Monastery of Saint Panteleimon of Agia

The monastery was founded in the late 13th century and experienced significant growth in the 16^th century, a period during which the region of Agia prospered, partly due to favorable tax treatment by the Ottoman administration. The years 1579 and 1580 are recorded as times of large-scale work on the Catholicon, according to an inscription on a stone plaque. Of particular interest is the wooden painted iconostasis, dated to 1579, with icons added in the 18th century by the painter Georgios from Agrafa. A large part of the present-day monastery has been preserved from that historical period.

The Catholicon of the monastery, dedicated to the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, follows the Athonite architectural type, with choirs, small domes over the side chambers, and a spacious nave. It is adorned with remarkable frescoes from 1724, while parts of the original 1579 decoration survive in the dome, the sanctuary, and above the two entrances.

The monastery today

In addition to the Catholicon, the monastic complex includes the abbot’s two-story tower to the south and the refectory to the west. The monastery is enclosed by walls like a small fortress, with the elegant dome rising above the "walls," drawing the visitor’s attention.

The monastery was abandoned for over a century until the 1980s, when a female monastic community was established. It was again abandoned for about a decade, until 2005, when a new male brotherhood settled there. 

It celebrates on July 27, the feast of Saint Panteleimon, and on November 21, the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple. During these celebrations, crowds of faithful gather to participate in the religious events. The monastery is open to visitors from early in the morning until 1:30 p.m. For group visits, prior notice is recommended so that traditional refreshments can be prepared and the Holy Relics of the Monastery can be displayed for veneration (T/ +302494023189).

You can combine your visit with a tour of the small town of Agia, with its beautiful old mansions, as well as the nearby picturesque villages on the slopes of Kissavos (Metaxochori, Megalovryso, Melivoia).