Category Archives: 01 Lavra

2003 – Aural icons of Orthodoxy

Posted on June 14, 2018 by

Aural icons of Orthodoxy, that is what the semantrons of Mount Athos are. Despite the differences between the monasteries and sketes they have several things in common. Among them the semantron, an essential tool to announce to call the monks … Continue reading →

Posted in 01 Lavra, 02 Vatopedi, 03 Iviron, 04 Chilandariou, 05 Dionysiou, 06 Koutloumousiou, 07 Pantocratoros, 08 Xiropotamou, 09 Sografou, 10 Docheiariou, 11 Karakallou, 12 Filotheou, 13 Simonos Petras, 14 Paulou, 15 Stavronikita, 16 Xenofontos, 17 Grigoriou, 18 Esfigmenou, 19 Panteleimonos, 20 Konstamonitou | Tagged , | Leave a comment

1992 – Flora Graeca: Cyclamen, Oleanders, Ferulas and Euphorbia

Posted on April 14, 2018 by

The pink flowers of the cyclamen like the shadow of the Mount Athos forests. The image above is from the book early 19th century botanical book Flora Graeca.  The oleander is often to be found in or around the monasteries. … Continue reading →

Posted in 01 Lavra, 20 Konstamonitou, books, Dafni, nature, Thebais | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

1982 – Megistis Lavra, some last pictures before moving on

Posted on March 3, 2018 by

The passage through the kitchen. The cobbled stones look like they are polished by centuries of footsteps. A strong sense of beauty made me shiver here.This picture is taken from the cells at the inside of the eastern wall. An … Continue reading →

Posted in 01 Lavra, trip 2017 | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

1981 – Lavra, a close-up look

Posted on February 19, 2018 by

Time to take a close-up look at Lavra, to watch some details. The fountain in front of the catholicon was not working. The eagle spreads its wings. It doesn’t have two heads as might be expected. Below it we see … Continue reading →

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1979 – Monks and pilgrims in Megistis Lavra

Posted on February 13, 2018 by

I sat quietly enjoying the tranquillity of the evening. It was at the back of the catholicon. Further down a monk sat as quiet as I did. His back against the church. When a monk with a stick crossed, I … Continue reading →

Posted in 01 Lavra, people | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

1978 – An inspirational place, the arsanas of Megistis Lavra

Posted on February 6, 2018 by

Coming down from the old monopati the robust tower at the arsanas comes in view. On top a stairway can be seen leading to a little platform. Excellent outlook point.Here the cobbled monopati ends. The newer concrete dirt road crosses … Continue reading →

Posted in 01 Lavra, arsanas, trip 2017 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

1977 – Megistis Lavra, a walk around the monastery

Posted on February 3, 2018 by

The minivan drove us from Karies to Megistis Lavra. Every seat was taken. A long and winding dirt road takes you there. The old footpaths are mostly destroyed by the dirt road. Only short patches remain. We had been visited … Continue reading →

Posted in 01 Lavra, trip 2017 | Tagged | 5 Comments