Phiale at the Great Lavra

Photographer

Horlbeck, Frank R.

Date

• June 24, 1979

Summary

• This photo shows the phiale at the Great Lavra monastery. The phiale is a small covered structure that houses a water reservoir for liturgical or ceremonial use. This octagonal phiale is attached to the exo-narthex of the catholicon (main church) in the west facade. The ceiling of the phiale was painted in 1635 and includes even earlier sculpted parapets on the outside between the columns. The Great Lavra is the first coenobitic monastery established on Mount Athos. (Lavra means a monastic complex with a large population). The monastery was founded by St. Athanasius in 957 (with a chrysobull from Emperor Nikephorus Phokas).