Agios Antonios Monastery Meteora

The Monastery of Agios Antonios is a former Eastern Orthodox Monastery that is part of the Meteora Monastery Complex in Thessaly. It was built around the 14th century in a natural cavity on the south side of the Pyxari rock, near the church of Genesios of Theotokos. The hermitage of Agios Antonios was burned down in the 1970s by tourists who stayed overnight inside. Under the care of Fr. Fotios Karakostas, priest in Kastraki, it was partially renovated, and a road was constructed to facilitate access. The portable icon of the 17th century depicting Anthony the Great and Saint Anthony of Veria that was once housed in the monastery, is today kept in the Holy Monastery of Agia Triada in Meteora.

The Monastery of Agios Antonios has been a Metochi (Monastic Dependancy) of the Holy Trinity Monastery since 1994. During the years 2005-2006, the abbot of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity), Archimandrite Chrysostomos Tetsios, restored the monastery complex which includes a cavernous nave, dedicated to Agios Antonios on the third floor, the archontariki (guest house) and the kitchen on the second floor, as well as two cells on the lower level. Although the monastery lost its floating feel, it became accessible for liturgical use and for monks who are seeking a spiritual place for seclusion and prayer.

The small domed church of Agios Antonios was decoated in 2006 with impressive frescoes on canvas by the painter Lazaros Pehlivanidis. The monastery was reopened on January 17, 2006, the feast day of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony). It is a sanctuary of the fathers of the Holy Monastery of Agia Triada and one of those places worth visiting while exploring Meteora.