

The Ivirite monks celebrate their monastery’s patronal feast, panigiri, on August 15th in honor of the Dormition of the Theotokos of the Virgin Mary. The Skete of Timios Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) is under the jurisdiction of Iviron. In the present day, Archimandrite Nathanael serves as the spiritual leader of the monastery.

The esteemed Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos traces its foundations back to the year 980 AD. One of its notable founders was Venerable Ioane-Tornike of Mount Athos, an Iberian (or Georgian) general who had close ties with the royal courts of Constantinople.

Drawn to the spiritual life, Tornike chose to embrace monasticism on Mount Athos. There, he found himself in the company of Saint Athanasius the Athonite, the revered founder of the Great Lavra, whose reputation in that era was unparalleled.

At a crucial juncture, the Byzantine Emperor Basil II summoned Tornike to temporarily set aside his monastic life. The emperor sought his assistance in Constantinople to suppress a formidable rebellion led by the general known as "Bardas Skleros".

Rising to the occasion, Tornike heeded the emperor's call and played an instrumental role in suppressing Bardas's rebellion, thus safeguarding the reigning dynasty. In gratitude for his invaluable service,

Emperor Basil II not only permitted Tornike to claim war spoils but also bestowed upon him the old Monastery of Clement on Mount Athos, confirmed with a chrysobull in 980 AD. On this historical site, Tornike embarked on the construction of a new monastery, erecting the present-day Iviron Monastery atop the ruins of the former Monastery of Clement.

In the subsequent years, the Iviron Monastery witnessed rapid expansion, establishing properties beyond the bounds of Athos. During its golden age, its halls and courtyards echoed with the devout prayers of numerous Georgian and Russian monks who sought solace within its walls.

In the early 11th century, under the leadership of Abbot Euthymius, the monastery established a dedicated bibliographic workshop. Here, numerous manuscripts were copied, and significant works of Greek ecclesiastical literature were translated into Georgian. This translation initiative played a pivotal role in transmitting Greek Orthodox teachings to Georgia.

In 1357, under the decree of Patriarch Kallistos II, the Georgian monastery came under Greek control, as the Greeks outnumbered the local inhabitants at the time.

Like many other monasteries on Mount Athos, the Iviron Monastery endured multiple calamities during the 13th and 14th centuries. These were due to raids by the Franks and Catalans, as well as persecution by the Unionists.

In 1651, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich of Russia entreated the Iviron Monastery to send a faithful replica of the miraculous icon of the "Portaitissa" Virgin Mary to Moscow, hoping it would heal his ailing daughter.

Miraculously, the icon did indeed heal the Tsar's daughter. In gratitude, the Tsar bestowed upon the Iviron Monastery the esteemed St. Nicholas Monastery in Moscow.

During the Greek Revolution in 1821, the Iviron Monastery generously offered a portion of its assets to support the Greek independence movement.

Unfortunately, the monastery faced devastating fires in both 1845 and 1865. The last monk from Iberia, named Tychon, passed away in 1955, marking the end of the Georgian monastic presence at the Iviron Monastery.

In the heart of the expansive courtyard stands the prominent Katholikon of the Iviron Monastery. Dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos, it appears to be the oldest Katholikon among the Athonite monasteries. Architecturally, it mirrors the Byzantine Athonite style seen in the Great Lavra's Katholikon.

An Iberian Monk and former abbot of the monastery, George the Hagiorite, undertook repairs in 1030 to the Katholikon, which was originally constructed in 980.

A marble floor from the 11th century still remains from that era. However, due to wear, the Katholikon underwent significant reconstruction in 1513.

Adorning its walls are frescoes spanning various periods, from the 16th to the 19th century. Its impressive iconostasis is intricately carved from wood and features three narthexes.

The monastery's refectory, restored in 1848 by Archimandrite Athanasios, boasts frescoes attributed to an artist from the renowned Macedonian School.

