Difference between revisions of "Vatopedi Monastery (Athos)"
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[[Image:PanagiaPantanassa.jpg|thumb|left|[[Panagia Pantanassa]]]] | [[Image:PanagiaPantanassa.jpg|thumb|left|[[Panagia Pantanassa]]]] | ||
− | The '''Monastery of Vatopedi''' is one of twenty monasteries on the [[Mount Athos]] peninsula and is located on the northeastern side of the peninsula. It is second in hierarchical rank among the monasteries | + | The '''Monastery of Vatopedi''' is one of twenty monasteries on the [[Mount Athos]] peninsula and is located on the northeastern side of the peninsula. It operates as a coenobium (a communal monastic community) monastery, [as of 1999] is inhabited by 80 monks and is second in hierarchical rank among the monasteries of the mountain. |
− | The | + | == History == |
+ | Some sources associate the name of "Vatopedi" with the flora of the surrounding countryside (''vatos'' = shrub, ''pedion'' = plain or ground);<ref>[http://www.chalkidiki.com/athos/vatopedi.html The monastery of Vatopedi]</ref> others point to a traditional story in which Emperor Arcadius built the monastery to honor the saving of his son from shipwreck by the [[Theotokos]]; the child was found in a bush (''vato'' = brier, ''paidi'' = child).<ref>[http://www.mlahanas.de/Greece/Regions/MonasteryOfVatopedi.html Monastery of Vatopedi]</ref> | ||
− | The [[katholikon]] was built in the tenth century in the Athonite style. It is dedicated to the [[Annunciation]] of the Blessed [[Virgin Mary]]. The katholikon still retains some mosaics from the Byzantine period. There are nineteen chapels in and around the monastery proper, with five within the katholikon. The Greek [[skete]] of St. Demetrius and the Russian skete of St. Andrew (Serri) belong to Vatopedi. | + | The [[monastery]] was founded in 972 AD by three [[monk]]s: Athanasius, Nicholas, and Antonius, who were students of St. Anthanasius of Lavra. The major parts of the monastery were constructed either during the Byzantine period or later, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when building reached its peak. The monastery is monumental in size, with a tall wall in which the buildings are placed in triangular form. |
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+ | == Main Buildings == | ||
+ | * The [[katholikon]] was built in the tenth century in the Athonite style. It is dedicated to the [[Annunciation]] of the Blessed [[Virgin Mary]]. The katholikon still retains some mosaics from the Byzantine period. There are nineteen chapels in and around the monastery proper, with five within the katholikon. | ||
+ | * The Trapeza | ||
+ | * The Buzantine period clock tower | ||
+ | * The North-east tower which houses the monastery library (10th-century) | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Sketes of Vatopaidi == | ||
+ | The Greek [[skete]] of St. Demetrius, near the main monastery, and the Russian skete of St. Andrew (Serri) in Karyes both belong to the Vatopedi Monastery. | ||
== Monastery Treasures == | == Monastery Treasures == |
Revision as of 23:44, May 28, 2008
Holy Monastery of Vatopedi | |
Rank or attached monastery | Second |
Type of community | Cenobitic Monastery |
Founded | 972 by Ss Athanasius, Nicholas and Antonius |
Superior | Elder Ephraim |
Approx. size | ~50 monks[1] |
Location | Northeast |
Liturgical language(s) | Greek |
Music used | Byzantine chant |
Feastdays celebrated | Annunciation |
The Monastery of Vatopedi is one of twenty monasteries on the Mount Athos peninsula and is located on the northeastern side of the peninsula. It operates as a coenobium (a communal monastic community) monastery, [as of 1999] is inhabited by 80 monks and is second in hierarchical rank among the monasteries of the mountain.
Contents
History
Some sources associate the name of "Vatopedi" with the flora of the surrounding countryside (vatos = shrub, pedion = plain or ground);[2] others point to a traditional story in which Emperor Arcadius built the monastery to honor the saving of his son from shipwreck by the Theotokos; the child was found in a bush (vato = brier, paidi = child).[3]
The monastery was founded in 972 AD by three monks: Athanasius, Nicholas, and Antonius, who were students of St. Anthanasius of Lavra. The major parts of the monastery were constructed either during the Byzantine period or later, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when building reached its peak. The monastery is monumental in size, with a tall wall in which the buildings are placed in triangular form.
Main Buildings
- The katholikon was built in the tenth century in the Athonite style. It is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The katholikon still retains some mosaics from the Byzantine period. There are nineteen chapels in and around the monastery proper, with five within the katholikon.
- The Trapeza
- The Buzantine period clock tower
- The North-east tower which houses the monastery library (10th-century)
Sketes of Vatopaidi
The Greek skete of St. Demetrius, near the main monastery, and the Russian skete of St. Andrew (Serri) in Karyes both belong to the Vatopedi Monastery.
Monastery Treasures
In addition to many relics, the monastery possesses a library of over 10,000 printed books and about 1,700 manuscripts.
Iconography
There are a number of miracle working icons in the monastery. The most well known icons are:
- Panagia Pantanassa, the "Queen of All"
- Panagia Paramythea