Holy Monastery Pantokratoros - Mount Athos

Perched atop a rugged hill that stands 30 meters tall along the northeastern coastline of the Athos Peninsula, the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros appears as if it gracefully emerges from the sea.

Situated between the Vatopedi Monastery and the Stavronikita Monastery, this monastic complex seamlessly blends architectural craftsmanship with its pristine natural surroundings.

The Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros is one of the more recent additions to Mount Athos, with its establishment dating back to the mid-13th century.

It holds the distinguished seventh place in the hierarchical ranking among the twenty monasteries of Mount Athos, following the Monastery of Koutloumous.

The monastery's annual celebration takes place on August 6th, commemorating the Transfiguration of the Saviour.

The of Pantokratoros Monastery also encompasses the coenobitic Skete of Prophet Elias, along with numerous other cells, secluded spots, and hermitages.

Notably, the monastery once housed the venerated icon "Axion Esti," which is currently located in the capital of Mount Athos, within the Temple of Protaton.

The esteemed abbot presiding over the monastery today is Archimandrite Geron Gabriel.

According to historical records, the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros was established around 1357 by two brothers, Alexios and Ioannis.

Both were noble Byzantine officials who served at the court of John V Palaiologos. However, according to another enduring tradition, the monastery's origins are traced back approximately three centuries earlier to Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.

These two brothers, originally from Bithynia in Asia Minor, were engaged in military service in Eastern Macedonia, where they were granted extensive estates by Emperor John V Palaiologos.

With great dedication, they undertook the restoration of the monastery on Mount Athos and enriched it with these estates, as well as numerous relics.

Construction of the monastery likely began shortly before 1357 and continued until 1363, coinciding with the consecration of its Katholikon.

Most likely, Patriarch Kallistos, prior to August 1963, conferred upon the Monastery of Pantokratoros the title of "Patriarchal" through a decree, securing its administrative autonomy.

Legend has it that around 1368, Alexios met his demise in battle, leaving Ioannis to continue their shared mission alone.

In 1383, Ioannis retired from his military duties and embraced the monastic life within the confines of the Monastery of Pantokratoros, adopting the name Ioannikios. He passed away between 1386 and 1387.

In 1385, a devastating fire ravaged most of the monastery. However, through the diligent efforts of Patriarch Antonios and Emperor Manuel Palaiologos, it was painstakingly reconstructed.

In 1424, the Ottomans decisively conquered Mount Athos, resulting in a profound economic crisis attributed to heavy taxation and arbitrary rule. Naturally, this crisis also affected the Monastery of Pantokratoros.

During the early 16th century, the monastery experienced a revival, thanks to generous donations from Orthodox rulers of Moldavia. Subsequently, it received support from the Phanariots and Catherine II of Russia.

Amid the 1821 revolution, the Monastery of Pantokratoros, along with other monasteries on Mount Athos, supported the revolutionary cause led by Emmanuel Pappas in Eastern Macedonia.

However, the complex treaty that followed created a precarious situation. This compelled the monastery's monks, along with its precious religious relics, to leave Mount Athos and seek refuge on the islands of Thassos and Skopelos.

The sacred relics were later recovered, thanks to the efforts of Ioannis Kapodistrias, and safely returned to the Monastery of Pantokratoros.

Following the conclusion of the revolution, the monks returned to Mount Athos and, through tremendous dedication and hard work, managed to reconstruct the monastery by the late 19th century.

In 1992, after many years of idiosyncratic governance, abandonment, and decline, the monastery was revitalized.

It underwent a transformation into a coenobitic monastery under the leadership of Patriarch Demetrios and was staffed by monks from the Monastery of Xenophontos.

The first abbot appointed was Archimandrite Vissarion.

The Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior and dates back to approximately 1363, coinciding with the construction of the monastery.

Shortly after the church's completion, it was adorned with frescoes that reflect the influence of the Macedonian School, as well as later works from the era of Manuel Panselinos.

Unfortunately, only a few frescoes from the 14th century have survived; the rest were repainted in 1854 by Matthew Ioannis of Naoussa.

The intricately carved wooden iconostasis within the Katholikon is perhaps the oldest of its kind on Mount Athos, dating back to around 1640.

This sacred space also serves as the final resting place for the founders of the monastery, with their remains lovingly preserved in a marble urn.

Notably, the of Pantokratoros Monastery differs from most Athonite monasteries in that it lacks a Phiale, which is a holy water vessel, due to the limited dimensions of its courtyard.

The refectory of the Holy Monastery of Pantokratoros, constructed in 1741 within the western wing of the monastery, was adorned with frescoes in 1749 by accomplished painters from Ioannina.

Remarkably, the Monastery of Pantokratoros boasts a total of 15 chapels, with the most significant being the Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

This chapel is seamlessly integrated into the Katholikon and features frescoes crafted by a renowned iconographer from the Cretan School.

The repository of Pantokratoros Monastery is housed within the confines of the monastery's tower, adorned with an array of sacred treasures.

These precious items include intricately embroidered sacred vestments, ecclesiastical vessels, encolpia, cross cases containing fragments of the Holy Wood, reliquaries, and more.

Notably among the monastery's cherished relics is a portion of the shield crafted for St. Mercurius in the 14th century, an exquisitely embroidered epitaph, and the Gospel of St. Ioannis the Kalyvite.

Visitors can venerate many Holy Relics here, such as part of St. Cosmas's head and pieces of St. Damianos's head.

A significant portion of the shank of St. John Chrysostom, the great father and teacher of the Eastern Orthodox Church, is also preserved in this repository.

The Icon Repository of Pantokratoros Monastery is located within the monastery's tower and houses an extensive collection of portable icons dating from the 14th to the 19th century.

Among these valuable treasures, considered some of Mount Athos's most significant, is a notable 14th-century double-sided icon featuring John the Baptist and the Theotokos.

Equally remarkable are the icons of Saint George the Faneromenos [Manifested], Christ Pantocrator, the Transfiguration, and the Epitaph Lamentation.

The most cherished possession within Pantokrator Monastery is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, known as the "Gerontissa" [Abbess].

This icon holds a special place among the sacred artifacts of Mount Athos, as it is the only portable icon depicting the Virgin Mary in full prayerful posture.

The name "Gerontissa" originates from the Virgin's compassionate care for a venerable elder abbot of the monastery during his final moments.

The library of Pantokratoros Monastery is located within the monastery's Tower. This location has been home to a bibliographic laboratory since the early years of the monastery's establishment.

In the year 1392, a significant fire ravaged the monastery, resulting in the destruction of the majority of documents within the archive. In response, the monks undertook the task of reissuing various authentication documents to safeguard the monastery's holdings.

Today, the archive comprises 670 Greek documents, 480 Ottoman documents, and a single Romanian document.

The oldest surviving document, dating back to 1039, pertains to the Falakro monydrion. The library of Pantokratoros Monastery houses a collection of rare and significant manuscripts, totaling 478 in number.

Among them, there are 68 parchment manuscripts, 3 scrolls from the 14th century, and 4 bombykes.

One particularly noteworthy manuscript is an exceedingly rare parchment psalter from the iconoclastic era.

The Pantokrator Monastery's collection of printed materials is notably extensive, exceeding 10,000 items. Among these, 675 were published between the years 1481 and 1863.

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Website : www.pantokrator.gr

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