Dormition of Theotokos Monastery | |
Native Name: | Ιερά Μονή Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου Πεντέλης |
Other Names: | Penteli Monastery |
Established: | 1578 |
Dedication: | Dormition of Theotokos |
Celebration: | August 15 & 16 Monday of the Holy Spirit |
Diocese: | Archbishopric of Athens |
Location: | Penteli, Attica |
Country: | Greece |
Coordinates: | 38.0525°N 23.8667°W |
The Holy Monastery Dormition of Theotokos Penteli (Greek: Ιερά Μονή Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου Πεντέλης) is a historical men's monastery, which today belongs to the Archbishopric of Athens.[1] It is located on the southern side of Mount Penteli in Penteli, Greece, and is therefore also known as the Penteli Monastery.
The monastery was founded in 1578.[2] [3] Its founder was Saint Timotheos of Euripos. Almost from its foundation, the monastery held the status of stauropigiac,[4] that is, directly attached to the Patriarch of Constantinople. Since 1858, it has been under the jurisdiction of the Archbishopric of Athens.
During the Ottoman period, the monastery owned numerous lands located on Mount Pentelicus, as well as in other regions of Attica. The monastery was destroyed during the Sixth Turkish-Venetian War of 1688–1690, and then during the Greek War of Independence of 1821. In 2010, the monastery had 58 monks, 17 of whom lived there permanently.
The monastery is built at an altitude of about 430 meters. From the outside, its high walls and heavy doors give it the appearance of a fortress. The main church of the monastery, or Katholikon, is in post-Byzantine style. The monastery buildings have a capacity of 120 monks. The monastery also houses a museum, as well as a library.
The monastery celebrates the 15th (Dormition of Theotokos) and 16 August (memory of the founder Saint Timotheos), as well as the Monday of the feast of the Holy Spirit.