Posts in category: Η Τράπεζα 2 – Διονυσίου

The sculptured pulpit (ambo) was made in 1727 by someone named Michael, at the expense of the hieromonk Nifon, as stated in an inscription. The ambo is used for readings during services on Sundays and holidays, while the rest of the time, the reader monk uses the portable pulpit (diskeli), in front of the Abbot's table. The icon of the founders, the saints Dionysios and Nifon, flanking the Baptist was added to the ambo in 1730.
Eat what is placed in front of you, my friend; and always keep yourself silent; feed the senses of your soul through the ear; hold your look down and your mind up; do not comment on the words you hear; silence befits monks in every activity, but even more while at the table.

The fresco of The Last Supper at the top of the niche clearly alludes to the common table of the monastic fraternity, with an equally clear reference to the Eucharist: Seated around the Abbot, the monastic community share the table as the disciples of Christ used to do with their teacher. Below The Last Supper, a number of important figures are depicted standing, from the left to right: the Saints John the Baptist, Nifon, Ioannis Chrysostom, Basilieos the Great, Grigorios the Theologian, Athanasios the Great and St Nikolaos. The latter five bishops are depicted wearing monks' habits. Frescoes depicting The Hospitality of Abraham, the Three Holy Children, and other allegories of the Holy Trinity decorate the smaller niches on both sides.