In 2007 we visited the skete for the first time (see 159) and in those days it was not possible for a non-orthodox pilgrim to sleep there. But recently we heared that the conditions did change and this summer we could make a reservation for an overnight sleep (call 0030 23770 23304). The only restriction is that you can make a reservation for maximum two persons.

Skiti Profitou Eliou September 1st 2014

We were welcomed by the friendly monk/archondaris Filemon, who we first met 7 years ago in 2007. “It is 2 years ago that we first met, isn’t it Jeltsin,” he asked in his humorous way of speaking. After the glas of tsipourou we were asked to find a room ourselves, but first we could visit the church, also by opening it ourselves .On this visit he did not oppose to be photographed, see picture above: Filemon and Jeltsin/Jitze.

The key to the main church and opening the door

The interior, Russian style

The iconostasis with 2000 kg of gold

The wonderworking icon of Panaghia with offerings

          Two cases with relics of different holy men

Icon of Christ Pantocrator

The well in the courtyard, the place were tsiporou or coffee is served

The church, build in 1900

The Southern side of the courtyard

The Northern side: under the balcony on the right there is an entrance to a smaller church, where the monks do their dayly services

The smaller church in the North wing of the main building

Icons in the small church, with one very fine of the panaghia and child Jezus

Dinner after church: an icon outside the trapeza

Dinner: artichoke, carrots, patatoes in olive oil: bread, olives and salad

Leaving the skete to the archondariki/guesthouse

Above the main gate

The church and clocktower, seen from outside the skete

the faccade of the skete, left to the entrance

Opposite of this building, the guesthouse.

The view towards the sea and Pantocratoros, with old artefacts of the skete scattered around.

Wim, 29/10