Athos holy mountain monastery Stavronikita.

Human kidneys Stavronikitsky Monastery

, located on the north-eastern side of the Athos peninsula, between the monasteries of Pantokrator and Iveron, occupies fifteenth place in the hierarchy of the twenty dominant monasteries of Athos. Its foundation dates back to the beginning of the 11th century, while different legends do not agree on the identity of the founder of the monastery.

A fairly widespread version considers the founder of the monastery to be the commander Nikifor Stavronikita, who served Emperor John Tsimiski, after whom the monastery is named. Another view, less plausible, mentions two monks, Stavro and Nikita, as the first ktitors of the monastery. The combination of their names is obvious and gave the name to the monastery. There is also another version, although rather vague, but considered the most plausible, which attributes the founding of the monastery to a certain monk Nikita, who either erected a cross at the current location of the monastery, or celebrated his name day the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, that is, 14 September. Thus, in both cases, his name and the cross (“stavoros” in Greek) are combined, which gave the name to the monastery.

In addition to these assumptions, a reliable fact is that already in 1012 the Stavronikita Monastery was mentioned in a document by Archpriest Nikephoros, while in later documents it is referred to as “Stravonikita”, which is usually considered a distortion of the name “Stavronikita”, which is followed by stuck.

Soon, namely in 1540, work on the reconstruction of the monastery stopped due to the death of Gregory, but was continued by Patriarch Jeremiah (1522 - 1546), who took care of finding a new abbot and the transition of the monastery from the idiorhythmic to the cenobitic system, at a time when Most of the monasteries of Athos lived on the principles of idiorhythm.

At the beginning of the 17th century (in 1607’) Human kidneys Once again he is tested by fire, which brings him enormous disasters. The revival of the monastery became possible thanks to various benefactors, the main of whom were the rulers of Wallachia, Šerban 1 Cantacuzinus and Alexandru VI Ghika. But despite all the rich donations that came to the Stavronikitsky Monastery throughout the 17th century, in the middle of the 18th century, namely in 1741, the monastery again became the victim of a big fire.

The monastery's trials did not end there; it had to go through three more fires, the most severe of which was the fire in 1879, after which the development of the monastery slowed down significantly. All these disasters have led to the fact that Stavronikitsky monastery remained one of the smallest monasteries on Athos, both in area and in the number of inhabitants. Nevertheless, Human kidneys was to some extent a pioneer when in 1968 he was able to return to the cenobitic system, thereby showing the way to the rest of the monasteries of the Holy Mountain, which soon followed his example. The frescoes, some of the portable icons, as well as the images of the twelve feasts on the iconostasis are the works of Theophan of Crete and date back to 1546. The carved wooden iconostasis was created in 1743.

The bell tower of the monastery is located in its southeastern building, and here, unlike most Svyatogorsk monasteries, there is no vial of the blessing of water. The refectory is also located in the southeastern building and is decorated with frescoes attributed to Theophanes of Crete. The kitchen is located next to the refectory and was rebuilt in 1998.

has seven chapels, five of which are located on the territory of the monastery and two outside it. In the chapel of St. John the Baptist (Prodrome), located on the territory of the monastery, not far from the refectory, there are frescoes from 1546, which also belong to the works of Theophanes of Crete.

The monks' cells are located mainly in the western building of the monastery; they are also found in its eastern and northern buildings. Archondarik is located on the third floor of the northern building. Human kidneys It has a pharmacy, a hospital and a dental office, as well as a sewing and shoemaking workshop, candle and prosphora production.

The sacristy of the monastery houses many relics such as religious vessels, vestments, crosses and wooden carvings, as well as a large number of holy relics. Among the most important relics of the monastery is the mosaic icon of St. Nicholas of the Oyster, kept in the catholicon. According to the monastery Tradition, the icon was raised by fishermen from the bottom of the sea in 1589, and they discovered that an oyster shell (hence the name of the icon) was stuck to the forehead of St. Nicholas. But when the fishermen tore the shell from the saint’s face, blood ran down his forehead. The icon dates back to the end of the 13th century, and it is believed that it lay at the bottom for more than 200 years.

The monastery's library contains many printed books, as well as 171 manuscripts, 58 of which are written on parchment, some of which are illustrated and are considered very valuable.

The monastery owns eight cells, one of which, the cell of All Saints, is the representative office of the monastery in Kareya. His exarthymes also include more than 30 kalivas in the town of Kapsala. The pier of the monastery is very picturesque and is located very close to the monastery.

