Stavronikita Monastery

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Stavronikita Monastery

The Monastery Stavronikita celebrates on the day of Agios Nikolaos on the 6th of December. Regarding the establishment of the monastery there are several versions but the most probable is the one that the monastery originates from the monks Stavros and Nikitas. The Monastery is located on a rock 50 meters above the east coasts of Athos and it is an hour away from the Monasteries of Iviron and Pantokratoros. It is the 15th in hierarchy among the monasteries of Mount Athos. A document of Nikiforos I in 1012 validates the existence of the monastery as a Cell in the 10th century.

Another document of 1153 mentions the Cell Stavronikita. The history of the Monastery is unknown regarding the next centuries. In 1533 the Monastery initially belonged to the Monastery of Koultoumasiou and after that to Philopheou but it received a lot of looting from crusaders. In 1533 Grigorios Giromeriatis bought it and he became the first abbot of the monastery, he built walls and began building.His work was completed by Ieremias I and he announced the Monastery as patriarchal and stavropegic. The monks honor him today, along with Grigorios, as the second owner of the Monastery. In 1607 it was burnt for the first time and it was built from scratch.

The Katholikon was built in 1456 by patriarch Ieremias and it was completed in 1546. During the same year the inside of the temple was painted by the painter of Cretan School Theophanis. The most important work of art is the mosaic picture of Agios Nikolaos Stridas, of the 14th century.The Prothesis was renovated in 1780 and inside it there are many murals also attributed to the Cretan School. The Monastery owns 6 chapels, 4 Cells in Karyes and 44 Kalyves in Kapsala.

The library contains 58 parchments with the most valuable of all being the handwritten parchment the Euaggelistarion no. 46, 2 cotton silk parchments, 3 scrolls in parchment and plenty printed books.

In the sacristy there are remains, valuable functional utensils, canonicals, the golden picture of Agios Nikolaos, several portable pictures such as the one of Agios Nikolaos Stridas which is considered the most valuable



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