Agios Ioannis Rosos Monastery Evia

Μετάφραση Greek Version

Discover the Sacred St. John the Russian Monastery in Evia

The Monastery of Agios Ioannis Rosos in Prokopi, northern Evia, is one of Greece's most important Orthodox pilgrimage sites. The church houses the incorrupt relics of Saint John the Russian, which were brought to Prokopi in October 1924 by Greek refugees from the town of Prokopi in Asia Minor. The present church was built between 1930 and 1951 and has since become an important pilgrimage destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

 

Life of Saint John the Russian

Saint John was born around 1690 in Asia Minor to Christian parents. As a young man, he served in the army of Peter the Great during the Russo-Turkish War of 1710–1711. After being captured by the Ottomans, he was sold into slavery to a Turkish official in Prokopi.

Despite the hardships of captivity, Saint John remained devoted to his Christian faith and refused to renounce it. According to tradition, he lived in difficult conditions and prayed regularly in a nearby chapel dedicated to Saint George.

Saint John died on 27 May 1730, at the age of about 40. His remains were buried by the Christians of Prokopi and soon became associated with numerous accounts of miraculous healings. Tradition also holds that his relics remained incorrupt despite attempts to destroy them.

 

The Monastery Today

Today, the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Rosos is both an important pilgrimage site and a place that welcomes visitors from Greece and abroad. Its large guesthouse, inaugurated in 1989, can accommodate up to 160 people and includes conference halls, dining facilities and a small museum.

The monastery has hosted Orthodox gatherings, theological conferences and cultural events and is also involved in charitable activities supporting people in need.

The feast day of Saint John the Russian is celebrated on 27 May. Thousands of pilgrims travel to Prokopi on this occasion to venerate the saint's relics and participate in the celebrations.

 

How to Get to the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Rosos

The monastery is located in Prokopi, northern Evia, and can be reached by road from several parts of Greece.

  • From Chalkida: Follow the main road north towards Prokopi. The monastery is approximately 45 km from Chalkida, a journey of about 1 hour by car.
  • From Central and Northern Greece: Another option is to travel to the port of Arkitsa, take the ferry to Aidipsos in northern Evia, and continue by road to Prokopi. The monastery is approximately 76 km from Aidipsos, around 1 hour and 20 minutes by car.

Whether you visit as a pilgrim or as a traveler interested in the religious and cultural heritage of Greece, the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Rosos is one of the most significant places to visit in northern Evia.