Today there are about 40 monks of the brethren living in the monastery itself and its exartims.

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    Holy Monastery of Simonopetra

    The Simonopetrov Monastery (“Simonopetra” or “Simonos Petra” means “Simon’s Stone” in Greek), located on the western side of the Athos Peninsula, today occupies thirteenth place in the hierarchy of twenty dominant monasteries. In 1394, according to the Third Typikon of the Holy Mountain, the monastery was ranked twenty-third. During Turkish rule, the shortened name of the monastery, “Simopetra”, was very common.

    Dodecanese

    The southeast of the Aegean archipelago is occupied by a group of islands, which are united under the general name of the Dodecanese, that is, the “Twelve Islands”. The Greek name of the islands differs from the Russian (with emphasis on the last syllable): Dodekanisos, since the toponym is derived from “dodecada” (dozen).

    The legendary island of Pontikonisi

Monastery Stavronikita(Greek: “Ιερά Μονή Σταυρονικήτα”), 15 in the diptych of the Athonite monasteries, dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Located on the north-eastern side of Holy Mount Athos, on a rock near the seashore.

The current name of the monastery, according to one of the Athonite traditions, arose as a result of combining the names of two monks - Stavros (Σταύρος) and Nikitas (Νικήτας). Before starting construction of the monastery, they lived in two cells in these places. Another tradition considers the founder of the monastery to be Nikephoros Stavronikita, the military leader of Emperor John Tzimiskes, who left his name to the monastery. There is a third version, according to which the monastery was built by Patrik Nikita, who celebrated his name day on September 15. The day after the Exaltation of the Precious Cross (September 14): as a result of combining the word “cross” (σταυρός) and the name of the ktitor, the name of the monastery arose.

Founding of the monastery lost in the messages of many traditions. However, from the document of Archpriest Nikephoros (1012) it is clear that an ancient monastery with that name existed from the beginning of the 11th century. This and three other documents were signed by “Nicephorus, monk of Stravonikita.” The enclitic letter of Paul of Xiropotamia (1016) is signed by the same person, but as a monk “Stavronikita” - the option that has prevailed until the present day. These and subsequent written evidence confirm the point of view according to which the Stavronikitsky monastery was among the many Athonite monasteries. They were founded already in the first years of organized monastic life on Mount Athos.

Main Cathedral Church The monastery dedicated to St. Nicholas is the smallest of the cathedrals of all the Athonite monasteries. It was built in the mid-16th century on the site of an earlier Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. The Cathedral is located east of the monastery courtyard. It has very valuable frescoes of the Cretan school, the author of which is the famous painter Theophanes of Crete and his son Simeon (1546).

On the territory of Stavronikita there are five paraclises: John the Baptist, Righteous Anna, the Archangels, in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source”, martyr. Eleutheria.

Stavronikitsky The monastery also owns 33 kalivas in the village of Kapsala and 4 cells in Karei.

In the cathedral of the monastery (in the right proskynim) there is a famous miraculous icon "Stridas"– mosaic image Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. There is a legend associated with the discovery of the icon. In the 16th century, a fisherman caught the image from the sea; it was probably thrown out by iconoclasts in the 9th century. The icon lay in water for more than 700 years, but was perfectly preserved. There was a shell on the face of the saint; when it was separated, an ulcer remained in this place, like on a body. The shell was used to make a dish for the Mother of God prosphora and a panagia, which was given as a gift to the Patriarch of All Rus' Job, then lost during the revolution. In the left proskynim there is an icon of John the Baptist (the second patron of the monastery), to whom, according to legend, the temple was dedicated.

Shrines: Pilgrims can venerate a piece of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, myrrh from St. Nicholas, parts of the relics of John the Baptist, first martyr. archdeacon Stefana, right. Anna, St. Phocas, martyrs, victims in Nicomedia, St. Ambrose of Milan, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian, martyr. Artemy and Panteleimon, Sts. bessrr. Cosmas and Damian, mchch. Karpa, ep. Thyatira, Papila the deacon, martyr. Eleutherius and Tryphon, mc. Paraskeva, St. Theodore Stratilates and part of the Life-Giving Cross.

