Manuscript at the Pantocrator Monastery

Photographer

Horlbeck, Frank R.

Date

• May 29, 1997

Summary

• Manuscript folio with illuminations. This manuscript contains the Gospels. Saint Luke is depicted on the folio on the left. It is located at the monastery's library (on the second floor of the tower) which contains several thousand printed books, and approx. 400 manuscripts. The monastery of Pantocrator was recognized as a monastery in the mid-14th century. Before then it was a loosely knit center of kelli (‘cells’ or monastic living quarters). Its founders are Alexios and Ioannis who were supported by their relative John V Palaiologos. The monastery also enjoyed later endowments from Manuel II Palaiologos, and (after the fall of Constantinople) the Danubian princes. The monastery suffered a devastating fire in 1773 and its reconstruction was aided by the financial support of Catherine the Great of Russia. The tower dates back to the monastery’s foundation aside from a few repairs. Most other buildings have been largely or completely renovated. The catholicon or communal church was consecrated in 1362-3 by Patriarch Kallistos I, but it bears later additions. The refectory opposite the catholicon was renovated in 1744. The monastery ranks seventh of the twenty on Mount Athos.