In post 1627 I showed you the exterior of the “forgotten” kelli of Agiou Onoufriou. Today I will show the pictures I took inside. The backdoor was not locked but could simply be opened by removing an iron wire. The kelli seemed abandoned. The Russians that once lived there left the building at least a couple of decades ago, concerning the state of maintainance and decay.
Before entering the groundfloor of the building through the side door I had a look through the windows, where a small church/chapel could be seen with an iconostasis and several church chairs.
When entering the building I made three meters: I saw the chapel on my left hand (helas a blurry picture):
To my surprize the chapel looked well kept and maybe still in use, because there is a carpet on the floor, two standards for portable icons, four holders for candle’s and even a piece of cloth that is used during service. The small icons were not painted but photographs and were not of any value, but the ones in the iconostasis were beautiful and handpainted.
The doors in the iconostasis with the Last Supper above them. On the doors six lively and expressive pictures of Petrus, Jesus, and two Holy females, on the right probably the Panaghia and on the left an angel holding flowers. The free style of this icon/painting is extraordinary and this quality I have seldom seen before on Athos.
On the right side of the iconostasis you can see three large painted icons, from left to right Jezus, an unknown Saint and Saint Nicolas. Look at the fine candle holders! Details of six small images above the three large icons are absent.
Left of the central doors of the iconostasis again three large icons, starting with the Panaghia with the child Jezus, a Saint, probably of the doctor Panteleimonos with a red cross, and a third Holy Saint, could it be Saint Peter?
When I turned around I saw this wood stove to heat the room and some chairs (and big cracks in the wall!).
After leaving the chapel I looked at the left and this wooden standard. The floors did not feel save and I was worried to fall through,so I walked step by step.
This is the hallway on the ground floor that lead to the main entrance, which was locked. On both sides three rooms could be found, the first room on my left hand looked like this:
A dirty sleeping room with a stove, and a bed with matras. See how thick the walls of the building are!
I decided to have look on the second floor. Climbing the wooden stairs was again a harzardous enterprize, because I was afraid to fall through the steps. And only my friend in Karakalou knew that I visiting this place, whilst the battery level in my iPhone was becoming dangerously low, so it was a bit scary.
But on arriving on the first the last thing I expected to see was this overwhelmingly large and beautiful church with a golden iconostasis, decorated with numerous icons!
The golden iconostasis in the church on the first floor.
Looking up to the dome I saw these fine murals, with Jezus, God and the Holy Spirit in the center, surrounded by eight Saints, and four Saints surrounding them. Unfortuanately the picture is too blurry to distinguish more details. Maybe the picture below is a little better:
Looking back above the entrance of the church, I saw a cracked ceiling with a large dove – the Holy Spirit – painted on it.
Let’s have a closer look at the icons in the iconostasis, beginning the ones next to the central doors:
Right of the doors: a Jesus icon with a silver coating
Left of the central doors: the Panaghia with the child Jesus, with a gold cover. Both are protected by glass.
On the left door in the iconostasis I saw this outstanding icon of a female angel, in fine purple and light blue colors, holding flowers in her right hand.
On the far right on the outside wall an icon of three Saints, again covered with gold.
On the right side of the iconostasis: an angel with sword and shield, Michael?
At the far end: an icon of two Athonite fathers(?), Peter and Athanasios?
Above the central doors: more fine icons, with…
the last supper in detail.
The right side of the iconostasis, with the baptism of Jesus by John the Forerunner in the middle.
The left side of the iconostasis, with more scenes from the bible (the annunciation).
On the left on the outside wall next to a window: a large golden icon seven Holy Saints.
This almost ends the pictures of the interior: next time I will show you the remaining.
Wim, 24/9
Greetings! I visited this Kelli in October 2000 with a monk from Philotheou. At that time there were 2 monks living there, a hieromonk and his disciple. I will never forget the impression in my soul when I first entered the church.
First, Wim thanks very much for these very interesting pictures. Second, because the kelli is fully known as “Agion Petrou kai Onoufriou” I think the icon you think represents Peter and Athanasios, depicts the ascetics Peter and Onofriou. They share the same feast-day: June 12. Also, the kelli (or another building on the same spot) was formerly called Skiti Magoula. Please see your own blog nr 795 from May 10th, 2009. See also http://agioritikesmnimes.blogspot.gr/2014/09/5307.html (Greek).
The monk from Philotheou, and the priest living in the kelli both told me that the long bearded ascetics in the icon are indeed St Onuphrious and St Peter. The priest encouraged me to read their lives and to pray to these particular saints for their protection and blessing.
If you ever get back that way, it would be great to see a detailed photo essay with sharp photos. What an amazing place. Thanks for posting…