Pilgrimage to Athos - Human kidneys
To visit the Stavronikita Monastery of the Holy Mountain, a pilgrim must obtain permission, a visa entrance to Mount Athos- so-called diamonitirion, which must be pre-ordered in advance using our service.
« GENICO» Diamonitirion (general permit for 20 monasteries) - gives the right to stay on overnight in any monastery Holy Mountain (subject to availability). We can assist in organizing accommodation in the monastery and book overnight accommodations.
Pilgrims wishing to visit the monasteries of Athos, which are located on the east coast (m. Hilandar - m. Esphigmen - m. Vatopedi - m. Pantokrator - m. Stavronikita - m. Iveron - m. Karakal - Morfonou), can go by speedboat from the village Ierissos. In this case, it is necessary to reserve seats on the speedboat in advance and you should notify our service and take care to get diamotirion from the ferry captain when boarding the boat in Ierissos.
Pilgrims can get to the Stavronikitsky Monastery a)by ferry from the village of Ierissos; b) by minibus from Kareya (the administrative capital of Athos); c) on foot from Kareya 1 hour 10 minutes walk, or from Pantokrator metro station 1 hour walk.

Basic in 1541, patronal feast day December 6/19, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Hegumen: Archimandrite. Tikhon. Tel. and fax (30-377) 23255.

Stavronikita

The Stavronikitsky monastery stands on a cliff site by the sea, approximately in the middle of the north-eastern coast of the peninsula, between the Iversky and Pantokratorov monasteries. You can walk here from Karya in about an hour and a half. The monastery celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas (December 6).

The current name of the monastery, according to one of the Athonite traditions, arose as a result of combining the names of two monks - Stavr and Nikita, who, before starting construction of the monastery, lived respectively in two cells in these places. Another tradition considers the founder of the monastery to be a certain Nikifor Stavronikita, the military leader of Emperor John Tzimiskes, who left his name to the monastery. Finally, the third version also claims to answer the question about the name of the monastery, according to which the monastery was built by Patrician Nikita, who celebrated his name day on September 15, i.e. the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14): as a result of combining the word “cross” (stauros) and the name of the ktitor, the name of the monastery arose.

Stavronikita

However, in addition to this name, which has become predominant at the present time, in ancient documents the monastery is also called the Monastery of the Mother of God, and even more often Stravonikitsky, which may be either the original version or a distortion of the current name. However, in no case is the name “Kharitonov” correct, as some believe, attributing the latter to the 14th century, since it is known that in those days only the Kutlumushev Monastery was called that in honor of its active abbot who bore this name, as has already been mentioned in the appropriate place .

From the above it follows that the foundation of the monastery is lost in the reports of many different traditions. However, from the document of Archpriest Nikephoros (1012) it is clear that an ancient monastery with that name existed at least from the beginning of the 11th century. This, as well as three other almost contemporary documents, among others, was signed by “Nicephorus, monk of Stravonikita”, and the enclitic letter of Paul of Xiropotamus (1016) is signed by the same person, but as a monk “Stavronikita” - an option that has gained 1 predominance up to the present day . These, as well as other subsequent written evidence, confirm the point of view according to which the Stavronikita Monastery was undoubtedly among the many Athonite monasteries that were founded already in the first years of organized monastic life on Mount Athos.

Stavronikita

This first period in the history of the monastery, which then lived an ordinary life, lasted until the 12th or early 13th century, when the monastery fell into complete desolation, like many other Athonite monasteries. The reasons for this desolation were frequent pirate raids that took place in various parts of the Aegean Sea and especially on Athos, as well as the Latin rule that followed the IV Crusade (1204-1261), which led to well-known consequences throughout the empire. The monastery, which was empty at that time, according to Athos documents, was ruled for a short time by the Archpriest of Athos, and then the monastery belonged successively to the Kutlumushev and Philotheev monasteries.

Then the Philotheev Monastery sold it as a “kathisma” to the abbot of the Giromerian (Thesprotius) monastery Gregory, along with all the buildings and land holdings (1533). The corresponding charter, given a few years later (1536) by Gregory’s friend, Patriarch Jeremiah I of Constantinople, again returned the Stavronikita Monastery, which had fallen down the rank of cell, to the rank of monastery, and thus the number of Athos monasteries increased from 19 to 20.

Stavronikita

Gregory of Giromeria (as his documents are often called) soon left his own monastery and settled on Athos, where he took every possible care of the Stavronikita monastery, which had fallen into disrepair, which he surrounded with walls, built many cells and a cathedral. In addition, due to the increase in the number of monks, Gregory took care of annexing to him the empty monidry of Fakin, which previously belonged to the Pantocrator Monastery.

