dionysios1λ

Pillage And Last Visit
To Trebizond

Pillage And Last Visit To Trebizond

Dionysios again visited Trebizond in 1377 to collect the rest of the imperial donation, but when he returned, he found that the monastery had been plundered by pirates. The monks were scattered around the surrounding mountains, where they had fled to save themselves. Dionysios did not quit; rather, he gathered them again and continued building the complex and, of course, the walls that would protect them from similar invasions. He also visited Trebizond a third time, where he died in 1390 at the age of 72.
The Power Of My Sovereignty Commands
Monk, Calligrapher, Patriarch, And Teacher
Return
Saint Dionysios the Founder. Portable icon, 20th century.

The Power Of My
Sovereignty Commands

The Power Of My Sovereignty Commands

'In truth, he has put in my soul divine desire and love and zeal, and with all of his being he motivated me to the work. Therefore, the serene power of my sovereignty commands with its present chrysobull and undertakes the construction of this monastery of Saint John the Baptist and promises to cover all the costs of erecting the church, the walls, the monks' cells and the aqueduct, in order to establish a complete monastery, in which I shall have the memorial'...
Saint Dionysios the Founder. Portable icon, 20th century.
Detail from the copper engraving of founder Alexios III Komninos (work of N. Masteropoulos).
Προηγούμενο
Επόμενο
Intimate Respect
Pillage And Last Visit To Trebizond
Return
Saint Dionysios, owner of Dionysiou Monastery. Portable icon, 20th century.

Intimate Respect

Intimate Respect

'This holy father had already been able to build a fort on the feet of Little Athos [Anti-Athos], where Astropotamos runs, near the place called Vouleuteria. And it was the Elder's purpose to build in it a monastery dedicated to St John the Baptist, and walls, and cells for the stay of those who practiced with him. However, though he had completed the fortress, the monastery had not yet begun, when he came in a fortunate coincidence and told me everything, and I was interested in it, as I said. When my sovereignty saw the modesty of the man, the grace, the simplicity, the innocence, the full and extreme joy, he loved and accepted him and embraced him and received him as sent by God; I let his words dwell in me, dew to my soul.'
Constant Seeking Of Salvation
The Power Of My Sovereignty Commands
Return
Saint Dionysios, owner of the monastery of Dionysiou. Portable icon, 18th century.

Constant Seeking
Of Salvation

Constant Seeking Of Salvation

While he was talking to my sovereignty, he did not seek money or a way to pay pleasures in life, as some do, but he immediately began to guide me and advertise to me the path of salvation:
'Everyone,' he said, 'among those who are known as right kings and leaders, built monasteries and made tributes on Mount Athos for their everlasting memorial service. So you too, if you overcome many, make an appropriate addition so that you have the same memorial service and endless joy of your soul.
Dressed In Rags, Quiet And-Happy
Intimate Respect
Return
St Dionysius next to St Savvas, depicted in the copper engravings of the Cathedral, 16th century.

Dressed In Rags,
Quiet And-Happy

Dressed In Rags, Quiet And-Happy

'Such a person was presented now in our lands: the good father and servant of God and the hieromonk, particularly respected, master Dionysios. He came from Mount Athos to see my own shepherd and of the entire big city of Trebizond, and his own brother, master Theodosius. Hence, he appeared before my sovereignty, dressed in rags, quiet and happy, as the retreatants are accustomed to, saying little, as the recluses do, but beneficial and salvific, all with genuine humility. I saw in him an angel sent by God, who brings the good message of salvation. By imitating Christ, he did not testify for himself, but as for Him the Father, so was his inner peace, his joyful face, and his insuperable virtues. One would say that after Athanasius was given from Trebizond to Athos, now Dionysios is offered back from Athos to Trebizond.'
The Emperor Tells The Story
Constant Seeking Of Salvation
Return
Copper engraving of the founder Alexios III Komninos with his wife Theodora.

