It is located on the northeastern side of Athos, between the monasteries of Iviron and Pantokratoros. Founded on a large steep rock overlooking the Strymonic Gulf, it flourished mainly in the post-Byzantine years. Although it is the smallest monastery on the Mount, its fortress-like character, with its defensive tower and the arched piers of the aqueduct, form an impressive architectural ensemble. The aqueduct was constructed at the expense of the ruler of Wallachia, Serban Cantacuzino (1679-1688).
The origins of its establishment date back to the 10th or 11th century. Tradition speaks of its founder, a certain Niketas or Stauroniketas Nikiforos, an officer of Tzimiskes, or says that near it there were once the sketes of the Cross and of Niketas. However, the first mention of this monastery appears in a document from 1013. In the 13th century, it suffered damage from pirate raids, was abandoned by the monastic brotherhood, and in 1287 came under the jurisdiction of the Koutloumousiou monastery. In 1533, Gregory from the monastery of Gheromeiri bought Stauronikita from Filotheou and revived it.
The Catholicon, built in 1541 and dedicated to Saint Nicholas, is linked to an important milestone in its history when Patriarch Jeremiah I contributed to its reopening. Due to a lack of space, it is the only one that does not have the characteristic of Athonite church architecture, the lateral semicircular apses of the two choir sections for the chanters. The frescoes, the icons from the iconostasis, and the templon doors are from 1546. They are excellent examples of the art of Theophanes Strelitza from Heraklion, Crete. The monastery also has an excellent mosaic of Saint Nicholas of Strida, dating from the 16th century.
Text: Dr. Antonios G. Dikaios / Theologian – Environmentalist.
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