After the death of Gregory (1540), out of love and respect for him, the work of restoring the monastery was continued by Patriarch Jeremiah himself.

More detailed information about the restoration of the monastery and its situation at this time can be gleaned from two documents of Jeremiah - in his “Essay” and in his “Testament”. Here we learn in particular that, despite the idiorhythm, which became an increasingly common way of life in the Athos monasteries, the Stavronikita monastery was founded and operated as a communal, and well-organized monastery.

The second period begins in the history of the monastery, full of various kinds of trials, caused mainly by material difficulties, a small number of monks and two large fires.

Stavronikita

Indeed, a characteristic feature of the Stavronikita Monastery has always been its rather limited property and a small number of monks in comparison with other Athonite monasteries. However, as a newly created monastery, it was assisted by the Holy Kinot, the “archon” Servopoulos (1612), the hieromonk Mark (1614), the elders of the island of Keos (1628), the wife of Thomas Klada Kurtessa (1630), the ruler of Vlachia Alexander Gikas (1727-1740) and others individuals who bought many farmsteads and land holdings for the monastery at their own expense or sent him money and other gifts. Thus, the monastery was able to exist all these years and, to some extent, restore its few exartimas, while at the same time receiving some others.

However, various circumstances from time to time prevented the development of the monastery. First of all, these were incessant disputes with neighboring monasteries and cells, primarily with Kutlumushev, over borders and land holdings. In addition, there were fires that were so destructive for the Athonite monasteries. One of them, during which the entire monastery was burned down, with the exception of its official documents, took place in 1607, and another, equally violent, in 1741. However, after these fires, the monks showed significant activity and were able, also relying on outside help, which was repeatedly observed in the history of other monasteries, to eliminate the damage caused to the monastery. In particular, the cathedral was reconstructed (1628), the famous aqueduct was built (1680), the refectory was expanded (1770), the Archangel Chapel, St. Dionysius in the cemetery and the Holy Five Martyrs to the north-west of the monastery were built.

Stavronikita

During the National Liberation War of 1821, the Stavronikita Monastery, like the whole of Athos, was subjected to severe trials. The financial condition of the monastery was very deplorable due to excessively high debts and the participation of the monastery in the national struggle, and the monks left Athos, either fleeing from the Turks who broke into its territory, or providing support to the rebels in the fight against the invaders. Thus, the Stavronikitsky monastery (like some other monasteries) and its farmsteads in the Danube principalities and other places again fell into disrepair.

This situation continued for ten years, after which the Turks left Athos, and its surviving former monks began to return here.

However, the subsequent rise of the monastery was interrupted by new disasters, which made all the work and struggle of previous years in vain. A series of fires that struck the monastery in succession in 1864, 1874 and 1879 caused serious damage. The monastery was restored, but the monks found themselves in heavy debt, which subsequently led to the decline of the monastery, which again found itself under the tutelage of the Holy Kinot.

The monastery managed to get out of this difficult situation thanks to its active prostamen Theophilus, who was formerly the archimandrite of the Vatopedi monastery, although there were no significant changes for a longer time, which took place only in recent years, when the monastery was transformed into a cenobitic monastery, and the liquidation the monastery seemed inevitable from day to day.

As for buildings, the Stavronikitsky Monastery is the smallest in area of ​​the 20 Athonite monasteries. Characteristic is its high, crenellated tower, which is visible from a distance and seems to have grown into the entrance, becoming a constant guard and sentinel.

View of the monastery cathedral

Monastic Cathedral, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is the smallest of the cathedrals of all Athonite monasteries. It was built around the middle of the 16th century on the site of an earlier Cathedral of the Virgin and reconstructed in 1627-1628. Its narthex was built after 1630. The cathedral is located east of the very narrow monastery courtyard and has very valuable frescoes of the Cretan school, the author of which is the famous painter Theophanes of Crete and his son Simeon (1546). On these frescoes you can also see a portrait of Patriarch Jeremiah I, who is depicted as a ktitor with the likeness of a temple in his hands. The wonderful carved wooden iconostasis of the temple was created, according to the inscription contained on it, in 1743, when Gregory from Chios was the abbot of the monastery.

In addition to the cathedral, the monastery has several chapels on its territory and outside it in exartims. The monastery also owns 33 kalivas in the village of Kapsala and 4 cells in Karei.

Refectory built into the upper floor on the south side and contains remarkable frescoes (in all likelihood of the Cretan school).

