Difference between revisions of "Vatopedi Monastery (Athos)"

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rank=Second|
 
rank=Second|
 
type=[[Cenobitic]] Monastery|
 
type=[[Cenobitic]] Monastery|
founded=972 by Ss Athanasius, Nicholas and Antonius|
+
founded=4th century by Theodosios the Great|
 
superior=Elder Ephraim|
 
superior=Elder Ephraim|
size=~50 monks<ref name="Mlahanas">[http://www.mlahanas.de/Greece/Regions/MonasteryOfVatopedi.html Monastery of Vatopedi]</ref>|
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size=~125 monks|
 
location=Northeast|
 
location=Northeast|
 
language=Greek|
 
language=Greek|
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==History==
 
==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 name="Mlahanas" />
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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 Theodosios 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).
  
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.  
+
The legend says that the [[monastery]] was founded by Saint Constantine the Great. After him, it was destroyed by Julian the Apostate and in the 4th century the Emperor Theodosios the Great built the monastery, ruins which were found after archeological excavations.
 +
The monastery was eventually destroyed again by Arabs in 8th century and was rebuilt in late 9th century by three [[monk]]s: Athanasius, Nicholas, and Antonius, who were nobles from Edirne (Adrianople). They spoke with St. Anthanasius of Lavra which told them to rebuild the destroyed monastery of Vatopedi. 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 ==
 
==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 [[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 [[chapel]]s in and around the monastery proper, with five within the katholikon.  
 
*The Trapeza
 
*The Trapeza
 
*The Byzantine period clock tower
 
*The Byzantine period clock tower
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==Sketes of Vatopedi==
 
==Sketes of Vatopedi==
*The Greek [[skete]] of St. Demetrios
+
*The [[skete]] of St. Demetrios<ref>[https://asceticexperience.com/portfolio/skete-of-saint-demetrios-a-view-of-a-typical-monastic-settlement-on-mount-athos/ Skete of Saint Demetrios, Vatopedi monastery]</ref>
:The skete of St. [[Demetrios of Thessaloniki|Demetrios]] belongs to the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi and is a Greek idiorrhythmic skete, resembling a settlement and consists of 21 kalyvae, most of which are now in ruins. It is located in the mountains; a half hour walking distance from the Vatopedi monastery and has been operating as a skete since the 18th century. The "Kyriakon" is dedicated to St. Demetrios. It was built in the 12th century; it was renovated and later expanded and was frescoed in 1755.
+
:The skete of St. [[Demetrios of Thessaloniki|Demetrios]] belongs to the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi and is an idiorrhythmic skete, resembling a settlement and consists of 21 kalyvae, most of which are now in ruins. It is located in the mountains; a half hour walking distance from the Vatopedi monastery and has been operating as a skete since the 18th century. The "Kyriakon" is dedicated to St. Demetrios. It was built in the 12th century; it was renovated and later expanded and was frescoed in 1755.
  
*The Russian skete of St. Andrew in Karyes (or ''Serrai'')<ref>[http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/Monastery/vatopedi.html Macedonian Heritage]</ref>
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*The [[Skete of St. Andrew (Athos)|Skete of St. Andrew]] in [[Karyes (Athos)|Karyes]] (or ''Serrai'')<ref>[https://asceticexperience.com/portfolio/skete-saint-andrew-sarai/ Skete of Saint Andrew]</ref>
:The Russian skete of St. [[Apostle Andrew|Andrew]] is a huge building complex located on the road that connects Karyes with Daphne and follows a classic architectural paradigm of Athonian monasteries, i.e., it is surrounded by tall buildings overlooking an internal court.  
+
:The Skete of St. [[Apostle Andrew|Andrew]] is a huge building complex located on the road that connects Karyes with [[Daphne (Athos)|Daphne]] and follows a classic architectural paradigm of Athonian monasteries, i.e., it is surrounded by tall buildings overlooking an internal court.  
:It is called a skete because, according to the customs and the statute of Mount Athos, it is not possible to found new monasteries, besides the ones of the Byzantine era. It was built with the financial sponsorship of the Russian Czars, and many Russian monks practiced ascetic life here. Indeed, just before World War I, the skete was inhabited by approximately 700 monks. Nowadays five Greek monks reside here and have taken upon them to revive the skete and deal with the preservation of the icons and the maintenance of the premises.
+
:It is called a skete because, according to the customs and the statute of [[Mount Athos]], it is not possible to found new monasteries, besides the ones of the Byzantine era. It was built with the financial sponsorship of the Russian Czars, and many Russian [[monk]]s practiced [[asceticism|ascetic]] life here. Indeed, just before World War I, the skete was inhabited by approximately 700 monks. Nowadays five Greek monks reside here and have taken upon them to revive the skete and deal with the preservation of the [[icon]]s and the maintenance of the premises.
:The central church of the skete was built in 1867. It is the largest church on Athos, rising to 30m in height and extending to 60m in length. The [[relics]] of St. Andrew are kept in the interior of the church.
+
:The central church of the skete was built in 1867. It is the largest [[church]] on Athos, rising to 30m in height and extending to 60m in length. The [[relics]] of St. Andrew are kept in the interior of the church.
  
