All posts by : admin

The contribution of the present brotherhood to the restoration of historic buildings and the construction of new ones is remarkable. Under the guidance of the Elder Alexios, from the very first moment that the new fraternity had settled in the Monastery in 1976 – and their number has since grown – they undertook the performance of infrastructure works with labour and care. Their contribution not only supports the Monastery's further development, but actively preserves its historical physical and spiritual heritage and gives it an appropriate radiance.

The tradition of noble patronage continued uninterruptedly in the late 18th century, with Greek rulers of Moldavia and Blachia, such as Alexandros Ypsilantis, Alexandros Mourouzis, Alexandros Kallimachis and Ioannis Karatzas.

Towards the end of the 15th century, the decisive contribution of the Christian rulers of Moldovlachia began, a patronage which lasted until the 18th century. The list is long: John Simon funded the fresco decoration of the refectory in 1496/7; the nobleman and leader Konstantine and his brother Radu provided considerable sums in the 16th century for fresco painting in the old cathedral; at the same time, the Lord of Lower Vlachia Nilkumanu and his wife Aga subsidized the painting of entrance nave. The list also includes generous contributions by the rulers Barbo Kraiovescu, Neagoe Basarab, the well-known sponsor of several Athonite monasteries Radu Serban, and Matthaius Basarab.

In June 1352, during the Serbian rule in Mount Athos and Macedonia, the Kral (Κing) Stefan Dusan issued a chrysobull in favour of the Xenofontos monastery. As a result, extensive construction work was carried out there.