Stavronikita

Among the monastery regalia, we should mention a very interesting mosaic icon of St. Nicholas the Oyster (an oyster dug into the saint’s forehead when he was found by fishermen at sea), which is kept in the cathedral, an interesting Dodekaort on the iconostasis (1546), fragments of holy relics, ancient sacred vestments, church utensils, etc.

Library located on the lower floor of the cathedral and contains 171 manuscripts, 58 of which, as well as 3 liturgical scrolls, are written on parchment. Among the manuscripts, some illustrated ones stand out (for example, Nos. 43, 50, 56, etc.) with rich decoration. In addition, there is a significant number of printed books.

The Stavronikitsky monastery is the first monastery to change its way of life in recent years, becoming a cenobitic monastery, which was followed by other monasteries. The monastery has about 50 monks who live on its territory and beyond, and occupies fifteenth place in the hierarchy of 20 Athonite monasteries.

Tradition

Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker "Striedas"

The monastery houses one amazing shrine - the miraculous mosaic icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker “Striedas” (in Greek “Shell”). After the restoration of the monastery by Abbot Gregory, a certain fisherman caught this holy image in the sea with his net, on which (on the saint’s forehead) he discovered a large oyster shell attached.

Tradition says that the iconoclasts threw the icon into the sea in the 9th century. Consequently, she lay there unharmed for more than seven hundred years! It was taken out of the sea in excellent condition, but after the shell was separated from it, a deep bleeding ulcer (as if on a living body) remained on the forehead of St. Nicholas. The shell was given to Patriarch Jeremiah. He ordered to make a liturgical dish from half of its shell, intended for the Mother of God prosphora, and from the second half a panagia with the image of the Ascension of the Lord was made and subsequently presented as a gift to the Patriarch of All Rus' Job.

Job received this gift after the Council in Constantinople, at which it was decided to elevate the Metropolitan of Moscow to Patriarchal dignity. The Panagia was passed on by the Patriarchs of All Rus' from generation to generation, but during the years of revolutionary hard times in Russia, its traces are lost.

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Stavronikita Monastery

The monastery of Stavronikita occupies fifteenth place in the hierarchy of Athos monasteries. The monastery is located in the northeast of the peninsula, between the Iversky and Pantokrator monasteries, about five kilometers from the capital of Athos Karei. Stavronikita rises like a stone mass on the edge of a small rocky cape and is visible from the sea very far. This is the most modest monastery in size on the Holy Mountain.

There are various legends associated with the origin of this monastery, and none of them is considered indisputable. Historians only agree that from the earliest times there was a cell here. According to some researchers, the founders of the monastery were two monks - monks Stavros and Nikita, who lived in these places. Others believe that the monastery was created by the works of the court emperor John Tzimiskes - Nikifor Stavronikita. The third legend tells about the monk Nikita, whose occupation was making wooden crosses. The word “stavronikita” consists of two parts “cross” (in Greek stavros) and the Orthodox name Nikita.

From the decree signed by Archpriest Nikephoros in 1012, it is clear that this monastery, initially consecrated in honor of St. John the Baptist, and subsequently in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos, by that time existed as a monastery with its own charter and traditions.

After the Latin occupation of 1214–1261 and countless pirate raids, the monastery was empty for some time.

In the 13th century, the Stavronikita monastery was subordinated to the Kutlumush monastery, from which it passed to the Philotheus monastery in the 16th century. In 1533, the abbot of the Heromerian monastery in Thesprotia, Gregory, bought Stavronikita from Philotheus and set to work to revive it. Under Gregory, Stavronikita again received the status of a monastery. Gregory and Patriarch Jeremiah I of Constantinople worked diligently, expanding and restoring dilapidated buildings. Thanks to the discovery of the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in its place in the 13th–7th centuries, the cathedral church was consecrated in the name of this saint.

In 1541, Patriarch Jeremiah of Constantinople provided the monastery with significant financial assistance for its restoration. He provided Stavronikita with farmsteads in Kassandra and on the island of Lemnos. The monastery again returned to the communal charter. Construction of the cathedral was completed in five years, in 1546, when it was decorated with frescoes by the famous representative of the Cretan school Theophanes and his son Simeon.

In gratitude for their help, the brethren depicted the Patriarch on the western wall of the cathedral church. On the fresco he is depicted with a small copy of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas that he built.

In subsequent years, the monastery burned and was restored several times. In 1607, a fire broke out in Stavronikita, destroying almost everything - only part of the archives survived. After this disaster, the monastery became special. In the 18th century, the Moldovan ruler Alexander Ghica gave the monastery the Monastery of the Holy Apostles in Bucharest. The monastery burned again in 1741, 1864, 1874.

