Μονή Κουτλουμουσίου | |
 Interior of the monastery. | |
  Location within Mount Athos | |
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou |
| Order | Ecumenical Patriarchate |
| Dedicated to | Transfiguration of the Saviour |
| Diocese | Mount Athos |
| Prior | Archimandrite Elder Nikolaos |
| Site | |
| Location | Mount Athos,Greece |
| Coordinates | 40°15′13″N24°14′50″E / 40.2536°N 24.2472°E /40.2536; 24.2472 |
| Public access | Men only |
TheKoutloumousiou Monastery (Greek:Μονή Κουτλουμουσίου) orKoutloumousi (Greek:Κουτλουμούσιpronounced[kutluˈmusi]) is anEastern Orthodoxmonastery in the monastic state ofMount Athos inGreece. It is connected withKaryes by theKoutloumousiou Bridge [bg] (Greek:Γεφύρι στην Ιερά Μονή Κουτλουμουσίου). The monastery ranks sixth in the hierarchy of the Athonite monasteries, and has 30 workingmonks according to the2021 census. Another 65 monks live in its annexes (sketes,cells, andhermitages).[1] The monastery's library contains 662 manuscripts and approximately 5,200 printed books.
It was founded in the 11th century by Kallistos Koutloumous, an orthodox monk from the city ofIconium in Asia Minor. The first benefactor was theByzantine EmperorAlexios I Komnenos, who appreciated the piety of Kallistos and strengthened the Monastery.[2]
The present-day Monastery was raised with the help ofvoivodesNicolae Alexandru andVladislav Vlaicu of theHouse of Basarab fromWallachia, while otherWallachian voivodes contributed with substantial financial donations.[3]
According to tradition, the Monastery was constructed between 1063 and 1069 by Kallistos Koutloumous, a member of theSeljuk dynasty fromIconium inAsia Minor who converted toChristianity. The first benefactor of the Monastery was EmperorAlexios I Komnenos. In written records, the monastery of Koutloumousi was first mentioned in a document from 1169. In the following centuries, the Monastery went through difficult times with plunders committed in the aftermath of theFourth Crusade and killings done byMichael VIII Palaiologos after theSecond Council of Lyon. The Monastery was also raided byCatalan mercenaries between 1307 and 1309.[2][4]
In 1263, theProtos of Mount Athos granted thecell of Saint Elijah to the monastery. The desertedStavronikita Monastery was also ceded to Koutloumousiou in 1287. By 1316, the Monastery was on the 17th place in the Athonite monastery hierarchy.[4]
After the establishment of theMetropolis of Ungro-Wallachia in 1359, the relations between theWallachian Voivodes and Mount Athos began. The first voivode to grant substantial support to Koutloumousiou wasNicolae Alexandru. The support was continued by his son,Vladislav Vlaicu. Shortly after Alexandru died in 1364, Vlaicu agreed to support the expansion of the Monastery as planned by itsabbot, Chariton ofImbros, on the condition that both should be considered equalktetors of the Monastery. Vlaicu also demanded that the Monastery should becomeidiorrhythmic in order to facilitate the settlement of Wallachian monks in it. After the demands were eventually accepted by Chariton, the construction works on the Monastery began. These included the defensive wall, towers, and theKatholikon (Church).[4][3][5]
Donations to the Monastery were continued by the Wallachian Voivodes such asMircea the Elder,Laiotă Basarab,Basarab the Young,Vlad II Dracul,Vlad IV the Monk,Vlad VI Înecatul,Vlad VII Vintilă,Radu the Great, andNeagoe Basarab or by theirboyars. In 1393, the Monastery was proclaimed as astauropegion byPatriarchAntony.[3] Koutloumousiou was also granted villages and othertithes from Wallachia by Mircea the Elder.[5]
By the early 15th century, Koutloumousiou occupied the St. Alypius Monastery, officially annexing the abandoned establishment in 1428.[3] In 1497, the Monastery was damaged by a fire but was restored with aid from Wallachia.[2] During this time, Radu the Great began the restoration works on the Monastery, works which were completed by his successor Neagoe Basarab. As described byHieromonk Gavriil Protul, Voivodes Radu and Neagoe built the wall with towers and gates, and also built arefectory, cellar, bakery, kitchen, garden, infirmary, tavern, guest house, barn, treasury, and other houses for all needs. The central church and its cells were also well decorated. Aharbor surrounded by a wall for small and largeships was also constructed. Neagoe Basarab also began referring to the Koutloumousiou Monastery as "the greatlavra of Wallachia". Following these restorations, the Monastery reached the sixth place in the hierarchy of the Athonite monasteries in 1574, a place it still holds to this day.[4]
