The monastery was the seat of the Archdiocese of Pogoniani from the 12th to the 17th century. Since the 14th century there was a manuscript school there
By Nicolas Bard
At the foothills of Mount Nemertsika, close to Aoos’s contribution to Sarantaporos and just 400 meters from the Greek -Albanian borderis built the historic Dormition Monastery of the Virgin Mary. The special name of the monastery comes from the lead slabs that cover its catholicon, instead of tiles or stone slabs we find in other monasteries. According to tradition, the monastery was founded by Emperor Constantine Pogonatos, as he returned from his campaign in Sicily (671–672 AD) and was later renovated by Emperor Andronicus Paleologos (1328-1341 AD). In the years that followed, it was renovated by the inhabitants of Pogoniani, who painted her cathedral, in the distant 1522.
The monastery was its seat Archbishop From the 12th to the 17th century. From the 14th century there was also a school of manuscripts, in which hierarchs were taught manuscript to both monks and lay people. Indeed, many scholars and writers of the time graduated from this school. In July 1943 the darkest page was written in the history of the monastery, as it was bombed by the Nazis, all the cells and the dining room was burned, and its cathedral was looted.
The Today’s Monastery of Molyvdoskepastis It maintains its noble, fortress look, has renovated cells, two bell towers and a careful garden. Its cathedral is Byzantine style, with a tall dome and well -preserved 13th -18th century hagiographies, while on the west side of the narthex we see frescoes depicting Constantine Pogonatos and Andronikos Paleologos. Still, the wood -carved iconostasis of the church rests on remnants of older marble iconostasis. The monastery today is an active male monastery and celebrates the 15th of August. It is preceded by vigilance from the night of August 14, followed by dawn. In the courtyard of the monastery, behind the sanctuary, there is the tomb of the blessed Metropolitan of Dryinopolis, Pogoniani and Konitsis Sevastianos.
The dating of the iconing of the image of the lead is not known to us. After stealing and staying in the countryside, she suffered a lot of damage. The rotten parts were cut and it was painted due to damage. Indeed, it is said that some of the times he was stolen returned in a miraculous way. One of the most famous legends accompanying the monastery concerns the period when the border was demarcated between Greece and the newly formed Albanian state. Initially, the Holy Monastery had been decided to be on the Albanian territory, but the horses that were bordered by the border defining and threw them down. Result; They reviewed their decision, so the monastery is today on the Greek side, just 400 meters away from the border.
A visit to the monastery will make you feel the special energy that the place carries, and you will enjoy a vast peace. The unique frescoes inside the monastery will undoubtedly draw you, as they “unfold” in front of your eyes a part of the great Byzantine history of the area. It is no coincidence that this monastery is one of the most exquisite monumental complexes in Epirus and a reference point for the Greek territory. The monastery has previously been an important spiritual, cultural and economic center of Ioannina, and even today it radiates beauty, faith and hope.
Source: Skai
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