Subsequently, the monastery did not escape desolation during the Greek liberation uprising.

The last fire in 1879 was the most destructive. Like other monasteries, Stavronikita was brought into disrepair by excessive taxes imposed on the monastery by the Turks. His debt was paid as a result of superhuman efforts by the abbot of the Vatopedi monastery, Theophilos.

The situation was complicated by the confiscation of monastic properties outside Mount Athos at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

By 1967, only four monks remained in Stavronikita, but in 1968 the monastery was replenished with a new brethren of young and educated monks and was transformed into a dormitory. After this, the abbot was asked to urgently occupy Iviron, which at that time unexpectedly became vacant. The abbot selected the best of the brethren and formed the new brotherhood of Iviron.

The main cathedral of the monastery is named in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and is the smallest of all the monastery churches, just like Stavronikita itself - the smallest of all the monasteries. This cathedral was built in the 16th century on the site where a church in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary previously stood. The cathedral church of the monastery is decorated with frescoes by Theophan of Crete (frescoes of his work are also preserved in the refectory).

On the territory of Stavronikita there are five parakliss: John the Baptist, Righteous Anna,

Archangels, in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source”, martyr Eleutherius.

Stavronikita has several other small temples and chapels, as well as thirty-three kalivas in the village of Kapsala.

The monastery is surrounded by a stone fortress wall with a high tower; the walls are completed by the cell buildings of the monastery.

To the left of the entrance to the monastery there is a water supply system and open containers for storing water. They were built between 1679 and 1688 with donations from the Hungarian ruler Serban Kantakouzin.

The main shrine of the Stavronikita monastery is the miraculous mosaic icon of St. Nicholas. In 1545, when Abbot Gregory restored the monastery, a fisherman caught this icon with a net, to which a large oyster shell had grown. Because of this, the icon received the name St. Nicholas the Oyster (Stridis). The legend about St. Nicholas the Oyster has several versions. According to one version, this icon was thrown into the sea by iconoclasts in the ninth century and miraculously lay there unharmed for more than seven hundred years. According to another version, this icon was taken by pirates during a raid, but they were caught in a storm near the monastery and drowned.

Patriarch Jeremiah II ordered a saucer to be made from the wings of a mother-of-pearl shell attached to the icon for part of the Mother of God prosphora, and from the other - a precious panagia, with which he later blessed the Moscow Patriarch Job.

Also among the monastery shrines are: part of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, particles of the relics of John the Baptist, the first martyr Archdeacon Stephen, Righteous Anna, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Phocas, martyrs who suffered in Nicomedia; Saints Ambrose of Milan, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian; Great Martyrs Artemy and Panteleimon, Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs Carp, Bishop of Thyatira, Deacon Papila, Martyrs Eleutherius and Tryphon, Martyr Paraskeva, St. Theodore Stratilates, 40 Martyrs of Sebaste; Saint Joasaph, Prince of India, as well as the myrrh of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica and the oil of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The library of the Stavronikita monastery contains the Psalter, which was allegedly the property of St. John Chrysostom.

Today 30 monks live in the monastery.

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  • Postal address, index – 63086 Caries Holy Mount Athos
  • Monastery phone number - (+30) 23770 23255
  • Fax -
  • Call center -
  • Representation of the monastery in Karyes (Capital of Athos) - (+30) 23770 23270
  • Representation of the monastery in Thessaloniki - (+30) 2310 235826
  • Fax -
  • Patronal Feast – St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra
  • Date of foundation: 10th century
  • Hierarchical place – 15/20
  • The monasteries with which they are managed by the Parliament of Athos are Vatopedi, Kutlumush, Karakal, Stavronikita.
  • The cenobitic structure of the monastery since – 1968, Blessing of Patriarch Athenagoras Α′
  • Hegumen – Holy Archimandrite Tikhon (1990)
  • Number of monks – 35 monasteries, 13 kelliots
  • Cells and Kathismas (hermit settlements) belonging to the monastery - Cells, Kathismas.

History and modernity

The Stavronikita Monastery (Greek: Μονή Σταυρονικήτα) is one of the Athos monasteries, occupying 15th place in the Svyatogorsk hierarchy. Located in the eastern part of the Athos Peninsula; founded in the 10th century.

