THE TWO KATHOLIKA (Churches)
The Monastery has the peculiarity of having two Katholika. The old Katholikon is an art monument, but also a space particularly solemn and riveting. The main Church was built in the late 10th century, and in the subsequent centuries, the choroi, lity (narthex), and exonarthex were added. Distinguishing features include the early Christian columns (6th century) transferred here for a second use, the famous mosaic floor from the 10th century, the first marble iconostasis from the 11th century with its elaborate closure slabs and architrave, the gilded wood carved iconostasis from the 17th century with its icons, but also the frescoes of Monk Anthony from the 16th century. The grand Katholikon from the 19th century is admired for its grandeur, the eight domes, and the marble iconostasis by the marble sculptor Antonios Lytras from Tinos.
Te new Church (1819)
The old Church (10th cent.)
RELICS
In the grand Katholikon, the icon of Panagia Kecharitomene from the 13th century is preserved, along with sacred relics (piece of the True Cross, blood of St. John the Forerunner and St. Demetrius, Relics of St. George the Trophy-Bearer, St. Stephen, St. Tryphon, fragment of the right arm of St. Marina, the sole of St. Theodore the Tyro, etc.). Through their miraculous grace, they convey sanctification to worshippers. Additionally, a multitude of relics related to ecclesiastic worship and Athonite art, which constitute the fruits of the cultural and philocalic Athonite care, are stored in the Monastery's Sacristy. Two mosaic icons of Saints George and Demetrius from the 11th century, gifts from Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, icons from the 12th to the 18th century in the Palaelogan and Cretan styles, gold embroidered vestments, Holy Vessels, and other silverware, but also parchment and paper manuscripts from the 11th century onwards, and post-incunabula from the 16th century make up the exhibition material. Lastly, in the Monastery's Library, more than 500 manuscripts from the 10th century onwards and approximately 10,000 post-incunabula and more recent books are preserved.
THE MONASTERY TODAY
From the year 1976 until today, the Brotherhood of the Monastery has been guided by Its Elder and Kathegumen, Archimandrite Alexios. The providence and favour of God and the Eforos Panagia Odigitria reserved for the Brotherhood the weighty responsibility, but also the blessing of the complete renovation of the Monastery and the expansion of the building complex. The venerable Elder is also the founder and spiritual father of the women's Holy Hesychasterion of St. John the Forerunner in Akritochori, Sidirokastro, which was founded in 1981 and operates in accordance with the order of Mount Athos. Finally, the Skete of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the Metochion of Saint Philip fall under the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos. Outside Mount Athos, the Metochia of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Skopelos, of Saint Tryphon in Nea Kallikratia, Chalkidiki, and of the Athonite Fathers in Nea Ionia, Attica also fall under the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos. The life of the Athonite Monk is dedicated to the worship and love of God, the observance of divine commandments, and the exercise of godlike virtues, with a primary focus on cultivating love for one's neighbour, manifested in the fellow monks and numerous pilgrims. The Brothers of our Holy Monastery are called to preserve the Orthodox faith and safeguard the tradition of the Athonite Fathers that has survived for over a thousand years. It is by this very spirit, that the services of the monks are shaped and characterized. The ecclesiastic (deacon during the Divine Services, while the rest of the time his services inside the church include cleaning, lamp and censer lighting), the guesthouse greeter, the gardener, the arborist, the cook, the refectioner, the baker, the nurse, and others serve God and people. Additionally, the iconographer, the carpenter, the cantor, and others, apart from serving the Brotherhood, cultivate and safeguard a centuries-old tradition and art, to the praise of the Athonite spirit and our Orthodox heritage.
MIRACULOUS ICONS
A great blessing for the Monastery and the worshippers is the presence of two palladium miraculous icons, of Saint George the Trophy-Bearer, from the 9th century, and of Panagia Hodegetria, from the 14th century, in the centre of the new Katholikon.
The icon of Saint George was located in Constantinople, during the period of iconoclasm; the iconoclasts, after they threw it into the fire and it remained intact, wounded it with a sword to the face, from where blood flowed, to their astonishment. Finally, they threw it into the sea, and it reached our Monastery in a miraculous way in the 10th century. In honor of the Saint, the Monastery took his name.
The icon of Panagia Hodegetria adorned the right column of the Katholikon of the Monastery of Vatopedi until 1730. when one day, miraculously, it came on its own and was found in the Monastery's Katholikon while the doors were securely locked. The Vatopedi Fathers searched for it and, attributing its relocation to human action, brought it back and secured it in their Katholikon. However, the miracle of Panagia was repeated, and everyone was assured that it was the will of Panagia to remain in the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos, for the sake of Her children who were practicing asceticism there.
On the apse of the Chancel, and on an elaborate wood carved icon stand, one finds the miraculous icon of Panagia Kecharitomene, which dates back to the 13th century. The Fathers of the Monastery placed it on the throne out of particular reverence and respect for the numerous miracles performed through Her Grace.
Panagia is holding Christ in her arms, depicted from the back playing with His Mother, caressing her face with His right hand. Panagia is embracing Christ's face tenderly, expressing her maternal affection, and is holding with one hand His foot, and with the other one a closed scroll.
In the golden background of the icon, the abbreviations “Μ(Η)ΤΗΡ Θ(ΕΟ)Υ” (which in Greek means “MOTHER OF GOD”) and the inscription “Η ΚΕΧΑΡΙΤΩΜΕΝΗ” (“THE GRACEFUL ONE”) are inscribed. The contrast between the lively posture of Christ and the melancholic expression of Panagia alludes to the future Passion of the Lord.
The life of the Athonite Monk is dedicated to the worship and love of God, the observance of divine commandments, and the exercise of godlike virtues, with a primary focus on cultivating love for one's neighbour, manifested in the fellow monks and numerous pilgrims. The Brothers of our Holy Monastery are called to preserve Orthodox faith and safeguard the tradition of the Athonite Fathers that has survived for over a thousand years.
It is by this very spirit, that the services of the monks are shaped and characterized. The ecclesiastic (deacon during the Divine Services, while the rest of the time his services inside the church include cleaning, lamp and censer lighting), the guesthouse greeter, the gardener, the arborist, the cook, the refectioner, the baker, the nurse, and others serve God and people. Additionally, the iconographer, the carpenter, the cantor, and others, apart from serving the Brotherhood, cultivate and safeguard a centuries-old tradition and art, to the praise of the Athonite spirit and our Orthodox heritage.
