Skete of Saint Andrew
From the earliest days of Athonite Monasticism, Karyai stood as a focal point for ascetic pursuits. It's within this area, now home to our Skete, that Saint Athanasios the Athonite initially established his monastic dwelling on Athos. Historical records from the 10th to the 15th centuries mention a Monastery known variably as "Xystre" or "Xestou" in this vicinity. However, the region's history takes a more defined shape with the arrival of the esteemed Athanasios Pattelaros.
Athanasios, born in the 16th century in Crete during the turbulent era of Turkish rule, rose to become the Patriarch of Constantinople. His tenure was brief, leading him to retire to Athos. Discovering a Monastic house dedicated to St. Anthony the Great, he diligently renovated and refurbished it.
Later departing for Ukraine, Athanasios spent his final days in a Monastery there. Upon the discovery of his incorrupt relics, he was swiftly canonized by the Orthodox Church. His Athonite Monastic dwelling laid the foundation for our Skete, honoring the memories of both Saint Anthony and Patriarch Athanasios, alongside the addition of the festival of Saint Andrew.
The spiritual connection between the region and Constantinople deepened further with the arrival of another retired Patriarch, Serapheim II. He demolished the old structure and erected a new one in honor of Saint Anthony and the Apostle Andrew. The transformation was significant, mirroring the Great Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom in Constantinople. This Church, dedicated to the Apostolic founder of the Church of Constantinople, remains intact opposite the main Church of Saint Andrew.
In 1841, the House was bestowed upon two Russian Monks, Bessarion and Barsanouphios, by the ruling Monastery of Vatopaidion. Elevated to the status of a "Skete" in 1849 by Patriarch Anthimos VI, the community flourished in numbers, prompting the construction of sizable buildings. The monumental Church of Saint Andrew was initiated in 1867 and consecrated in 1900 by retired Patriarch Joakeim III, preserving the forehead of Saint Andrew, emitting a sweet fragrance, as a cherished relic.
By the early 20th century, the Skete had expanded significantly. Yet, its prosperity was short-lived. The onset of World War I and the subsequent Russian revolution led to dire consequences. The effects of conscription and restricted access for potential Monks from the Soviet Union resulted in a rapid decline. In 1958, fire ravaged the Skete's western wing and library, and by 1971, the last remaining member of the old Community, Monk Sampson, passed away.
After two decades of desolation, a new Greek-speaking brotherhood revived the Skete in 1992. In 2001, the arrival of several young Monks, under the leadership of the new Prior Archimandrite Ephraim, heralded a promising and rejuvenated future for the Skete.
