Skete of Little Saint Anne

Little Saint Anna, also known as Mikragianna, is a skete of Mount Athos located between Agia Anna and Katounakia. It consists of ten "kalives", meaning ascetic cells, of which two do not have a church.
The history of Little Saint Anna begins in the 16th century with the settlement of its first known inhabitants and ascetics, Saints Dionysius the Rhetor and Metrophanes.

These two saints, coming from a metochi of the Studium Monastery in Constantinople, seeking a desert and secluded place, arrived at Little Saint Anna, after first passing through Karyes and Agia Anna, which was then called the Skete of the Laura.

Saint Dionysius, an educated and spiritual man, became a magnet for many people, whom he helped, supported, and encouraged. He was also an excellent calligrapher and writer.

Saint Metrophanes, a disciple of Saint Dionysius, distinguished himself as a subdeacon and then as a spiritual father in the villages of Halkidiki.

The memory of these two holy fathers is honored on July 9 with a celebration in their cave church, where there was also a church in the past together with their cell.

Over the centuries, other important figures have also asceticized in Little Saint Anna, such as the spiritual fathers papa-Gregory, papa-Savas, papa-Cosmas, hegumen Daniel, and others.

The most famous monk who lived in Little Saint Anna was Saint Gerasim of Mikragiannanitis, who lived there from 1805 to 1866. Saint Gerasim was a charismatic hymnographer, also known as the "nightingale of the Church". He wrote a multitude of hymns, which are included in the hymnal of the Orthodox Church.

Saint Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis was born in Athens in 1763. From a young age, he showed a tendency towards monastic life. In 1805, at the age of 42, he left Athens and went to Little Saint Anna. There he became a subdeacon of Saint Joseph the Hesychast, who helped him to cultivate his spiritual life.

Was a strict monk who followed a strict ascetic life. He lived in a small hut, where he asceticized severely. He was also a spiritual man, who exercised the gift of teaching and counsel.

Saint Gerasimos  died on December 31, 1866, at the age of 103. His memory is honored on January 2.

Today, there are about 20 monks in Little Saint Anna. The skete is known for its peacefulness and spirituality. The monks of Little Saint Anna follow the typikon of Mount Athos and devote themselves to prayer, asceticism, and study.

The Brotherhood of the Skete of Little Saint Anna is active in various fields, such as handicrafts, carpentry, chanting, and the preparation of Mount Athos  incense and perfumes.