Narthex fresco in the Catholicon at Pantocrator

Photographer

Horlbeck, Frank R.

Date

• May 29, 1997

Summary

• Interior view of the catholicon or communal church of the Pantocrator Monastery. The photograph shows a fresco of Saint John the Baptist (Forerunner) located in the narthex (litii) of the catholicon. The painting program of the original 14th-century church was covered by new paintings in 1854 by Matthaios Ioannou of Naoussa. The monastery of Pantocrator was recognized as a monastery in the mid-14th century. Before then it was a loosely knit center of kelli (‘cells’ or monastic living quarters). Its founders are Alexios and Ioannis who were supported by their relative John V Palaiologos. The monastery also enjoyed later endowments from Manuel II Palaiologos, and (after the fall of Constantinople) the Danubian princes. The monastery suffered a devastating fire in 1773 and its reconstruction was aided by the financial support of Catherine the Great of Russia. The tower dates back to the monastery’s foundation aside from a few repairs. Most other buildings have been largely or completely renovated. The catholicon or communal church was consecrated in 1362-3 by Patriarch Kallistos I, but it bears later additions. The refectory opposite the catholicon was renovated in 1744. The monastery ranks seventh of the twenty on Mount Athos.