Baptism of Christ at the new catholicon of Xenophontos

Photographer

Horlbeck, Frank R.

Date

• June 5, 1999

Summary

• Interior view of the new catholicon or communal church at the monastery of Xenophontos. This photograph shows a fresco of the Baptism (or Theophany) of Christ. Saint John the baptism (St. John the Forerunner) and Christ feature three times in this narrative composition. The fresco work at the new catholicon is very recent in comparison with the rest of the building. The new catholicon was built between 1809-1819 and is the largest on Mount Athos. The monastery was founded in 998 by the Blessed Xenophon. Most buildings originally date to the constructions during the 11th century under the Abbot Symeon with the help of Emperor Nikephoros III (1078-1081) but have undergone renovations since.