New Skete
The New Skete, or Skete of the Tower, as it was called until the early 19th century, is located between the Monastery of St. Paul and the Skete of St. Anne, in a beautiful location near the sea.
The area has been inhabited since early times, as evidenced by the ancient tower from which it takes its name. Around the 10th century, the Skete was located higher up, towards the side of St. Anne, and its katholikon was in the place of the present Kalyva of the Holy Unmercenaries. At that time the Skete was called "of Benedict" or "of the Cross". In the second half of the 11th century, the Skete was moved closer to the sea and its katholikon was built where the Kalyva of the Presentation of the Lord is now located.
The climate of the area is mild in winter and cool in summer. The New Skete is the most well-kept monastic community on Mount Athos, which is why it was a hospitable place for learned bishops. Each courtyard is an orange grove, except for that of the katholikon, which is adorned with cypresses, willows, and eucalyptus trees. Its small sandy beach is sheltered and very clean.
The New Skete is known for the virtuous monks who have asceticised there, including many spiritual fathers who belonged to the revivalist movement of the Kollyvades.
The Katholikon of the Skete - Main Church
The present katholikon of the Skete, dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos, was begun in 1730 and completed in 1757. It is a rather dark church with a narthex and exonarthex. Its frescoes are not particularly successful. The lita was built in the early 19th century, while the narthex was built at the end of the same century.
The Holy Table is carved in wood, and is impressively crafted. In 1901, the Chapel of St. Constantine was built in the katholikon, which is considered the tomb of three bishops who asceticised here: Theophani of Laconia, Bessarion of Rapsana, and Gerasim of Aleppo.
The Library of the Katholikon
The library of the katholikon houses about 200 manuscripts and about 500 printed books. The manuscripts are mostly copies from the last century. The relics treasury contains icons, vestments, crosses, enkolpia, staves, and pieces of various precious relics.
Other elements of the New Skete
The New Skete is dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos, a feast celebrated on September 8th.
The Skete is known for its iconography, with important iconographic schools such as those of the Cyrillaioi, the Abramaioi, the Spyridonaioi, the Monk Nikon, and the Hieromonk Prodromos.
The monks of the Skete are engaged in the cultivation of citrus fruits, mainly oranges, lemons, and mandarins.
The New Skete, or Skete of the Tower, as it was called until the early 19th century, is located between the Monastery of St. Paul and the Skete of St. Anne, in a beautiful location near the sea.
The area has been inhabited since early times, as evidenced by the ancient tower from which it takes its name. Around the 10th century, the Skete was located higher up, towards the side of St. Anne, and its katholikon was in the place of the present Kalyva of the Holy Unmercenaries.
At that time the Skete was called "of Benedict" or "of the Cross". In the second half of the 11th century, the Skete was moved closer to the sea and its katholikon was built where the Kalyva of the Presentation of the Lord is now located.
The climate of the area is mild in winter and cool in summer. The New Skete is the most well-kept monastic community on Mount Athos, which is why it was a hospitable place for learned bishops. Each courtyard is an orange grove, except for that of the katholikon, which is adorned with cypresses, willows, and eucalyptus trees. Its small sandy beach is sheltered and very clean.
The New Skete is known for the virtuous monks who have asceticised there, including many spiritual fathers who belonged to the revivalist movement of the Kollyvades.
The Katholikon of the Skete - Main Church
The present katholikon of the Skete, dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos, was begun in 1730 and completed in 1757. It is a rather dark church with a narthex and exonarthex. Its frescoes are not particularly successful. The lita was built in the early 19th century, while the narthex was built at the end of the same century.
The Holy Table is carved in wood, and is impressively crafted. In 1901, the Chapel of St. Constantine was built in the katholikon, which is considered the tomb of three bishops who asceticised here: Theophani of Laconia, Bessarion of Rapsana, and Gerasim of Aleppo.
The Library of the Katholikon
The library of the katholikon houses about 200 manuscripts and about 500 printed books. The manuscripts are mostly copies from the last century. The relics treasury contains icons, vestments, crosses, enkolpia, staves, and pieces of various precious relics.
Other elements of the New Skete
The New Skete is dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos, a feast celebrated on September 8th.
The Skete is known for its iconography, with important iconographic schools such as those of the Cyrillaioi, the Abramaioi, the Spyridonaioi, the Monk Nikon, and the Hieromonk Prodromos.
The monks of the Skete are engaged in the cultivation of citrus fruits, mainly oranges, lemons, and mandarins.
