Monasteries of Mount Athos

The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Pantokrator Monastery is one of the twenty monasteries of Mount Athos and it ranks seventh (7th) in the hierarchy of the Athonite monasteries. 

The monastery is built by the sea, on the northeast side of Mount Athos and it is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Saviour. It was founded in the middle of the 14th century by the Byzantine officials and brothers, Alexius the grand stratopedarch and John the grand primicerius. Their tombs are located in the lite of the katholikon. The emperors of Byzantium, mainly John V Palaiologos and Manuel II Palaiologos, contributed to the establishment and the enhancement of the monastery. At the end of the 14th century, it was set on fire and destroyed. However, it was quickly reestablished and the initial surface area of the Monastery was doubled. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the monastery was financially supported by the rulers of the Danubian Principalities.

The monastery was afflicted by fire in 1393, in 1773 and in 1948, fortunately without ever being entirely destroyed.

The katholikon of the monastery is of the Athonite type with frescoes of the second half of the 14th century, which were painted in 1854. The new refectory, due to lack of space, is located on the upper floor of the west wing of the monastery. In fact, it faces south and not east, as is usual. It was built in 1741.

The Pantokrator monastery has eight chapels within its monastic complex and seven outside. The one dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary called “Axion Esti” stands out. It is located in the lite, with frescoes dating back to the early 15th century, handpainted by Galatsian painters in 1868. In the past, the namesake icon was kept there, which can now be found in the temple of the Protaton. Another noteworthy cell of the monastery is the so-called “Cell of Ravdouchos” (located in Karyes), possibly of the 10th century.

The Skete of Prophet Elijah also belongs to the monastery, at a distance of half an hour to the west. In the region of Kapsala, there are fifty huts belonging to the Pantokrator monastery in the homonymous ascetic settlement.

The monastery holds a large collection of portable icons, ecclesiastical vessels and relics. The holy sacristy, with the remarkable 14th century icons, is housed in its tower, which is located on the western side of the enclosure and dates back to the period of establishment of the monastery. Other significant heirlooms are the gold-embroidered epitaph (14th century) and a fragment of an enameled copper shield of St. Mercurius.

Panagia Gerontissa (the Elderess), which dates back to the 14th century, is the venerated icon of the monastery. This particular icon is the only portable icon that depicts the Virgin Mary in full stature, in a prayer position.

350 manuscript codices and over 3.500 printed books are kept in the library. Greek and Ottoman documents are also preserved.

Bitzikopoulos Dimitris