The monastery got its name from the legend that the hermit Nikita, who made crosses, once lived in its place (Stavronikita means “Nikita’s cross”). The original monastery was dedicated to John the Baptist, but was completely destroyed during the Crusades. The modern monastery was founded by the Patriarch of Constantinople Jeremiah I. Thanks to the discovery in its place of the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of the 13th-14th centuries. The cathedral church was consecrated in the name of this saint.

The monastery is small in size, surrounded by a stone fortress wall with a high tower, the walls are completed by the cell buildings of the monastery. Today 30 monks live in the monastery.

Byzantine period

The monastery was founded at the beginning of the 11th century and was named after its founder. It is noteworthy that in the documents of the 12th century there is no mention of this monastery. Having become empty, Stavronikita was transferred to the management of the archpriest as a cell, and then was given to the archpriest Kutlumush, on the condition that he would restore the monastery. Already in 1313, Stavronikita was mentioned in documents as an independent monastery, but soon this independence was lost again, since the monastery was transferred to Philotheus.

Turkish rule

In 1535, the cell of Stavronikitas was bought from the monastery by Philotheus, who came to Athos, Gregory, the abbot of the Giromeriou monastery in Thesprotia (Epirus). Gregory liked this place so much that he paid the amount of 4000 acce.

Gregory's goal was to restore Stavronikita and return it to the status of a monastery. In 1536, Gregory managed not only to restore some buildings, but also to secure a special decree from the patriarch, with whom he was on friendly terms, which stated that Stavronikita was a patriarchal, stauropegic monastery. After the death of Gregory and as a result of a great fire, the monastery again began to decline. Since the parliament of the Holy Mountain was interested in having a monastery on this site, which was due to its favorable location, which made it possible to track pirate ships, the parliament asked the patriarch to take personal control of the restoration of the monastery. Beginning in 1540, work to restore the monastery resumed in Stavronikita. The new main temple of Stavronikita was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, who was especially revered by the patriarch. A manifestation of the patriarch’s special favor was the transfer to Stavronikita of a plot of land on the Kassandra Peninsula. The 1808 census lists 48 monks at the Stavronikita monastery, of whom 25 lived within its walls.

Our days

For travelers heading northwest towards Ierissos from Iveron Monastery, it will take an hour's walk to reach Stavronikita Monastery. This monastery can be seen from afar, as it rises above the sea along with its high tower. The territory of the monastery is limited by a rocky natural landscape, as a result of which this monastery is the smallest on the Holy Mountain.

The main temple of the monastery, also the smallest on Mount Athos, is located in the east of the narrow central courtyard. It was built in 1536 during the restoration of the monastery on the site of the old monastery church, but, while the previous church was dedicated to the Mother of God, the new church is dedicated to St. Nicholas. With the exception of minor repairs and the addition of the narthex, the temple has been preserved in its original form to this day. The small size of the temple did not allow it to follow the established type of the main temple on the Holy Mountain. Thus there are no niches or attached chapels in this temple; it was painted in 1546 by Theophanes from the island of Crete and his son Simeon. The carved wooden iconostasis, according to the inscription dating it, was created in 1743. The main church also houses the miraculous icon of St. Nicholas.

There are 4 chapels on the territory of the monastery, one of them is dedicated to John the Baptist and decorated with magnificent frescoes. Behind the territory of the monastery there are two more chapels. Due to the small area of ​​the central courtyard, there is no font and refectory, which are located on the upper floor of the southern side of the gallery.

Stavronikita includes about 34 kaliva of the settlement of Kapsala, located south of the monastery, an hour’s walk away. 11 cells are also subordinate to the monastery. One of the two cells in Karyes is used as a representative office.

Guide to the monastery

The monastery pier is considered especially picturesque. A two-story building was built here, with a workshop on the ground floor. 2 stone buildings to the left and right of the path leading to the monastery house 2 more workshops, respectively. Climbing along the path to the monastery, the pilgrim passes through the cemetery church dedicated to St. Demetrius. Recently in this temple the old vestibule was replaced with a new, more spacious one. Two columns of the old porch can be seen today in the fencing of the temple area. In the temple itself there are frescoes from 1798, created at the expense of Progumen Dionysius from the island of Mytilene. There is an ossuary under the temple.

The entrance to the monastery is in the southern wing. Stopping in front of the entrance you can admire the magnificent view of the Aegean Sea, as well as the fortified walls of the monastery and the stone aqueduct.

