The Holy Monastery of Pantocrator is built by the sea, on the eastern side of Mount Athos and is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord. The catholicon (central church) is an example of athonite architecture with 14th century frescoes, that have been painted during 1845.
The monastery has fifteen chapels with the Dormition of the Theotokos being the most significant. Among the cells of the monastery, the most distinguished are the Staff bearer’s or Ravdouchou located in Karyes, dating probably around the 10 century, and the Dormition of the Theotokos, also named “Axion Esti”, where the eponymous miraculous icon found in Mount Athos’ capital, Karyes, came from.
Prophet Elijah’s skete also belongs to the monastery. Its founders were two Byzantine dignitaries, Alexios and Johannes, who in the middle 14th century became monks in a cell that with emperor John V Palaeologus’s help was transformed into a monastery.
After the Fall of Constantinople, it was financially supported by princes of the Danubian principalities. Two disastrous fires took place, one in 1773 and the other in 1948.
The monastery has a large collection of portable icons, sacred vessels and relics, while in its library 350 manuscripts and over 3,500 books are kept. A fraternity of 25 monks lives in Pantocrator’s.
Congratulation!