Xenophontos Monastery

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Xenophontos Monastery

The Monastery Xenophontos celebrates on the day of Agios Georgios on the 23th of April. It was founded by Saint Xenophon in the 10th century. The Monastery is located in an even location near the sea and close to the Monasteries of Dochiariou and Panteleimonos. It is the 16th in hierarchy among the monasteries of Mount Athos.

It is first mentioned in official documents in 1033 even though there are indications that the first reference to the Monastery was made in 998. Emperor Vasilios II added to it the Monastery of Ieromnimonos. From documents of Xenophontos we are informed that around 1083 an admiral, friend of emperor Nikiforos III Votaniatis, became a monk there and he offered all his belongings therefore helping considerably to the extension of the buildings. In 1225 pirates looted and destroyed a big part of the monastery and a decade later there were more attacks by the crusaders. In 1817 it was burnt and then renovated by its abbot Philotheo. In 1794 with a seal of Patriarch Gavriel the monastery of Xenophontos was declared a commune community.

The 'old' Katholikon nowadays is part of the monastery's population. Murals painted by the Cretan painter Antonios in 1544 have been preserved and on the arch there is an inscription of the date 1545 which states the renovation of the temple. The construction of the 'new' Katholikon began in 1809 and was completed in 1819. There is a marble iconostasis and the collection of portable pictures is temporarily kept in the temple. The corridor between the Katholikon and the Prothesis is decorated with murals.An inscription mentions as donors the ruler of Wallachia Ioannis Matthaios and his wife Eleni Vessarava.

The murals of the old Prothesis date back to 1575 but they were repainted in 1640. At the 'new' Katholikon there are also two mosaic pictures of Agios Dimitrios and Agios Georgios of the 13th century and the miraculous picture of Panagia the Odigitria, a copy of the picture that was destroyed at the Monastery of Chora during the Occupation of Constantinople. The picture originally belonged to the Monastery of Vatopedi but then it passed to Xenophontos in 1730. The Monastery owns 14 chapels, 8 of which are inside and 4 of them are decorated with murals.Xenophontos also owns the Sketi of Evaggelismos and 20 Kalyves.

The library contains 600 manuscripts, 8 parchments, scrolls, documents and over 7000 printed books.

In the sacristy there are many portable pictures, crosses, functional utensil, relics, canonicals and a piece of the Holy Wood. Among the relics is the picture of Transfiguration which is made by wax and mastic.



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