The Karakallou Monastery ( el, Μονή Καρακάλλου) is an
Eastern Orthodox
Eastern Orthodoxy, also known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Protestantism.
Like the Pentarchy of the first millennium, the mainstream (or " canonical ...
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 whi ...
at the monastic state of
Mount Athos 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 ...
. It stands on the south-eastern side of the peninsula and ranks eleventh in the hierarchy of the Athonite monasteries. The monastery has 50 working monks, and its library holds 330 manuscripts, and about 3,000 printed books.
History
It was founded in the 11th century. In the 13th century, as a result of the activity of pirates and Latins, Karakallou was totally deserted.
By the end of the 15th century according to the Russian pilgrim Isaiah, the monastery was Albanian.
The monastery was rebuilt in the 16th century by Moldavian ''voievod''
Peter IV Rareș.
Nearby sites
Located near Karakallou Monastery, the , or Mylopotamos, is a
kathisma
A kathisma (Greek: κάθισμα; Slavonic: каѳисма, ''kai-isma''), literally, "seat", is a division of the Psalter, used in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Rite Catholic churches. The word may also describe a hymn sung at Matins, a ...
(cell) belonging to the Monastery of
Great Lavra
The Monastery of Great Lavra ( el, Μονή Μεγίστης Λαύρας) is the first monastery built on Mount Athos. It is located on the southeastern foot of the Mount at an elevation of . The founding of the monastery in AD 963 by Athanasi ...
. It was founded by St. Athanasius to serve as a place of
convalescence
Convalescence is the gradual recovery of health and strength after illness or injury. It refers to the later stage of an infectious disease or illness when the patient recovers and returns to previous health, but may continue to be a source of ...
for monks. It is a complex with a defensive tower and vineyards.
Patriarch Joachim III of Constantinople
Joachim III the Magnificent ( el, Ιωακείμ Γ' ο Μεγαλοπρεπής; 30 January 1834 – 26 November 1912) was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1878 to 1884 and from 1901 to 1912.
Joachim was born in Istanbul in 183 ...
, also rested here in the 19th century. Today it is used as a winery and is known for its excellent quality wine.
References
External links
Karakallou monastery at Mount Athos
{{Authority control
Christian monasteries established in the 11th century
Monasteries on Mount Athos
Greek Orthodox monasteries
Byzantine monasteries in Greece