The Feast of the Pantokrator Monastery on Mount Athos
The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Saviour was celebrated at the Holy Pantokrator Monastery on Mount Athos according to the proper Athonite order and in an atmosphere of profound devotion.
The katholikon of the Holy Monastery, which is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Saviour, was filled with pilgrims, clergy and Athonite fathers who gathered to participate in the Monastery’s great feast.
The liturgical celebrations were presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Varnavas of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, who celebrated the festal Vigil, Matins and the Festal Divine Liturgy. He was joined by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Myrina; Elder Alexios, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos; Elder Gabriel, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Pantokrator; and numerous priests and deacons.
Representatives of other Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos also attended the feast, their presence contributing to the splendour of the celebration and expressing the spiritual unity and brotherhood that characterise the Athonite monastic community.
The melodious choir led by Elder Damaskinos from New Skete chanted at the right analogion, while the left choir was led by Mr Ioannis Liakos, Protopsaltis of the Metropolitan Church of Saint Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki.
Throughout the Vigil and Festal Divine Liturgy, an atmosphere of prayerful solemnity prevailed, as the fathers and pilgrims participated reverently in the great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
The Holy Pantokrator Monastery, built above the sea on the north-eastern side of Mount Athos, is one of the twenty sovereign monasteries of the Holy Mountain and ranks seventh in the Athonite hierarchy. It was founded in the middle of the 14th century, and its katholikon is a characteristic example of Athonite ecclesiastical architecture. The monastic complex and its chapels also preserve a significant wealth of frescoes, icons and ecclesiastical treasures.
The wonderworking icon of Panagia Gerontissa holds a special place in the spiritual life of the Monastery. The Monastery also safeguards important holy relics and treasures, including a fragment of Christ’s Seamless Robe, which was placed for veneration during Matins.
The Festal Divine Liturgy concluded in an atmosphere of spiritual joy and blessing, with the prayers and good wishes of the presiding Hierarch, the Athonite fathers and the brotherhood of the Holy Pantokrator Monastery extended to all the pilgrims who participated in the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Photographs: Kostas Tzivanidis
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