Athos, Monastery of Pantocrator

The monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior is built on the low cliffs of the coast, next to the stream. The irregular multifaceted shape of the buildings, with a wall around and a fortification tower on the west side, is surprising for the character of the building. In this area to the interior of Athos there are settlements with numerous solitary huts and the Russian communal skete of Prophet Elias. This 14th-century monastery was founded by the brothers Alexios and John, Byzantine officials. It was rebuilt by Manuel Palaiologos after a fire which completely burned it in 1393. It was then ruined by the pirates, but it was able to recover with the help of Moldovan ruler I. Mavrocordatos and the Russian Tsar. It took an active part in the revolution of Chalkidiki, equipping Emmanuel Papas with its cannons and heirlooms. There was also a great bibliographic center with codes and documents. Kapodistrias returned everything that had not been redeemed since 1830. In 1992 the monastery became coenobitic.

In the chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin there is the only icon in Mount Athos which presents the Virgin Mary, Gerontissa. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary yelled through the icon at the priest to shorten the service in order the elder abbot to be in time to take communion and to die in peace. Of the other heirlooms, part of the shield of Saint Mercurios and a fragment of True Cross are saved.