The Monastery of St Demetrios

Three kilometres from the hotel, on the road from Stomio to Karitsa, the Monastery of the Dormition and St Demetrios stands 180 metres above the sea among springs and woods.

History

Founded in the 13th century as a Byzantine monastery dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, it took the name of St Demetrios in the 16th century, when monks from northern Greece settled here. During the Ottoman period it sheltered refugees and supported the fighters of the Greek Revolution, and at its peak it was home to up to 300 monks.

Elder Athanasios

Elder Athanasios served as abbot for 36 years, from 1960 until 2006. His preaching made the monastery known across Greece, and many visitors come to his tomb near the chapel of the Forty Martyrs.

Visiting

The monastery has a fortified character and beautiful icons of Christ Pantocrator and the Virgin Hodegetria. Hundreds of pilgrims gather for the feast of the Dormition on 15 August. Please dress modestly and check the opening days before you go.