Interior of the Catholicon at Pantocrator

Photographer

Horlbeck, Frank R.

Date

• June 21, 1994

Summary

• Interior view of the catholicon or communal church of the Pantocrator Monastery. The photograph shows the doorway that separates the nave of the church from the narthex. Beyond the doorway, the iconostasis or icon screen (1640) can be seen. The painting program of the original 14th-century church was covered by new paintings in 1854 by Matthaios Ioannou of Naoussa. 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.