According to a lot of people, it is the oldest Monastery of Greece and one of the most impressive Christian Orthodox pilgrimages. It is 10kms out of the town of Kalavrita. It took its name (Spileo = cave) from the cave where the icon of Virgin Mary was found. The history of the Monastery The Monastery of Mega … Read More
HOLY MONASTERY OF STROFADES AND SAINT DIONYSIUS – ZAKINTHOS (ZANTE)
The monastery of Strofades, this impressive castle – monastery that is a place of martyrdom, lies on the small islands that have the same name (40 miles away from Zante) and it is dedicated to the Metamorphosis of the Saviour Jesus Christ. It was founded in the 13th century by Emperor Theodoros Laskaris. The complex has the form of … Read More
MONASTERIES OF MYSTRAS – PELOPONNESE
Mystras, located near Sparta in Peloponnese, constituted the steep fortress that Mount Taygetos offered to the last defenders of the more-than-thousand-year Byzantine Empire. Seven brilliant examples of ecclesiastical architecture and Byzantine art are saved today in the citadel, which is accessible to visitors. Saint Demetrios Cathedral Near the entry of the archaeological site lies Saint Demetrio, the cathedral of … Read More
MONASTERY OF PANAGIA ANAFONITRIA OF ZAKINTHOS (ZANTE)
The Monastery of Panagia Anafonitria is built in a huge pine forest at northwest Zante. It is a pilgrimage where thousands of people come every year for two reasons. The first one is the icon of Theotokos (Virgin Mary) that came miraculously from Constantinopolis. The second reason is that the Monastery is connected to the life of the patron … Read More
SAINT PATAPIOS MONASTERY– LOUTRAKI, CORINTH
At a location of breathtaking view, on a steep slope of Gerania Mountains, above Loutraki and near Corinth lies Saint Patapios monastery. The monastery is established in a building complex, which constitutes an extension of the ancient hermitage of the 12th century. The monastery was founded in 1952 and extended around the hermitage through labors and sacrifices by Fr. … Read More
MONASTERY OF PROFITIS ILIAS – SANTORINI
The Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of Profitis Ilias is situated on the top of the mountain “Profitis Ilias”. It is 567m high and it has a wonderful view of the island of Santorini. It is also 3kms away from Pirgos of Thira. It was founded in 1711 by the brothers Gavriil and Ioakim who were priest – monks and chaplains in … Read More
SAINT GERASIMOS MONASTERY – CEPHALONIA ISLAND
In 1560, Saint Gerasimos arrived in Omala, Cephalonia, where he restored the chapel of the Assumption of Theotokos, while at the same time he founded a coenobitic monastery with a numerous brotherhood, which he named “New Jerusalem”. On October 20, 1582, the second exhumation of the saint’s holy relics took place, which thenceforth remains incorruptible and fragrant to be venerated and … Read More
MONASTERY OF AGIA LAVRA- KALAVRITA
It is the well-known historic Monastery that is situated near Kalavrita of Peloponnese. There, on 18th March 1821, Bishop Paleon Patron Germanos Kotzas raised the flag of the Greek Revolution accompanied with rebels from Kalavrita. The Monastery was built in 961 AD by a hermit of the Monastery of Megisti Lavra of Mount Athos and, in the … Read More
VLATADON MONASTERY – THESSALONIKI
The Patriarchal Vlatadon Monastery, which is located at Ano Poli (North City) of Thessaloniki, is the chief Byzantine Monastery of the city. It is still in use and it offers the visitor a spectacular view of Thermaikos bay in Thessaloniki. Today, the Monastery is famous for the Patriarchal Institution of Studies that pertain to the fathers of the Church. This … Read More
MONASTERY OF PANAGIA MOLIVDOSKEPASTI OF KONITSA (EPIRUS)
The new basilica and stavropegic Monastery of Theotokos (Virgin Mary) Molivdoskepastos of Konitsa is 17kms away from Konitsa and just 300m away from the Greek – Albanian borders, in a verdant region, in the confluence of two rivers. It was built by the byzantine Emperor, Constantinos IV Pogonatos (668 – 685) and it is one of … Read More