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

Moni Stavronikita

Greek-orthodox, Holiday: December 6

This is the smallest of today′s 20 monasteries in Athos, with the construction of the buildings lying quite close together and a tower with some battlements. 

When exactly, and especially by whom the monastery was found, cannot be proved. According to a legend, the founders were the monks Stavros and Nikitas, who had lived as hermits on the Athos. Another story mentions a pious officer named Nikephoros Stavroniketas, who served under the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes Tzimiskes.

There were different names for the monastery from 1020AD to 1030AD. In 1153AD it had the name "Stravoniketas" (Schiel of Niketas). At which time it is then renamed "Stavroniketas" (Cross winner) is unknown. 

In June 1533AD a monk named Gregorios Giromeriatis acquired the monastery for 4.000 pieces of silver. He began immediately the restoration. When he died, the Patriarch Jeremias I (1522AD-1546AD) continued the work, especially when he became a benefactor. Thus, the Katholikon was inaugurated on 3^rd July 1546AD. 

Precious treasures of the monastery are a mosaic icon of the 14th Century, the pillars of the monastery church and the representation of Saint Nikolaos. Similarly, numerous other murals of the Cretan painter Theophanes, including a portrait of Jeremias I., as the founder of the monastery are included in the Katholikon. 

Unfortunately, the monastery had in a period of 250 years, five victims due to severe fires.