Docheiariou Monastery

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Docheiariou Monastery

The Dochiariou Monastery on Mount Athos is an Eastern Orthodox monastery on Mount Athos. The monastery celebrates the Assembly of the Archangels on the 8th of November. It was originally founded at Daphne in the 10th century in the name of Agios Nikolaos from dochiari (= storer) of Athanassios Lavriotis, Efthimio. When the monastery was destroyed, it was transferred to its current location at the beginning of the 11th century. The Monastery of Dochiariou is locate in an altitude of 30 meters at a distance of approximately 1 hour from the Monastery of Xenophontos.

The first historical reference of the monastery is found in the second Document of 1045, which includes the signing of an abbot as "Theodoulos (God's servant) monk and abbot of Dochiariou". It is the 10th in hierarchy among the monasteries of Mount Athos. One of the first benefactors of the Monastery was the emperor Nikiforos III Votaniatis, who covered the costs for its extension and is therefore mentioned as co-founder. Other benefactors of the monastery were the emperor Mihael VII Doukas and his mother, Roksandra, wife of the ruler of Moldova Alexandrou, who undertook the reconstruction of the Monastery in 1570 and after 1459 the funding ceased and as a result, and because of the raids, the monastery was almost completely ravaged. At the end of the 14th century and in the beginning of the 15th, the Palaiologos dynasty offered rich donations from the Serbian King Stephano Dousan and it developed into a main Monastery. In 1653 the monydrio Slobozia from Wallachia was situated at the Monastery.

The Katholikon of the Monastery is honored in the name of the Archangels on the 8th of November. It was built in the 16th century and it was renovated in 1568 thanks to the offers of Georgios and the Princess Roksandra. The Prothesis was completed in 1547 and the murals of the Katholikon were painted by the Cretan School. At the right of the entrance of the Prothesis and in a frescoed chapel is the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary of "Gorgoipikoou". The Monastery was completed in the 18th century when the northwest wing and the tomb of Theophanes of Moldova were built. The monastery owns 6 chapels inside and 2 cells in Κaryes.

The library is located in the Tower of the Monastery and contains 5,000 volumes of printed books, 545 manuscripts including 62 parchments(11th -14th century), 244 paper codes (14th -18th century). The illustrated handwritten minologio (book of months) no. 5, 3 folders with sheets of ecclesiastical music (15th -19th century), 87 paper ecclesiastical codes.

In the sacristy there are many relics, filigreed gold fabrics, wooden carved crosses with wired decoration, sacred remains and a piece of the Holy Cross.



Each day, 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox male pilgrims are admitted for a three-night stay in one of the peninsula's 20 monasteries. Clergy and those who have a special invitation from the monasteries are excluded. Because of the small number of non-orthodox permits issued, if you are planning to visit Mount Athos you should run the necessary procedures the earliest possible. Women are not allowed to enter Mount Athos by law, and there is a penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment for those who break it. Boys were not allowed in the past, but the policy has become more flexible over the years, and now boys can come if they're accompanied by an adult - usually their father.

To enter Mount Athos a permit is required for both individuals and groups. The permit is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Churches or by the Ministry of Northern Greece. Orthodox Greeks can apply by producing their identity card at the Athos Bureau in Ouranoupolis on the right side of the port. Diamonitiria (permits to stay as a pilgrim) are issued by the offices of the Athos Bureau, at Ouranoupolis. In order to get their diamonitirion visitors must show their identity cards and pay the sum of €25 for Orthodox visitors, €35 for non-Orthodox visitors or €18 for students. Foreign visitors also need a passport; if you are Orthodox but not Greek, you will need to prove this with a letter from a priest or a baptismal certificate. Foreigners can send an e-mail to athosreservation@gmail.com a photocopy of the request along with their passport. Once you have secured your accommodation, you will need to contact the monastery that you wish by sending a letter to the guest request.

Once in Agio Oros, you can travel around. The hospitality at the monasteries is provided free of charge. Bed and board are offered to the holders of the permit. If you are planning to visit Mount Athos you should bring with you long sleeved shirts, long trousers, flashlight, athletic shoes and a flashlight. Bear in mind that the monastery doors close by sunset. Mobile phones and photo cameras are allowed, but DO NOT photograph the monks. Video cameras are not allowed. Swimming in the sea or listening to loud music is not allowed either. Follow the ritual during lunch and dinner. Everyone, visitors and monks enter the dining room and stand upright in front of their seat. The Abbot prays, gives his blessing, a bell sounds, and everyone sits down to eat without talking to each other. A monk reads ecclesiastic texts and in about 20 minutes the bell sounds for the second time. If you have or you have not finished eating, you must get up, the abbot prays and after he finish you can get out of the dining room.

The Mount Athos Pilgrims’ Bureau- Athos
Official Office
109 Egnatia str,
54635 Thessaloniki
Tel. for nationals +302310252575 Tel. for foreigners +302310252578 Fax +302310222424
Thessaloniki office hours: Monday-Friday 09:00 – 14:00, Saturday: 10:00 – 12:00