Between the Great Lavra and the Iberian Monastery, on the northeastern side of Mount Athos, the pilgrim discovers the Karakalou Monastery on a lush slope, with an imposing defensive tower above its entrance. Its connection to Emperor Caracalla is most likely unfounded. The exact time of its founding remains unknown, and the first written reference to its existence in 1018 is found in a manuscript of the Protaton, which defines its borders.
Tradition insists on recognizing its founder as the monk Nicholas of the Karakallos family from Dimitsana. During the 13th century, the monastery suffered, along with others, from the raids of Catalan pirates and went into decline. In 1294, it received financial aid from Andronikos II Palaiologos and acquired dependencies outside of Mount Athos.
After being plundered by pirates in the 16th century, the Moldavian ruler John Petros Rares renovated it, built the Catholicon, and two fortification towers. In the mid-17th century, support from the Iberian ruler Archil and his brother George Vakhtang (1674) led it to great prosperity, with reports stating that its brotherhood reached 500 monks. During the 1821 Revolution, the monastery sided with the rebels. The monks recount that because Abbot Damaskinos gave a beautiful horse to the chieftain Tsami Karatasos, it cost him his expulsion from the monastery.
The Catholicon, a typical example of Athonite architecture, was built between 1548-1563 and is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. In 1710, the bell tower was added, and in 1714, the exterior narthex was constructed. The entrance of the church has wooden doors, created in 1592 by the monk Theophanes. The frescoes are dated to 1716 and were painted by hieromonks Ioannis and Damaskinos. Of significant artistic value is a portable icon of the Twelve Apostles in the iconostasis, created by the renowned Athonite painter Dionysios from Fourna (1722). Among other manuscripts, the library preserves a parchment lectionary from the 9th century containing the Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom and a four-Gospel manuscript with large-script writing.
In the harbor, the tower dominates, with its wall and battlements. The related inscription informs us: “Year 1534, the tower and the armakas (fortified storage) were completed.” The harbors for the monasteries were vital architectural complexes for their communication and maintenance.
Text: Dr. Antonios G. Dikaios / Theologian – Environmentalist.
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