The building complex of the Monastery as seen from above, with the Cathedral at its center.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral

The Cathedral, the centre of the life of the fraternity, is dedicated to John the Baptist, and is situated at the top of the rocky outcrop. It was rebuilt and decorated with frescoes in the period 1535-1547 with the support of the Voivode (Prince) of Moldavia, Petru Rares, because the original Byzantine church had been destroyed by fire. Two inscriptions testify to this significant sponsorship: One above the main door of the entrance nave, below the fresco of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, and the other on the south wall, below the portraits of the ruler and his family. One of the characteristics of the cathedral is the presence of two typikaria (i.e. polygonal structures) on the eastern corners flanking the sanctuary. In the 16th century, the renowned fresco painter Tzortzis decorated the walls of the cathedral with balanced compositions, reminiscent of the art of the Byzantine era. One may notice his rendering of tall holy figures, with quiet and thoughtful faces.
The building complex of the Monastery as seen from above, with the Cathedral at its center.
The Cathedral viewed from northeast.
Προηγούμενο
Επόμενο
Construction
The Akathist Chapel
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The tower as seen from the southwest.

Construction

Construction

The imposing complex of the Dionysiou Monastery was built on the rocky overcrop in two main construction phases. The first dates back to the time of its original founding by Saint Dionysios at the end of the 14th century, and was funded by Alexios III Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond. The second – and the most visible in the Monastery as it exists today – was the restoration and expansion of structures by the rulers of Wallachia and Moldavia in the 16th century. On the summit of the rocky outcrop stand the cathedral and the tower. The narrow central courtyard is protected by the surrounding wings and outer walls.
The Hellespont And Moldova
The Cathedral
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Οι κτήτορες, σύγχρονο ψηδιφωτό του Ν. Μαστερόπουλου στην είσοδο της μονής.

The Hellespont And Moldova

The Hellespont And Moldova

The monastery was founded by Saint Dionysios in 1374, and funded by Alexios III Komnenos, the Emperor of Trebizond. This established a long and rewarding relationship with Trebizond and the Hellespont (the Black Sea) area. Later in the 16th century, because of the spiritual influence of St Nifon, who was both a monk of the Monastery and also the Ecumenical Patriarch, the rulers of Wallachia and Moldavia (Neagoe Basarab and Petru Rares, respectively), assumed the role of new founders and funded the cost of restoration and expansion of the Monastery.
John The Baptist
Construction
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John The Baptist

John The Baptist

The Monastery of Dionysiou is dedicated to St John the Baptist, whose birthday is celebrated on 24 June. The katholikon (cathedral; central church) is also dedicated to the Baptist. The visitor 'feels' the presence of St John through frescoes, icons, and depictions of him on various objects, such as the wood-carved throne of the bishop. The patron saint is also mentioned in votive inscriptions, such as 'Baptist, accept this gift'. Yet, the most important element that evokes St John's presence inside the monastery is his precious relic: his right hand.
Icon of John the Baptist, 16th century.
The right hand of John the Baptist in the reliquary.
Small part of the relic of John the Baptist in the reliquary.
Προηγούμενο
Επόμενο
Aeropotamos
The Hellespont And Moldova
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The Dionysiou Monastery, the Arsanas (shipyard) and the torrent river.

Aeropotamos

Aeropotamos

Near the monastery, the torrent Aeropotamos ('River of Wind') forms a deep ravine, through which the cold northern air of the mountain travels. The waters of the river drain into the sea at the harbour of the Monastery (arsanas), which it has shaped over the years by depositing the sediments it carries. History has recorded its powerful floods that dramatically swept away people, gardens and buildings in its path.

Fortress
John The Baptist
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View of Dionysiou Monastery from the sea.

Fortress

Fortress

There are many examples in the geography of Christianity which show the preference of monasticism for high, difficult-to-reach, rocky places. The fact that the Dionysios Monastery is built on a large, rocky outcrop has shaped its character and architectural history and, of course, has played a role in the daily life of its monks. The complex has the architectural plan of a fortress, with solid, high-rising walls, narrow openings, and a tall tower. The courtyard is also narrow, and the buildings communicate internally. It is clear that this archaic type of architecture had the monks' safety as a priority, and their living comfort as a secondary consideration, and is another element which shapes the ascetic character of the monastery.

A Rocky Outcrop Above The Sea
Aeropotamos
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A Rocky Outcrop
Above The Sea

A Rocky Outcrop Above The Sea

On the west coast of the Agios Oros peninsula, at the spot where the steep slope of Mt. Antiathos abruptly plunges, the Dionysiou Monastery stands on the top of a rocky outcrop about 80 meters above the sea. According to tradition, in the 14th century St Dionysios chose this location to establish his monastery, which he dedicated to St John the Baptist. It was called the Monastery of Petra or Nea Petra, meaningfully similar to the names of both the famous monastery of St John the Baptist at Petra in Konstantinople, and the other great Petra on Agios Oros, that of St Simon.
Dionysiou Monastery at the feet of Anti-Athos mountain, with snowy Athos at the back.
View of Dionysiou Monastery from the sea.
Copper engraving of the Dionysiou Monastery, Vienna 1780
Προηγούμενο
Επόμενο
Fortress
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ΠΡΟΤΥΠΟ POST

ΕΚΛΕΚΤΙΚΑ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ

Η τεχνοτροπία του σπουδαίου καλλιτέχνη είναι ιδιαίτερη, γιατί ενώ είναι σαφέστατα ενήμερος για τα χαρακτηριστικά και των δύο καλλιτενικών τάσεων της εποχής, της λεγόμενης Κρητικής σχολής και της γνωστής ως σχολής της βορειοδυτικής Ελλάδος, διατηρεί ανεξάρτητη στάση. Χρησιμοποιεί εκλεκτικά στοιχεία των δύο ρευμάτων και τα συνδυάζει δίνοντας έμφαση στη ζωηρή αντίθεση φωτός και σκιάς, που ίσως είναι προσωπικό του χαρακτηριστικό, ίσως όμως εγγράφεται σε κάποιο τρίτο ρεύμα. Από παλιά συσχετίζεται με τον ζωγράφο Αντώνιο του παλιού καθολικού της Ιεράς Μονής Ξενοφώντος.
Τοιχογραφίες στο Παρεκκλησι
Τοιχογραφίες στο Παρεκκλησι
Τοιχογραφίες στο Παρεκκλησι