Philotheou Holy Monastery - Mount Athos
In the northeastern part of the Athos Peninsula, nestled within a lush plateau at an elevation of 330 meters above sea level, you will find the renowned Philotheou Monastery.
This venerable establishment stands as one of Mount Athos' oldest and most populous monasteries, neighboring the Karakallou Monastery and the Mylopotamos Seat of the Great Lavra.
Its origins date back to the late 10th century, and since 1574, it has held the 12th position in the hierarchy of the 20 Athonite monasteries.
The Philotheou Monastery celebrates its patronal feast day on March 25th, commemorating the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
Since 1973, it has functioned as a coenobitic institution, overseeing 14 cells, two of which are located in Karyes, with the remainder situated in proximity to the main monastery.
Currently, the abbot of the monastery is Archimandrite Nicodemus, who succeeded the esteemed Elder Ephraim of Arizona.
According to tradition, the Holy Monastery of Philotheou was established prior to the year 972 by the serene hermit Saint Philotheos, a disciple of Saint Athanasios the Athonite.
Initially known as the "Monastery of Fern," likely due to the thriving fern vegetation in the region, the earliest documented reference to the monastery dates back to 1013 when it still retained its former name.
By 1015, in a document authored by Protepistatis Nikephoros, the monastery was officially recorded as the Monastery of Philotheou, a name it bears to this day.
During the 11th century, one of the monastery's earliest benefactors was Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates.
Subsequently, in the ensuing centuries, the Monastery of Philotheou received special attention from the Byzantine emperors of the Palaiologos Dynasty, including Andronikos II, Andronikos III, and John V. Beyond the Byzantine emperors, the monastery benefited from the support of Romanian, Serbian, and Iberian rulers.
In 1346, Serbian ruler Stefan Dušan fortified the Monastery of Philotheou by issuing a chrysobull, permitting the entry of Serbian ascetics into Mount Athos.
This support led to an influx of Serbian monks into the monastery.
Following the fall of Constantinople, the Holy Monastery of Philotheou faced a period of disorganization and desolation.
However, it experienced a resurgence at the start of the 16th century when Saint Dionysios of Olympus, a prominent figure in Turkish-occupied Orthodoxy, assumed leadership. Initially a monk at the nearby Monastery of Karakallou, Saint Dionysios secured donations for the monastery during a trip to Constantinople.
Upon his return, he brought new monks to reinvigorate the monastery. He also implemented coenobitic practices, which sparked strong opposition from Slavic-speaking monks and ultimately led to his departure.
In 1533, the monastery grappled with significant financial difficulties and was compelled to sell the Stavronikita Cell to Bishop Gregory Geromerios, who later transformed it into an independent monastery.
The Holy Monastery of Philotheou engaged in a dispute with the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra over the ownership of the Mylopotamos and Kravatos cells, which were officially ceded to Great Lavra by the end of the 16th century.
In the 18th century, one of the most prominent figures in Orthodox monasticism, Saint Kosmas the Aetolian, who had previously studied at the Athoniada School, resided in the Holy Monastery of Philotheou.
In 1871, a major fire ravaged a substantial portion of the monastery, and in 1900, the Holy Community of Mount Athos supported the restoration efforts to rectify the damage. Since 1906, the Holy Monastery of Philotheou has remained preserved in its current state.
Additionally, branches of the Philotheou Monastery have been established in Canada and the United States, serving as shining beacons of Orthodoxy in these regions.
Today, very little remains visible of the early Byzantine structures at Philotheou Monastery.
The monastery's facilities date back to the 16th, 18th, and 19th centuries, which is a common pattern among most monastic establishments on Mount Athos.
The original central church, known as the Katholikon, was built in a royal style and adorned with Cretan artistic elements, and it predates the mid-16th century.
However, it was replaced in 1746 by a new Katholikon dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, and this newer Katholikon still stands today.
It was decorated with frescoes in two phases, one in 1752 and the other in 1765, partly thanks to financial support from the rulers of Moldovlachia, Konstantinos Mavrokordatos and Gregorios Gikas.
The refectory of Philotheou Monastery, a simple rectangular building constructed in 1540, features frescoes from the 16th century, which are attributed to the hagiographer Tzortzis.
Unfortunately, these frescoes did not withstand the test of time, largely due to a fire in 1871.
The Phiale, where the monks bless the holy water, is located between the Katholikon and the refectory. It is crafted from white marble and boasts intricate sculptural detailing, with frescoes from the 18th century adorning its dome.
Philotheou Monastery is home to a total of nine chapels, with three situated outside the monastery grounds.
Of the remaining six, two can be found within the cathedral: the chapels of the Archangels and the Nativity of John the Baptist. Lastly, the spire houses the chapel of Saint Marina.
Within the revered walls of the Holy Monastery of Philotheou, a treasury of sacred relics is meticulously preserved.
Among these precious items are a Cross crafted from venerable wood, sacred vestments, consecrated vessels, reliquaries, and more. In times past, the monastery safeguarded an invaluable Orthodox treasure: a nail believed to have been used during the Crucifixion of our Lord.
This sacred relic was originally dedicated to the Monastery of Philotheou by Nikiforos III Botaneiates. However, it miraculously found its way to the Holy Monastery of Archangel Michael in Thassos, which is a dependency of Philotheou Monastery.
Visitors to this sanctuary have the privilege of venerating the holy relics of numerous saints. One remarkable example is Saint Marina, to whom a dedicated chapel is consecrated.
Among the most esteemed relics housed here is the incorruptible right hand of Saint John Chrysostom, the eminent father and educator of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
This precious relic, accompanied by a gold-plated reliquary, was generously donated to the monastery by Andronikos II Palaiologos.
It's worth noting that Holy Relics of Saint John Chrysostom are also found in other monasteries on Mount Athos, including the Monastery of Vatopedi and the Monastery of Pantokratoros.
The Holy Monastery of Philotheou boasts two iconic treasures: Our Lady "Glykophilousa" (Sweet Kisser) and Our Lady "Gherontissa" (Abbess).
The "Glykophilousa" Virgin Mary resides in the left alcove of the monastery's main sanctuary, presented as a two-faced icon with the Crucifixion artfully depicted on its reverse side.
In adherence to tradition, during the turbulent era of iconoclasm, the spouse of the Byzantine patrician Simeon cast the precious icon into the sea to safeguard it from the fervor of the iconoclasts.
In a remarkable twist of fate, the icon miraculously drifted to the eastern shores of Mount Athos from Constantinople, where it was fortuitously discovered by the monastery's abbot.
At the very site of its discovery, holy waters sprang forth, performing numerous miraculous healings, curing ailments, and even addressing infertility.
Legend holds that the "Glykophilousa" Virgin Mary is one of the 70 masterpieces attributed to the Evangelist Luke.
Within the sacred archives of Philotheou Monastery's library, an impressive collection of approximately 400 manuscripts is safely kept. Among these, 54 are meticulously scribed on parchment, while an additional two date back to the 14th century in the form of scrolls.
Moreover, 18 manuscripts are adorned with musical notation. Among these sacred writings, a significant gem emerges: a 10th-century illustrated tetraevangelos, ranking among the most venerable treasures of Mount Athos.
In the monastery's archival repository, a multitude of documents chronicle matters such as transfers, inventories, generous endowments, and more.
Noteworthy among them are documents such as the sale of a monastic holding to the Great Lavra and the chrysobull of Andronikos II, which solemnly bequeaths the right hand of John Chrysostom.
The library of Philotheou Monastery also houses thousands of printed books, including many in Romanian and Russian, contributing to the rich tapestry of its cultural heritage.