The Emperor Tells The Story

The Emperor Tells The Story

In September 1374, Alexios III the Great Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond, donated a very large sum to the Monastery – 100 somia (about 134,000 'aspra', or silver coins) – and ensured a continued flow of funding by setting the sum of 1000 aspra as an annual contribution to be made by him and his successors. In his founding chrysobull (i.e. imperial edict with a golden seal), he explains his motives and narrates the story himself:
... those who from a tender age have devoted themselves to God, and whose name is recorded in the heavens, and who entered into a rock for a house, climbing to the steep top of the mountain of virtues, from where they bring help, because they come from God, we have to welcome them and to give them the honor and hospitality we owe. For whoever loves them and receives them, puts in his house and hosts the Christ himself, who sent them.
Dressed In Rags, Quiet And-Happy
Return

Two Byzantine Officers

Two Byzantine Officers

The Monastery of Pantokratoros (‘Christ, the Almighty Ruler’) was founded by two brothers, both high-ranking officers of Byzantium, at the difficult time when the Empire was in a state of decline. Alexis held the title of Great Primikerios (Μέγας Πριμικήριος; the 11th level of authority in the imperial hierarchy), and Ioannis held the title of Πρωτοσέβαστος (‘The First Respected’) in honour of his conquest of the Serbs in the lower valley of the Strymona River including Chrysoupolis, and his annexation of 15 kilometres of coastline west of today’s Kabalas from the Ottomans of Anaktoropolis, thereby also securing the island of Thasos.
In March 1357, the Emperor Ioannis V granted the brothers’ request: He transferred the administration of the areas they had conquered to them, including the taxes derived from them, which in effect marked the beginning of the founding of the Monastery. Between April and June of the same year, both brothers were promoted by the Emperor: Alexios to the position of Commander of the Military (μέγας στρατοπεδάρχης), while Ioannis was awarded the former rank of his brother and became Great Primikerios. The local inhabitants referred to the brothers as ‘our own true saints’.
Alexis, who was probably unmarried, died between March 1368 and February 1369, and was buried on the grounds of the Monastery. Ioannis, who was married to Anna Asanina, a close relative of the Emperor, continued to support the Monastery on his own and in 1384, obviously after the death of his wife, he took up residence there as a monk.
Ο Χριστός Παντοκράτωρ στην είσοδο της Μονής.
Ο κτήτορας Ιωάννης πριμικήριος, λεπτομέρεια από την εικόνα του Παντκράτορα στο Μουσείο Ερμιτάζ, 1366.
The Monastery has proudly stood at the top of the rocky overhang for centuries.
Προηγούμενο
Επόμενο
A Personal Declaration
Return
The tower from the inner precinct of the Monastery.

The Tower

The Tower

The defensive tower, almost 24-meters high, is one of the most impressive in Agios Oros. The compact, rock-bearing, square structure has four floors, two of which are vaulted, and the walls are two-meters thick on all sides. On the third floor, there are machicolations, from where the defending monks threw hot water or oil on the attacking pirates, and around the roof there are ramparts to shield the defenders. The tower was built in 1520 by the Wallachian Voivode (Prince) Neagoe Basarb, according to the well-crafted dedicatory inscription that is visible on its southern side.
The tower from the inner precinct of the Monastery.
The tower as seen from the southwest.
Προηγούμενο
Επόμενο
The Refectory
Return
The south extension of the refectory with the abbot's throne, 16th century.

The Refectory

The Refectory

The refectory (or dining hall) is located south of the cathedral. The two buildings are connected by a gallery, as the architectural plan allows for easy access from one point to another, always an important consideration in the everyday life of a monastery. The gallery houses the well-known fresco of the Apocalypse, which is described in detail later. The wide rectangular space immediately inside the entrance of the refectory dates to its Byzantine phase, while the rectangular extension that ends in the niche reserved for the Abbot is a 16th-century addition. The frescoes were made in different phases by two painters, and consist of themes relating to monastic life and the final judgement, scenes from the lives of saints, and portrayals of distinguished holy monks looking down into the space of the dining monks. The refectory of Dionysiou monastery is a place full of meaning, which is explored in detail in a different part of the tour.
The older part of the refectory, towards the east.
The south extension of the refectory with the abbot's throne, 16th century.
Προηγούμενο
Επόμενο
The Akathist Chapel
The Tower
Return
The holy mary of The Akathist

The Akathist Chapel

The Akathist Chapel

The chapel of Panagia of the Akathist Hymn is located to the north of the entrance nave. Its dome rests directly on the outer walls. It hosts the most valuable icon of the Monastery, which is considered to be the oldest miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary on the Mount Athos: Panagia of the Akathist. The features of the icon are concealed by the myrrh that it emits from time to time. Tradition connects it with the siege of Konstantinople by the Persians and the Avars in 626, and the composition of the the Akathist Hymn, the well-known poem of gratitude that was then dedicated to the Virgin Mary for her help. A great wealth of narratives has survived on its miraculous interventions.
The Cathedral
The Refectory
Return