The acceleration of the procedures for the restoration of the problems caused by the fire of August 23, 2023, in the monastery complex of Saint Lukewas discussed in an extended meeting led by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, in the presence of the Metropolitan of Thebes and Levadeia Mr. Georgios, the General Secretary of Culture George Didaskalos and the competent officials.

Specifically, due to the damage suffered by the fire to the ruined cell of Joasaph (19th century), which is part of the south-east wing of the Monastery, it was deemed necessary to revise the architectural impression of the restoration study of the south-east wing of the Monastery, which is being prepared in the last year by the teachers of E.M.P. Charalambo Mouzakis and Eleftheria Tsakanikas, in collaboration with the architect Timos Koumitzoglou, by order of the Holy Metropolis of Thebes and Levadeia. The will of the Ministry of Culture, the Metropolis and the Monastery is to restore the entire wing of the monastery complex, in order to house the Library of the Monastery.

The Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia is proceeding to complete the cleaning of the southeast wing from the remains of the fire. At the same time, the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs undertook – in collaboration with the researchers – the preparation of the study of shoring, supporting and installing a roof in the two-story cell, and subsequently the consequent work for the protection of the remaining shell, but mainly the safety of the researchers, who must enter the building in order to complete the necessary studies.

The Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia undertook the preparation of a geotechnical and geophysical study, so that the data could be obtained for the completion of all studies, as well as measures to stabilize the slopes of the surrounding area. Also, the completion of the study of the lightning protection of the entire monastery complex is progressing following the directions given by the KAS, during the examination of the preliminary study at its recent meeting.

At the same time, in the context of fire prevention and shielding of the Monastery, which belongs to the World Heritage List of Unesco, the preparation of the relevant study for the installation of modern fire detection and fire extinguishing systems is completed, a project that is being implemented within the framework of a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministries of Culture and Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, with the cooperation of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia, the central services of the Ministry of Culture and the Headquarters of the Fire Service. A prerequisite for the implementation of the study is the investigation of the increase in the power of the water supply of the Monastery, which is the responsibility of the relevant Municipality. The relevant study is ongoing.

The issue of the universal accessibility of the Monastery to people with disabilities and people with disabilities in general was examined at a recent meeting of the KAS. Completion of the final study is progressing taking into account the comments of the Council. In order not to spoil the landscape, the use of mechanical means was preferred, as well as the gentle improvement of the cobblestones, so that the movement of wheelchairs was possible.