It is also known as the Lavra of Athanasius. On the Cape Akra, on the southeastern side of the Mount Athos peninsula, and a seven-hour walk from the Karyes, stands the impressive building complex of the communal Monastery of Megisti Lavra. It is the oldest on Mount Athos and rightfully holds the first position in the hierarchy among the other twenty monasteries.
Its founder is Athanasius the Athonite, who built it in 963 with the encouragement and assistance of Emperor Nikephoros Phokas, who intended to retire to Mount Athos. This monk is considered one of the greatest figures of Orthodox communal monasticism. Tradition proudly states that the bronze gates of the church’s narthex were taken from the spoils of war by the emperor from the Saracens during the reconquest of Crete.
The Lavra received privileges from Nikephoros Phokas, which declared it an imperial monastery, made it independent of the local ecclesiastical authorities, and endowed it with an annual allowance of 244 gold coins. In the 11th century, the monastic complex, with a fortress-like character, housed 700 monks. Its prosperity throughout history is confirmed by the fact that from its brotherhood, 50 saints emerged, and 27 patriarchs and 145 bishops served the Church.
Athanasius supervised the construction of the catholicon, covering 600 square meters, as well as the cells, the hospital, the kitchen, and the aqueduct. The church was originally dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin, while after the 15th century, it has been dedicated to the feast of the Dormition of Saint Athanasius. Its architectural style is the complex cross-in-square with a dome, which came to be known as the “Athonite style” and is found in most Athonite monasteries. The frescoes of 1535 are the work of the famous Theophanes from Crete, while the marble iconostasis was crafted in 1870 by the Tinian artist Giannoulis Chalepas. In the courtyard, among the 37 chapels, there is the Church of the Virgin Kukouzelissa, with its beautiful 14th-century portable icon.
Throughout its thousand-year history, the monastery has been favored by the powerful figures of each era. Constantine IX, at the monks’ request, sent high-ranking palace officials to prevent its taxation by local authorities. In 1259, Michael VIII confirmed its property with a chrysobull and granted it the village of Toxombos. This policy was followed by Andronikos II. The monastery produced enlightened abbots such as Philotheos Kokkinos and Gregory Palamas. Its historical course continued with the raids of the Catalan Company and later with the occupation of Mount Athos by the Serbs and the brief presence of the Ottomans in 1387.
Many holy relics are preserved here, and in its famous treasuries, among numerous valuable artifacts, are the imperial pouch, crown, and Gospel of Nikephoros Phokas, handwritten Gospels, gifts from the Russian Tsars, Chinese porcelain, Italian plates, and weapons. The collection of portable icons exceeds 2,000. Its library, with 2,800 codices, hundreds of rare manuscripts, 8,000 documents, and 110,000 books from 1500 to the present, is ranked among the most important and wealthiest in the Orthodox world.
Text: Dr. Antonios G. Dikaios / Theologian – Environmentalist.
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