Konstamonitou Holy Monastery - Mount Athos
Taking the ferry from Ouranoupoli headed towards Dafni port, the third arsana we encounter is that of the Holy Monastery of Constamonitou.
The road leading to the monastery is a steep ascent, winding through olive groves and chestnut trees, a journey of approximately an hour.
After this arduous trek, the monastery unfolds before the visitor, enveloped in lush greenery.
Nestled on a verdant slope, at the heart of the Athonite peninsula, it shares its borders with the Monastery of Zografou and the Monastery of Docheiariou.
The Monastery of Constamonitou stands out as one of the few monastic sanctuaries on Mount Athos located inland, distant from the coastline, and not easily accessible from other monasteries.
Celebrating its patronal feast on December 27th in honor of the First Martyr Stephen, it holds the hierarchical rank of 20th among the monasteries of Mount Athos, following the Monastery of St. Panteleimon.
Operating under the coenobitic living system since 1800, its current abbot, since 2018, is Archimandrite Charalambos.
According to the earliest written records, the establishment of the Sacred Monastery of Constamonitou can be traced back to the mid-11th century.
The first documented reference appears in a record from 1097, co-signed by the then-abbot of the monastery, Ilarion.
In earlier documents, the monastery is referred to as "Kastamonitou," while from the 14th century onward, the name "Constamonitou" becomes prevalent.
These two distinct name variations yield two different accounts of the monastery's founder.
According to the older name rendition, the founder is believed to have been a monk named Kastamonitis, a name common in Byzantium during that era, or someone hailing from Kastamonu in Paphlagonia, Asia Minor.
In another tradition, based on the second name rendering, the monastery is said to have been founded by Emperor Constantine the Great, who constructed a small temple on the site where the monastery stands today.
This chapel was later completed by his son, Constans, hence the name "Constans’ Monastery." However, it's important to note that these are largely conjectures since the majority of the monastery's old archives have been lost to time.
As a result, historical insights are only attainable through references found in documents from other monasteries on Mount Athos.
The historical journey of the Monastery of Constamonitou shares many common elements with the histories of other monasteries on Mount Athos, marked by numerous trials and calamities. Yet, with the guidance of the Virgin Mary and the patron saint of the monastery, Saint Stephen, it consistently managed to recover.
Towards the end of the 13th century, Catalan mercenaries in the service of the Unionist Patriarch John Bekkos, along with troops led by Michael VIII Palaiologos, set the monastery ablaze. Their aim was to compel the submission of the Orthodox Church to the authority of the Pope.
Nonetheless, the Monastery of Constamonitou would rise from the ashes once more, thanks to the contributions of Emperor Andronicus II Palaiologos and Princess Anna of Serbia, known for her philanthropy.
Following a devastating fire, the monastery was further fortified by Manuel Palaiologos and the Serbian leader George Vranković. In the 3rd Typikon of Mount Athos, at the close of the 14th century, the Holy Monastery of Constamonitou held the 16th position among the 25 Athonite monasteries of that era.
Another notable benefactor in the 15th century was the Serbian commander-in-chief Radić.
After retiring from the military, he became a monk at the monastery, adopting the name Romanos, and generously bestowed his possessions upon the institution.
The monastery continued to flourish until the fall of Constantinople. However, the era of Turkish rule brought new challenges to the monastery and the entire Mount Athos region.
The oppressive Turkish taxation compelled the Monastery of Constamonitou to seek financial aid from Jewish sources, leading it to the brink of insolvency and a state of decline.
Another notable figure in this chapter of history is the French consul Ant. Armand, who, around 1705, rescued the monastery from exploitation and the pressures imposed by the heirs of a Jewish moneylender.
A pivotal moment in the monastery's history occurred in 1818 when a significant reconstruction effort commenced under the leadership of Abbot Chrysanthos.
Chrysanthos received substantial assistance from Kyra Vassiliki, the Christian wife of Ali Pasha of Ioannina, whose generous contributions facilitated the extensive restoration of the monastery between 1819 and 1820.
The Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Constamonitou is one of the more recent additions to Mount Athos, and it is dedicated to Saint Protomartyr Stephen.