Under theOttoman rule, an economic crisis caused by high taxes and seizure of monasticestates led to the decrease of the number of monks at the Monastery.[2] In 1797, a fire destroyed the east wing of the Monastery and the damage was repaired with assistance fromPatriarchMatthew of Alexandria.[3] ThePhanariot voivodes of Wallachia such asAlexander Mourouzis,Alexander Ypsilantis, andMichael Soutzos continued supporting the Monastery.[4]
Koutloumousiou returned tocenobitic monasticism in 1856, after 500 years of idiorrhythmic lifestyle. Support fromRomania stopped in 1863 whenPrinceAlexandru Ioan Cuza confiscated the monastery estates from the country.[2] The last major donation from the country to the Monastery happened whenlandlady Marghioala Procopie Canusi sent help to rebuild Koutloumousiou after a fire in 1870.[4]
While trying to return to the cenobitic lifestyle, and after a fire had destroyed the northern wing of the monastery in 1856, pro-Russian elements infiltrated the monastery attemptingRussification of the strategically placed Greek monastery. With the interventions from General Sevastianov and ambassadorIgnatyev, the Russians managed to twice depose the canonical abbot Ioasaf, aiming to appoint aRussophile hieromonk fromSt. Panteleimon as abbot. Ultimately, the brotherhood of the monastery succeeded in restoring Ioasaf with help from theEnglish ambassador toConstantinople and agreement of theEcumenical Patriarchate, the RussianPan-Slavic ideas failing to influence Koutloumousiou.[6]
A period of decline continued in the 20th century, the monastery being abandoned in the aftermath ofWorld War II and the eastern wing burning down in 1980. At the same time, the arrival of new monks, includingSaint Paisios, led to a new period of growth for Koutloumousiou.[2]
The Monastery has the shape of an irregular quadrilateral, with the east and south sides being occupied by three-story arched wings. A stone-built L-shaped building is attached to the western wall. The wall also featureslead-roofed domes and adefensive tower built in 1508 which houses the icon vault.[7] Also on the western wall stands the refectory of the monastery, rebuilt by Patriarch Matthew of Alexandria after the fire of 1767. Themarble-builtoctagonalphiale and theholy water cistern are located in the prominent part of the courtyard. Both were constructed in the 19th century by a sculptor from a Tinian workshop. The Katholikon (church) is located in the center of the Monastery. It was built shortly after 1369 and is an enlargement of an older and smaller church. Thenarthex and the main church are fullyfrescoed in theiconographic style of theCretan school.[8][9][10]
There are 10chapels within the monastery. The Chapel of Our LadyFovera Prostassia (Formidable Protection), constructed in 1733, houses a wonder-working icon of the same name[10] dating to the 13th or 14th century.[9] The Monastery has 18kellia and also possesses theSkete of Saint Panteleimon.[3] Additionally, Koutloumousiou has fourhermitages in theKapsala area.[1]
Located in the northern wing of the Monastery, the library contains about 5,200 printed books dating from 1500 to 1890. Primarily printed inVenice,Vienna,Leipzig,Paris, Constantinople and various Romanianpresses, these books are written in a variety of languages and cover diverse topics fromtheology tomedicine. The library also has 950codices onparchment or paper, the oldest dating to the 9th century. A collection ofmusic manuscripts andillustrated manuscripts is also maintained.[10][11]
The collection of documents containsByzantinechrysobulls andcharters of Alexios Komnenos andAndronikos Palaiologos,firmans issued by Ottomansultans as well asdecrees and letters from Wallachianvoivodes.[10][11]
The treasury of Koutloumousiou consists of exquisitely adorned liturgical and priestlyvestments, consecrated vessels, crosses for blessings and processions,chalices,reliquaries containing the relics, and various other sacred objects.[10]
The holyrelics preserved at the Monastery come from several Saints. These include the left foot ofSaint Anne, the left hand ofSaint Gregory the Theologian, the jawbone ofSaint Charalambos, and the skull ofSaint Alypius. The Monastery also houses a piece of theHoly Cross.[10][8]
| Monasteries (by precedence) |  | |
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| Sketes |
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| Settlements | ||
| Geography | ||
| Relics and icons | ||
| Other topics | ||
