The Touristic Info Halkidiki informs: Mount Athos - Monasteries and skites

Moni Pandokratoros

Greek-orthodox, Holiday: August 6

The brothers Alexios (who was involved with the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII in the reconquest of Constantinople) and Ioannes Strategopoulos founded this monastery in the 14th Century, before the year 1358AD 

They built the monastery at the area of the abandoned Kellie Pandokrator in honor of the "absolute ruler" (Christ). At a stone slab in the bell tower in August 1363AD, the names of the two founders are written. 

The founders were brothers and they have never been monks in the monastery, but they have bequeathed their property and riches, so that after only a short time the monastery become large. Since the Typikon from 1574AD, it takes the seventh place in the hierarchy of the Mount Athos monastery. 

Numerous fires threatened the monastery again and again. The first time in 1392AD there was a victim of the flames. Katholikon, the main tower as well as some parts of the monastery wall were saved. 

Inside, there are not only 400 ancient manuscripts and nearly 3,500 books, but also relics of the right foot and a leg of the Apostle Andrew. In Katholikon there are also the graves of the two monastic founders. 

The monastery’s subordinate is the Skit Profitis Ilias.