Saint Panteleimon Skete

Spiritual Devotion to the Skete of Agios Panteleimon

The Holy Skete of Saint Panteleimon is one of the 12 sketes of Mount Athos. It is located on the road between the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou and the Holy Monastery of Iviron, about 20 minutes on foot from the main Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou.

History

The Skete was founded by Hieromonk Charalambos before 1785. On the site of the Skete there was formerly a cell of Saint Panteleimon and two kalyvas belonging to the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou. In 1790, the katholikon of the Skete was built, which was painted in 1866.

Katholikon - Main Church

The katholikon of the Skete is dedicated to Saint Panteleimon. It is a small, single-nave church with a dome. The icons in the iconostasis are from the 18th century.

The Skete also has 23 kalyvas, of which three do not have an integrated church. 14 kalyvas are inhabited while the remaining 9 are deserted.

The library of the Skete has about 40 manuscripts and more than 500 valuable books from old editions. It also houses pieces of holy relics and 200 icons.

Relics

The Skete has the following holy relics: the hand of Saint Timothy, a relic of Saint Panteleimon, Saint Panagiotis of Caesarea the New, Saint Parthenius, Saint Paraskevi, Saint Nilus of Athonite, Saint Tryphon, the Apostle Arethas, Saint Cyricus, Saint Eustathius, Saint James the Persian, Saint Great Martyr Mercury, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Hieromartyr Charalambos, Saint Matrona, Saint Apostle James, etc.

15 minutes from the Skete, to the right of the road leading to Kaliagra, there is a place called "Paliokastro" with many ruins, most likely of the ancient city of Kleonai. Larnaxes, coins and a small statuette of Aphrodite have been found. The Old Castle served as a guard for the city and a refuge for the inhabitants in case of raids.

Monastic community

The Skete of Saint Panteleimon is a small community of monks who live dedicated to prayer and asceticism. The monks are engaged in agriculture, the manufacture of handicrafts and rosaries, as well as the writing of books.

Hieromartyr Gerasimos the New

Hieromartyr Gerasimos the New lived in a kalyva of the Skete at the beginning of the 19th century. Gerasimos, who came from Athens, asceticized in the Skete for 10 years. In 1818 he was arrested by the Turks and martyred in Thessaloniki.

The Holy Skete of Saint Panteleimon is an important monastic settlement on Mount Athos. The Skete has a rich history and tradition, as well as significant relics and holy relics.