Holy Monastery of Saint Stephen Meteora, Greece: a Short Guide
St Stephens Monastery in Meteora (a nunnery) is located on the Holy rock of Saint Stefanos.
Located on a mountain top it has an area of 7400sqm. It includes two cathedrals; the old 16th century chapel which was severely damaged during WWII and the consequent Greek Civil War, and the 18th century main cathedral that is dedicated to Saint Charalambos.
St Stephen’s Monastery History
Foundation of this coenobium (monastery) dates back to 12th century, sometime in 1191 and the first hermit who resided here was Jeremy. The full fledged monastery was founded by Saint Anthony in early 15th century and further expanded by Saint Philotheus. In 1545 St Philotheus built cells for the monks and other useful buildings.
They got good support and protection from society in those years. In 1798, Amvrosios, abbot of the monastery, built the present imposing katholikon to honor St. Charalambus.
However due to some turmoil prevalent in early 20th century the monastery got closed down. The monastery includes St. Charalambus holy relics (his skull). This monastery was completely abandoned till 1961. It was accidentally discovered in the plundered and ruined state by some herders.
In 1961 the monastery got converted to a nunnery and it flourished again. Then in 1988 these monasteries of Meteora got listed in list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The second cathedral is being frescoed by a modern artist, a hagiographer (a painter that specializes in the study of saints).
St. Stephen’s Monastery is the only monastery visible from the town Kalambaka. And for all pilgrims and tourists who can’t climb long flight of stairs, this monastery is a boon.
St Stephens Monastery Meteora Interior
The interiors are almost same in all monasteries. It is the easiest of the 5 to access with just a bridge to crossover. And since this is the easiest to access, this nunnery is the most crowded one too. It was hard to find space to stand in the gift shop and browse through the beautiful stuffs.
I found the nuns here very helpful; one English speaking nun took all efforts to explain the story of these monasteries to us.
This monastery had ample space around it and they have maintained beautiful garden. They have good toilet facilities too. Tourists were spilling on to this place after touring the interiors. Amazing views of the cathedrals, view of Kalambaka town and the scenery all around. I am sure this monastery has the highest attendance of tourists; the nuns here know what makes tourists happy.!
-
- Paintings in St Stephen’s monastery Meteora Greece
-
- Stone art in St Stephens Monastery Meteora Greece
-
- Wall paintings in ST. STEPHEN’S MONASTERY, METEORA, GREECE
Tour of Old Katholikon
The church is a small one with low ceilings. Roof is of single nave and made of timber. Beautiful frescoes of 1545 exist even today. Maximum damage to these frescoes was caused during the last war when faces and eyes of all the Saints were damaged.
All the retouched and restored frescoes are stunning. Painter and priest Nicholas from Kalampaka contributed a lot for this restoration of art work. Do look out for these noteworthy works of art (photography was not allowed):
- On the sanctuary – the frescoes of Platytera (the Virgin Blachernitissa) and of the Communion of the Apostles
- On the nave – full-length figures of Saints, Jesus with disciples on the Eleon Mountain and the depiction of 24 stanzas of the Akathistos Hymn
- On the narthex – depictions of holy founders Anthony and Philotheus and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary are distinguished.
Vestry turned into Museum
In 1991 they renovated the vestry in the church to display the wealth and precious things inherited over the years. There is a small museum which displays Aristotle’s works, robes, old bibles, cross and more. Some of the old manuscripts retrieved from St Nicholas Monastery of Meteora is also kept here. I got to see book written by Aristotle.
Aristotle is a prodigious researcher and writer of 2nd BC. He left a great body of work, perhaps numbering as many as 200 treatises, from which approximately 31 survive.
-
- Incunabulum – an early printed book, especially one printed before 1501.
-
- Aristoteles Works
Three of the most important and oldest books are in the show-cases of the museum. They are works of Aristotle, printed in 1498 and the Dictionaries of Souda and of Varinou Phavorinous since 1411.
Activities of Nunnery
The nunnery is being run by around 30 nuns. During the 1970s, the nunnery had opened an Elementary school and an orphanage for girls in the monastery. They were taught by its nuns.
Today the nunnery conducts classes on: icons’ calligraphy, decorative manuscripts, gold embroidery, sewing, manufacturing incense, candles, and various types of needlework.
View of Kalambaka town from St Stephens Monastery Meteora Greece
Opening Hours of the St. Stephen’s Monastery
Summer timings: Apr to Oct: 9am to 1.30pm and 3.30pm to 5pm, closed on Mondays.
Winter timings: Nov to Mar 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm closed on Mondays.
Pin this for later
Beautiful place Indrani. Looks so serene !
So beautiful!
Great post, Indrani! The monastery is wonderful.
Very nice
Wonderful monastery.
Great location in first image. For rest of the images, only one word came in mind – 'Tranquility' at its best..
Lovely monastery and so well captured! You feel as if you're there.
Great post Indrani.
Loved this post as well as the pics Indrani!
Such an impressive building! Great photos with detailed and informative description. I read this post in morning but could not cmnt so now.
What a gorgeous place!
Truly a Great Place of Visit! Thanks for the good Narration with the beautiful Pictures of the Place!
The location is great! Wonderful pics 🙂
Marvelous and Very Sacred. Thanks for sharing and God Bless…!
What an amazing place! Wow, I love all the artwork and architecture.
Great post, Indrani. Informative content & beautiful pics 🙂
first pic is breathtaking…..
Such an impressive building! Great photos!
Beautiful monastery , amazing photos.
Wonderful captures and another terrific photo visit to Greece!! Thank you so much for sharing these, Indrani!!! Hope you have a great new week!!
wow! so pretty!