Fresco of Comneni at Agia Theotokos, Trebizond

The Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery ( gr, Παναγία Θεοσκέπαστος, "

Panagia Panagia ( el, Παναγία, fem. of , + , the ''All-Holy'', or the ''Most Holy''; pronounced ) (also transliterated Panaghia or Panajia), in Medieval and Modern Greek, is one of the titles of Mary, mother of Jesus, used especially in Eastern ...

the God-guarded"), today known in

Turkish Turkish may refer to: *a Turkic language spoken by the Turks * of or about Turkey ** Turkish language *** Turkish alphabet ** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation *** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey *** Turkish communities and mi ...

as Kızlar Monastery, is a former female monastery built during the

Empire of Trebizond The Empire of Trebizond, or Trapezuntine Empire, was a monarchy and one of three successor rump states of the Byzantine Empire, along with the Despotate of the Morea and the Principality of Theodoro, that flourished during the 13th through to t ...

. It lies at the foot of Boztepe mountain over looking the city of

Trabzon Trabzon (; Ancient Greek: Tραπεζοῦς (''Trapezous''), Ophitic Pontic Greek: Τραπεζούντα (''Trapezounta''); Georgian: ტრაპიზონი (''Trapizoni'')), historically known as Trebizond in English, is a city on the Bl ...

. The monastery complex built on two terraces, is surrounded by a protective high wall. The monastery was founded in the reign of Alexios III (1349–1390). Having undergone major repairs several times it assumed its present form in the 19th century. The monastery initially comprised the rock church on the south side the

chapel A chapel is a Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. Firstly, smaller spaces inside a church that have their own altar are often called chapels; the Lady chapel is a common ty ...

in its entrance and a few cells. Inside the rock church there are inscriptions and portraits of Alexios III, his wife

Theodora Theodora is a given name of Greek origin, meaning "God's gift". Theodora may also refer to: Historical figures known as Theodora Byzantine empresses * Theodora (wife of Justinian I) ( 500 – 548), saint by the Orthodox Church * Theodora of ...

and his mother

Irene Irene is a name derived from εἰρήνη (eirēnē), the Greek for "peace". Irene, and related names, may refer to: * Irene (given name) Places * Irene, Gauteng, South Africa * Irene, South Dakota, United States * Irene, Texas, United Stat ...

Özhan Öztürk Özhan Öztürk (born 1968) is a Turkish writer and researcher. He wrote a Turkish Folklore Encyclopaedia and an encyclopaedic dictionary of the culture and folklore of the peoples of the Black Sea region of Turkey. Works * ''Karadeniz Ans ...

. Article from Karalahan
Trabzon imparatorlarının kemikleri belediye mezarlığına mı gömülecek?
(tr)

Gallery

File:Trabzon Kizlar Monastery 4845.jpg, Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery aka Kızlar Manastırı File:Trabzon Kizlar Monastery 4849.jpg, Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery aka Kızlar Manastırı File:Trabzon Kızlar Manastırı 4813.jpg, Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery aka Kızlar Manastırı File:Trabzon Kızlar Manastırı 4848.jpg, Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery aka Kızlar Manastırı File:Trabzon Kizlar Monastery 4830.jpg, Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery aka Kızlar Manastırı Fresco File:Trabzon Kizlar Monastery 4827.jpg, Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery aka Kızlar Manastırı Fresco File:Trabzon Kizlar Monastery 4819.jpg, Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery aka Kızlar Manastırı File:Trabzon Kizlar Monastery 4817.jpg, Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery aka Kızlar Manastırı

Notes and references

Greek Orthodox monasteries in Turkey Archaeological sites in the Black Sea Region Religious museums in Turkey Empire of Trebizond Buildings and structures in Trabzon Ruined churches in Turkey Museums in Trabzon Province Byzantine church buildings in Turkey Christian monasteries established in the 14th century 1376 establishments in Asia {{Christian-monastery-stub