Vatopedi Monastery
| Βατοπέδι | |
External view of the monastery.
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 Location within Mount Athos
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi |
| Order | Ecumenical Patriarchate |
| Established | mid 10th century |
| Dedicated to | Annunciation |
| Diocese | Mount Athos |
| Controlled churches | Skete of Saint Andrew; Skete of Saint Demetrius |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Athanasius, Nicholas and Antonius (all from Adrianople) |
| Prior | Archimandrite Elder Efrem |
| Important associated figures | Elder Joseph (1921-2009); Gregorius, Metropolitan of Irinoupolis & Vatopedi; Elder Philippos; Elder Minas; Elder Neophytos; Elder Arkadius; Cosmas of Aetolia |
| Site | |
| Location | Mount Athos, Greece |
| Coordinates | 40°19′00″N 24°13′00″E / 40.316667°N 24.216667°ECoordinates: 40°19′00″N 24°13′00″E / 40.316667°N 24.216667°E |
| Public access | Men only |
| Other information | 7 icons of Virgin Mary: Elaiovrytissa, Ktetorissa (Vimatarissa), Esphagmeni, Pantanassa, Pyrovolitheisa, Antiphonitria and Paramythia |
The Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi (Greek: Βατοπέδι, pronounced [vatoˈpeði]) on Mount Athos, Greece, was built during the second half of the 10th century by three monks, Athanasius, Nicholas, and Antonius, from Adrianople, who were disciples of Athanasius the Athonite.
From then onwards, several buildings have been constructed, most of them were built during the Byzantine period and during the 18th and 19th centuries when the monastery reached its highest peak. More than 120 monks live in the monastery today, where extensive construction projects are underway to restore the larger buildings.
Two large Sketes (monastic style communities) are attached to Vatopedi: the Skete of Saint Andrew in Karyes and the Skete of Saint Demetrius near the main monastery. Other kellia (κελλιά) (small monasteries which are not independent) are also depended on the monastery.
The Monastery of Vatopedi holds the Cincture of the Theotokos, a belt held by some believers to be the actual belt of the Theotokos, which she wore on earth and gave to Thomas the Apostle after her death and during her transition to heaven (the equivalent in the Western Church is the Girdle of Thomas). The silver and jewel-encrusted reliquary containing the skull of St. John Chrysostom is kept in the Monastery and is credited by Eastern Orthodox Christians with miraculous healings. The monastery also contains the Iaspis, a chalice fashioned of a single piece of the precious stone jasper, and numerous icons.
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Wikipedia