 
==Monastery treasures==
 
==Monastery treasures==
In addition to many [[relics]], the monastery possesses a library of over 10,000 printed books and about 1,700 manuscripts.
+
In addition to many [[relics]], the monastery possesses a library of over 40,000 printed books and about 2,077 manuscripts.  Relics include the Belt of the Virgin Mary (H Zoni ths Theotokou), which she gave to Thomas the Apostle during her transition to heaven.
  
 
==Iconography==
 
==Iconography==
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*[[Panagia Pantanassa]], the "Queen of All"
 
*[[Panagia Pantanassa]], the "Queen of All"
 
*[[Panagia Paramythea]]
 
*[[Panagia Paramythea]]
 +
*[[Panagia Antiphonitria]]
 
*[[Panagia Esfagmeni]]
 
*[[Panagia Esfagmeni]]
 
*[[Panagia Elaoivritissa]]
 
*[[Panagia Elaoivritissa]]
 
*[[Panagia Pyrovolitheisa]]
 
*[[Panagia Pyrovolitheisa]]
*[[Panagia Ktitorissa the Vymatarissa]]
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*[[Panagia Ktitorissa or Vymatarissa]]
 
==Saints==
 
==Saints==
 
List of "Vatopaidi" saints:
 
List of "Vatopaidi" saints:
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==External links==
 
==External links==
 +
*[https://asceticexperience.com/ The Ascetic Experience - a site maintained by the Vatopedi brotherhood]
 
*[http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/General/intro.html Athos monasteries]
 
*[http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/General/intro.html Athos monasteries]
 
*[http://www.culture.gr/2/21/212/21210a/e212ja02.html Greek Ministry of Culture]
 
*[http://www.culture.gr/2/21/212/21210a/e212ja02.html Greek Ministry of Culture]
*[http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/Monastery/vatopedi.html Macedonian Heritage]
+
*[http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/Monastery/Vatopedi.html Macedonian Heritage]
  
 
[[Category:Monasteries]]
 
[[Category:Monasteries]]

Latest revision as of 18:10, February 1, 2020

Holy Monastery of Vatopedi
Rank or attached monastery Second
Type of community Cenobitic Monastery
Founded 4th century by Theodosios the Great
Superior Elder Ephraim
Approx. size ~125 monks
Location Northeast
Liturgical language(s) Greek
Music used Byzantine chant
Feastdays celebrated Annunciation
The Monastery

The Monastery of Vatopedi (or Vatopaidi), (Greek: Βατοπέδι or Βατοπαίδι) is one of twenty monasteries on the Mount Athos peninsula and is located on the northeastern side of the peninsula. It operates as a coenobitic monastery(a communal monastic community). As of 1999, it is inhabited by 80 monks and is second in hierarchical rank among the monasteries of the mountain.

History

Some sources associate the name of "Vatopedi" with the flora of the surrounding countryside (vatos = shrub, pedion = plain or ground);[1] others point to a traditional story in which Emperor Theodosios 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).

The legend says that the monastery was founded by Saint Constantine the Great. After him, it was destroyed by Julian the Apostate and in the 4th century the Emperor Theodosios the Great built the monastery, ruins which were found after archeological excavations. The monastery was eventually destroyed again by Arabs in 8th century and was rebuilt in late 9th century by three monks: Athanasius, Nicholas, and Antonius, who were nobles from Edirne (Adrianople). They spoke with St. Anthanasius of Lavra which told them to rebuild the destroyed monastery of Vatopedi. 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 Byzantine period clock tower
  • The north-east tower which houses the monastery library (10th century)

Sketes of Vatopedi

The skete of St. Demetrios belongs to the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi and is an idiorrhythmic skete, resembling a settlement and consists of 21 kalyvae, most of which are now in ruins. It is located in the mountains; a half hour walking distance from the Vatopedi monastery and has been operating as a skete since the 18th century. The "Kyriakon" is dedicated to St. Demetrios. It was built in the 12th century; it was renovated and later expanded and was frescoed in 1755.
The Skete of St. Andrew is a huge building complex located on the road that connects Karyes with Daphne and follows a classic architectural paradigm of Athonian monasteries, i.e., it is surrounded by tall buildings overlooking an internal court.
It is called a skete because, according to the customs and the statute of Mount Athos, it is not possible to found new monasteries, besides the ones of the Byzantine era. It was built with the financial sponsorship of the Russian Czars, and many Russian monks practiced ascetic life here. Indeed, just before World War I, the skete was inhabited by approximately 700 monks. Nowadays five Greek monks reside here and have taken upon them to revive the skete and deal with the preservation of the icons and the maintenance of the premises.
The central church of the skete was built in 1867. It is the largest church on Athos, rising to 30m in height and extending to 60m in length. The relics of St. Andrew are kept in the interior of the church.

Monastery treasures

In addition to many relics, the monastery possesses a library of over 40,000 printed books and about 2,077 manuscripts. Relics include the Belt of the Virgin Mary (H Zoni ths Theotokou), which she gave to Thomas the Apostle during her transition to heaven.

Iconography

There are a number of miracle-working icons in the monastery. The best-known icons are:

Saints

List of "Vatopaidi" saints:

  • St. Joachim of Vatopaidi (John Patrikios, 1786-1868), known as "o Papoulakis" or "the Ithakian"; not to be confused with monk Christopher (Panagiotopoulos) known as "o Papoulakos" (1770-1861) or Evgenios from Tripopotama.

Reference

External links