When is the Festival Days of Mount Athos Monasteries
A feast day (in Greek panigyris) is a spiritually and religiously significant event, when the annual celebration gathering takes place in each monastic community. All the monasteries of Mount Athos organize festivals on the feast day of their Saint in honor of whom its Katholikon, that is the main church of the monastery, is dedicated.
How the feast is organized at the monasteries
The invitation to each festival is extended to everyone, either through letters sent by the Monasteries and Sketes or orally by the Cells. Official letters particularly invite the Bishop, members of the Holy Community, representatives of the civil and police authorities, cantors and other deacons of the Church.
The feast begins on the eve of the saint's day with the Vespers service and reaches its peak with the All-Night Vigil. Immediately following the Vigil, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, concluding with a communal meal, known as the «Table of Love», in which all attending pilgrims participate.
The characteristics of the feasts of Mount Athos
The main characteristics of a monastic fair include the resounding and impressive peals, joyful chanting and the raising of the Byzantine and Greek flags.
Additional elements include the abundant use of Orthodox frankincense, the decoration of entrances with laurel branches, the offering of meals, heartfelt words of hospitality, and well-wishes.
Finally, there are elements as a festive homily, the offering of refreshments, generous blessings, and the sanctification of souls through divine grace.
Which are the feast days of Mount Athos
Below is a list of the feast days of the monasteries on Mount Athos according to the Julian and Revised Julian Calendars. The first date corresponds to the Julian Calendar, and the second to the Revised Julian Calendar.
The celebrations of the Monasteries according to the Old and New Calendar
Julian and Revised Julian Calendar Feasts
Great Lavra Monastery: celebrates July 5 – July 18 ♰ St. Athanasius the Athonite
Vatopedi Monastery: celebrates March 25 – April 7 ♰ The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
Iviron Monastery: celebrates August 15 – August 28 ♰ The Dormition of the Theotokos
Hilandar Monastery: celebrates November 21 – December 4 ♰ The Presentation of the Virgin Mary to the Temple
Dionysiou Monastery: celebrates June 24 – July 7 ♰ Nativity of St. John the Forerunner
Koutloumousi Monastery: celebrates August 6 – August 19 ♰ Transfiguration of the Savior
Pantokrator Monastery: celebrates August 6 – August 19 ♰ Transfiguration of the Savior
Xeropotamou Monastery: celebrates March 9 – March 22 ♰ The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
Zografou Monastery: celebrates April 23 – May 6 ♰ St. George the Trophy-Bearer
Dochiariou Monastery: celebrates November 8 – November 21 ♰ Synaxis of the Archangels
Karakallou Monastery: celebrates June 29 – July 12 ♰ Apostles Peter and Paul
Philotheou Monastery: celebrates March 25 – April 7 ♰ The Annunciation of the Theotokos
Simonopetra Monastery: celebrates December 25 – January 7 ♰ The Nativity of Jesus Christ
St. Paul’s Monastery: celebrates February 2 – February 15 ♰ The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Stavronikita Monastery: celebrates December 6 – December 19 ♰ St. Nicholas
Xenophon Monastery: celebrates April 23 – May 6 ♰ St. George the Trophy-Bearer
Gregoriou Monastery: celebrates December 6 – December 19 ♰ St. Nicholas
Esfigmenou Monastery: celebrates 39 days after Holy Easter ♰ the Ascension of the Lord
St. Panteleimon Monastery: celebrates July 27 – August 9 ♰ St. Panteleimon
Kostamonitou Monastery: celebrates December 27 – January 9 ♰ St. Stephen the Protomartyr
Detailed list - table with the festivals of the monasteries on Mount Athos
