The Holy Monastery of Saint Gregory ( el, Ιερά Μονή Οσίου Γρηγορίου), also known as Gregoriou Monastery ( el, Μονή Γρηγορίου) is an
Orthodox Christian
Orthodoxy (from Greek: ) is adherence to correct or accepted creeds, especially in religion.
Orthodoxy within Christianity refers to acceptance of the doctrines defined by various creeds and ecumenical councils in Antiquity, but different Churche ...
monastery
A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...
in the monastic state of
Mount Athos
Mount Athos (; el, Ἄθως, ) is a mountain in the distal part of the eponymous Athos peninsula and site of an important centre of Eastern Orthodox monasticism in northeastern Greece. The mountain along with the respective part of the penins ...
in
Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...
. The Monastery ranks seventeenth in the hierarchy of the Athonite monasteries. It is built by the sea, on the southeastern side of the peninsula, neighboring the monasteries of Simonopetras and Dionysiou. Gregoriou is very much a pilgrim friendly monastery with a strong sense of pastoral care. Pilgrim visitors are numerous and well provided for. The Monastery is completely girt by the sea, built on a corner of land jutting into the sea, with only steep craggy rocks backed up behind it.
History
The Monastery was founded in 1310 by Saint Gregory the Hesychast (Dec. 7), a Serbian monk that dwelled in a cave, which still exists, about 20 minutes up from the Monastery. He dedicated the Monastery and the main church to
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas of Myra, ; la, Sanctus Nicolaus (traditionally 15 March 270 – 6 December 343), also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of Greeks, Greek descent from the maritime city of Myra in Asia Minor (; modern-da ...
the Wonderworker (Dec. 6). Saint Anastasia of Rome (Oct. 29) is officially considered the third patron saint of the Monastery, due to her holy relics that are kept there and the many miracles she performs.
Gregoriou Monastery had burnt down twice, first in 1496 and later in 1761. After the second fire, reconstruction began almost immediately. This is today's "old courtyard", consisting of the main church of St. Nicholas and most of the surrounding buildings. Due to an increase of monks since then, extensions have been added. The first entrance, following courtyard and surrounding buildings were added in 1892, and the new five story wing located east of the main church was added in 1997. Restorations are always in progress in order to maintain the monastery as functional for the life of the brothers and pilgrims.
By the end of the 15th century, according to the Russian pilgrim Isaiah, the monastery was half Greek and half Slav.
As of 2020, the brotherhood consists of over 90 monks. The Monastery is known for its involvement and contributions to theological dialogues, and for its many publications of theological and pastoral books. One way the brothers support themselves is through their handicrafts. They produce high quality traditional Athonite incense, and natural handmade olive oil soap.
The monastery holds about 300 manuscripts, of which 11 are on parchment, and it has approximately 20,000 printed books.
Notable people
*Abbot Vissarion of Gregoriou (d. 1974)
*Archimandrite (1935–8 June 2014), Abbot of Grigoriou Monastery from 1974 to 2014
References
External links
Official websiteGregoriou monastery at the Mount Athos website
Holy Monastery of Gregoriou
Greek Ministry of Culture
YouTube videos of Pascha 2020 at Gregoriou Monastery
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Christian monasteries established in the 14th century
Monasteries on Mount Athos
Greek Orthodox monasteries
Byzantine monasteries in Greece