The Touristic Info Halkidiki informs: Mount Athos - Monasteries and skites
Moni Philotheo
Greek-orthodox, Holiday: March 25
The monastery is situated on 533 meters altitude on the eastern foothills, south of the capital Caries. It is framed by a chestnut wood.
About its foundation we know almost nothing. It has been confirmed in a written notice from the year 1015AD as well as in a deed from the year 1021AD. While in the first two centuries of its existence it had no special significance to the Holy Mountain, this changed in the 14th Century.
At the time it took patrons from the house of the emperor and later the Prince of Serbia. The result was the influx of Serbian and Bulgarian monks in quite large numbers. Ιn the 16th Century, almost the entire monastery was destroyed by a fire. Another fire threatened the monastery in 1871AD.
Except for the refectory of the 16th Century, the Katholikon of 1746AD and the library the entire convent was almost destroyed. Most of today's buildings date back from the 18th Century.
The biggest treasure of the monastery is the icon Glykophilusa, a representation of the Virgin Mary having Jesus in her arms and kissing him. This portrait is one of the oldest in Athos.
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