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.
