In 1941 a German scientific expedision visited Athos. Prof Dr Dölger published a book in 1942, with many black and white pictures (also see 599, 1399 and 1281).

Diamonitirion 1941

Today I will show the old pictures of the monasteries we plan to visit in three weeks, starting with Vatopediou (and Chilandariou, Sografou and Docheiariou).

Vatopedi, courtyard, seen from a high tower

Vatopedi, relic, the skull of St. Gregor of Nazianz (329-390), although Wikipedia tells another story about his remains

Vatopedi icon

Vatopedi most famous relic: the girdle of Mary, recently brought to Moscow

Chilandariou 1941

Chilandariou courtyard

Chilandriou – trapeza

Sografou 1941

Docheiariou 1941

Docheiariou, with a fresco of Paradise in the top

Docheiariou – fresco in the exonarthex

Docheiariou – trapeza

Wim, 4/9