In post 1922 I showed you the pictures from the exterior of this ruined Russian settlement, that is located near the Maroudá cell (green pin) -see the red arrow on the map above. Today we will take a closer look inside the kyriakon.
The door to the kyraikon, with stairs to the first floor, where the main church is situated.
Not only the debris that covers the stairs makes it a dangerous place to be: you’ll have to be aware not step on a rotten floor or fall in a hole!
The main church: the interior is typical for the Russian architecture on Athos: the walls are painted white, although I found a few paintings just beneath the dome:
the dome
A Saint or disciple writing with pen and paper, with a cow next to him
Ioannis Chrysostomos(?), also with pen and paper
A Saint a large beard and in a white cloth, with a book in his hand (and wings behind him?)
This is what Bertinos comments about the paintings (thanks!):
The first painting is indeed of the Evangelist Luke (with a winged bull), the second one is the Evangelist John (with an eagle), and the third one either (likely) the Evangelist Mark (with a winged lion) or Matthew (with an angel), but the photograph is to unclear to figure that out.On the floor I found many pieces of paper, almost lost forever because of their state of decay
This piece of paper reveiled a picture. When I took a closer look I discovered a picture of the building I was standing in!
The kellion of St. John Chrysostomos, seen almost from the same angle as the postcard below!
The complete “leaflet” from 1907 with its Russian text:
The entrance to the church and the stairways in the background (with Efrem and Jizte). Above them a balcony, that I did not visit because of the danger of collapsing.
A door to a room next to the church
A window in this room, that contained a special cubboard:
The ossuary!
More skulls in a niche
With bones piled up in a cubboard.
Two windows in the side roomThe green “European” jungle outside is trying to conquer the building
A wooden pilar and ceiling
The stairs to the second floor and the balcony: I did not try to go there!
Going down the ground floor
The church seen through a hole, from the ground floor
Me cautious leaving the building.
After the visit to this ruin Efrem took us further on a exiting walk through the green jungle of Kapsala. Next time a few pictures of this hike!
Wim Voogd, 1th of July (photo’s also by Tadeus and Jitze)

Wim, 4/2/2020
The Saint with a cow is the Holy Evangelist Lucas (as might be seen in the text next to him). The four Evangelists are pictured in the four corners, but I cannot read the Russian texts, John, Marc en Matthew.
So you also see Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Matthew (wings).
The complete “leaflet” with its Russian text:
Writings of Saint John Chrysostom
Commentary on the Gospel of Saint Matthew
Homily VII
Edition of the kellion of St. John Chrysostom on Mt. Athos
The first painting is indeed of the Evangelist Luke (with a winged bull), the second one is the Evangelist John (with an eagle), and the third one either (likely) the Evangelist Mark (with a winged lion) or Matthew (with an angel), but the photograph is to unclear to figure that out.
Wonderful photo essay…would like to see that place someday.