The main temple of the monastery is the only one on the Holy Mountain that was not built in accordance with the established architectural type here. Due to the limited territory, there are no additional rooms on the sides of the altar. The temple and the vestibule are painted with magnificent frescoes of Theophanes of Crete.

To the right of the entrance in the narthex is the holy martyr Luke from the island of Mytilene. Above the entrance to the main temple through the porch, Christ is depicted between the Mother of God and St. Nicholas. On the left and right there are 2 ecumenical councils. At the top of the western wall of the temple you can see an image of Jesus in a rare scene of the Unsleeping Eye. On the adjacent wall, Patriarch Jeremiah I is depicted as a ktitor (founder of the monastery), holding a model of the monastery in his hands. It is also worth paying attention to the scene of the entrance to Jerusalem, where Christ is depicted approaching Jerusalem from the right side. Particularly interesting are the figures of children who gradually take off their clothes to lay them under the feet of the Savior. Christ Pantocrator is surrounded by images of angels. Here it is worth paying attention to the angel, who is depicted from the front at the level of the left shoulder of the Almighty, raising his hands.

On the columns to the left and right there are icons of the Mother of God and Christ, most likely coming from the cell of All Saints (representative of the monastery in Karyes). At the right eastern column in the proskynitarium is located. This is a mosaic icon caught in the nets of the monastery fishermen. An oyster shell was found attached to the icon in the place where the saint’s forehead is depicted. According to legend, when the shell was separated from the icon, a wound appeared on the forehead, from which blood flowed. The shell is kept in a special silver frame, on which there is an inscription in the Slavic language retelling the verses of the hymn Worthy There Is.

At the eastern column there is an icon of Venerable John the Baptist, the leader of the monastic army.

The iconostasis of the main temple is unusually tall, wooden, gilded, and was built in 1743. Here you can see the famous icons of the 12 holidays and the Crucifixion of Theophan of Crete, which, obviously, previously decorated the previous iconostasis.

Twilight reigns in the temple, the feeling of which is aggravated by marble inlays in the floor and candlesticks standing everywhere.

The bell tower is located in the southeast wing, to the right of the entrance. Due to the limited territory, the monastery does not have a font. There are 5 chapels on the territory of the monastery:

  • of the Holy Archangels of 1667, in the south wing;
  • The Mother of God or the Life-Giving Spring of 1840, in the southeast wing, where the remarkable icon of the Mother of God Platytera is kept;
  • St. Eleftherius 1840, in the southeast wing, on the top floor of the refectory;
  • St. John the Baptist 1546, to the right of the refectory, towards the south-eastern corner, with frescoes that are attributed to the hand of Theophanes himself;
  • St. Anne's on the fourth floor of the tower, which was built between 1546 and 1607.

Outside the walls of the monastery, at a distance of 10 minutes on foot, in the northwest, there is the Chapel of the Holy Martyrs, built in 1785. Previously, there were also cells used as hesychastiriums.

The courtyard of the monastery is the smallest in the whole of Mount Athos. The main temple is located in its eastern part. The actual absence of a courtyard is compensated by the space in front of the entrance, where there is an aqueduct with a reservoir, and in front of them are the gardens of the monastery.

The refectory is located on the first floor of the southeast wing. The building is connected to the Chapel of Venerable John the Baptist. Above the entrance there is a commemorative inscription from 1744. The frescoes of the concha and the southern wall are the work of the artist Feofan.

The sacristy is located in the tower, where magnificent vessels, gold-embroidered clothes, crosses, amazing woodwork and other treasures are kept. Portable icons are considered especially noteworthy: St. Nicholas, St. John the Theologian, Saints Peter and Paul, 3 hierarchs, Saints Andrew and Mark, the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, the Prophet Elijah and others.

The library is located on the lower floor of the north wing. 169 Greek codices with theological, musical texts, as well as liturgies are stored here.

The tower is located on the side of the main entrance, in the center of the southern wing. This is a rectangular structure 25 m high. After repairs made here, the sacristy was moved to the tower, along with the storage of icons.

Particles of Relics

Particles of the Relics of the Saints, Righteous Anna (mother of the Most Holy Theotokos), John the Baptist, a particle of the Nicomedia Martyrs (20,000 martyred), the Hieromartyrs Phocas and Charalampios, the Martyrs Tryphon, Christopher, Joasaph the King of India, the Great Martyrs Panteleimon and Artemios, the Holy Virgin Paraskeva, the New Martyrs Luke and Arsenios Capodocia.

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