The monastery's Phiale or Holy Water Vessel, built in 1614, was later restored by Visarion in 1734. By 1878, the artist Filippo from the Italian school had adorned it with his decorative touch.

Within the Katholikon itself, two chapels are seamlessly integrated, dedicated to the Holy Archangels and St. Nicholas, both adorned with frescoes.

Surrounding the main area, the precinct contains an additional 14 chapels. Notably among them are the chapels of Panagia "Portaitissa" and Timios Prodromos. Intriguingly, the Timios Prodromos chapel is built atop the remnants of the Katholikon from the ancient Monastery of Clement.

The Panagia "Portaitissa" chapel, housing a miraculous icon bearing its name, is a site of daily Divine Liturgy and heartfelt supplication.

The Holy Monastery of Iviron boasts an array of sacred relics and treasures, including episcopal staffs, the Holy Grail, sacred medallions, mitres, gold-embroidered ecclesiastical vestments, and various other religious artifacts.

Preserved within its walls are the cloak of Patriarch St. Gregory V, the imperial robe of Emperor Tsimiskes, and a gospel, a cherished gift from Peter the Great of Russia.

Inside the Katholikon, one can find a unique seven-light silver lamp crafted in the shape of a lemon tree, adorned with 30 gilded lemons and accompanied by seven candlesticks.

This exquisite lamp was presented to the monastery's representative, Cyril, as a gracious gift from the citizens of Moscow.

Adjacent to the beautiful entrance gate hangs an impressive silver candelabrum weighing over two kilograms. In a phenomenon that has mystified many, this candelabrum sways rhythmically and horizontally during significant religious feasts.

The elders of the monastery believe this movement signifies the protection of the Virgin Mary, indicating her presence and care. The monastery also houses several revered holy relics, including the right hand of St. Basil the Great, the skull of Saint Gregory of Nyssa, and the left foot of Saint Makrina, the revered abbess of the Monastery of Iris.

Within the serene walls of the Holy Monastery of Iviron, visitors can venerate the sacred and miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, known as the "Portaitissa."

This icon stands as one of the oldest and most revered images on Mount Athos. Tales of its wonders, as well as those attributed to its replicas, resonate across the globe. Its journey to Mount Athos began in Nicaea during the tumultuous times of iconoclasm.

Every year, a grand festival celebrates the Virgin Mary "Portaitissa" on the Monday of Diakainisimos, the week after Easter. This event draws a throng of devoted pilgrims who participate in a holy procession that leads all the way to the monastery’s port. It is at this location that the icon, attributed to Saint Gabriel the Iberian, was discovered.

The library of the Holy Monastery of Iviron is a treasure trove, ranking among Mount Athos' most opulent collections. It proudly houses 3,000 manuscripts, illustrated codices, 15 liturgical scrolls, Georgian manuscripts, and a 13th-century gospel of incalculable worth, accompanied by an illustrated codex dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, also from the 13th century.

Among these treasures, 123 codices are crafted from parchment, 23 from vellum, with the remainder being paper-based.

The library’s collection boasts more than 15,000 printed volumes. Particularly noteworthy are some rare editions, including the “Letters of Various Philosophers” curated by Marcus Mousouros in 1499 at Aldo Manutius' famed Venetian printing house, the “Dictionary of Favourinus” from 1523, and the illuminating “Commentaries on the Tragedies of Euripides” produced in Venice in 1534.

Fax : 0030 23770 23248

Telephone : 0030 2377023643

Website : www.imiviron.gr

E -mail : [email protected]

On the rugged terrain of Mount Athos, the majestic Iveron Monastery rises, a fragment of heaven fallen to earth. The monastery is an oasis of serenity and tranquility, where prayer and spirituality reign supreme.Our Lady Portaitissa, the miraculous icon of Our Lady, stands above the monastery gate. Her gaze is filled with love and compassion, as if it pierces through our very souls. The icon offers peace and hope to those who venerate it, and it gives them strength to continue on their way.