This impressive structure was built in 1867 under the guidance of Abbot Simeon Stagiritis, making it the fourth Katholikon constructed on the same site, upon the foundations of its predecessors.
This Athonite-style temple stands prominently at the center of the courtyard, boasting eight domes with lead roofs, with the central one being the most prominent.
Although the interior of the Katholikon lacks frescoes, except for a modest section of the central dome, this void is beautifully filled with an array of portable icons, some of which hold significant devotional and historical value.
Directly across from the entrance to the Katholikon stands the Refectory of the Constamonitou Monastery, occupying the location of a previous structure whose frescoes did not withstand the test of time.
Erected in 1871, this building features an understated architectural style and a roof adorned with wooden embellishments.
Unlike most monasteries on Mount Athos, the Monastery of Constamonitou does not have a holy water font, Phiale.
As for the chapels of the monastery, there are a total of nine, with four situated within the courtyard and the remaining five located outside its confines.
In the sacred vault of the Holy Monastery of Constamonitou, a wealth of relics and treasures is carefully preserved.
These include sacred vestments, intricately crafted golden and silver seals, and a diverse array of precious objects used in religious worship.
Among these revered relics, one can find a Byzantine cross of exceptional artistry adorned with a piece of the Holy Cross.
Additionally, an antique embroidered Epitaph, one of the rare specimens from Mount Athos, holds a special place among these treasures.
In the year 1820, a silver-gilt gospel, a masterpiece meticulously crafted in Epirus, was generously donated to the monastery by Kyra Vassiliki, the wife of Ali Pasha.
During the Apodeipnon (Evensong service), pilgrims have the privilege of venerating the holy relics of numerous saints, all housed within magnificent reliquaries.
These include the right hand of the monastery's patron saint and protector, Saint Protomartyr Archdeacon Stephen.
Furthermore, there are esteemed relics of many other revered saints, such as Panteleimon, Cosmas and Damianos, Constantine, the Apostle Andrew, and many more.
The sacred Monastery of Constamonitou houses a treasure trove of exquisite portable icons spanning various epochs, and at its heart stands the Katholikon itself.
Among these sacred images, one of profound significance is the miraculous icon of the monastery's patron saint, Saint Protomartyr Stephen.
According to venerable tradition, this icon arrived at the monastery in a wondrous fashion from Jerusalem, bearing visible vestiges of the iconoclastic controversies of yore.
Another remarkable piece gracing the collection is the icon of the Virgin Mary known as the "Odigitria" [Leading], generously bestowed upon the monastery by the Serbian Princess Anna the Philanthropist, circa 1360.
Equally noteworthy is the icon of the Virgin Mary referred to as the "Antiphonitria" [Responder], of which the original rendition adorns the frescoes of Vatopedi Monastery.
This particular image of Theotokos, known as the "Odigitria," is intricately linked to a miraculous event that transpired within the hallowed walls of Constamonitou Monastery in the year 1020.
On the eve of the grand commemoration marking the retrieval of the relics of the monastery's patron saint, Saint Protomartyr Stephen, a miraculous occurrence unfolded, wherein the previously empty monastery jar was inexplicably replenished with oil.
The repository of Constamonitou Monastery's literary treasures was initially housed above the narthex of the Katholikon, aligning with the ancient traditions of Mount Athos. However, the present-day library finds its abode beneath the hallowed precincts of the abbey.
Within its archives, one can find a collection of 111 handwritten manuscripts, including 14 parchment codices.
Among these, a particularly intriguing palimpsest codex emerges—a 14th-century Gospel bearing an underlying 12th-century text replete with hagiographical accounts of saints.
Additionally, the monastery's archive finds its sanctuary here, encompassing a wealth of historical documents such as chrysobula and patriarchal sigillia.
A plethora of photographs relating to the monastery's records also grace the collection, with the originals preserved in the libraries of fellow Athonite monastic institutions.
The printed book collection, boasting approximately a hundred antiquarian volumes, further enriches the literary holdings.
Notably, Thomas Papadopoulos identified the earliest Greek edition within the Constamonitou Monastery, a Pentecostarion dating back to 1552, as documented in his esteemed work, "Libraries of Mount Athos."
