New Skete (Mount Athos)

New Skete or Nea Skiti (Greek: Νέα Σκήτη or Σκήτη Εισοδίων της Θεοτόκου ή Νέα Σκήτη) is one of two Orthodox Christian sketes of Agiou Pavlou Monastery in the monastic state of Mount Athos.[1] It lies on the Aegean sea shore between Agiou Pavlou Monastery (monastery of Saint Paul) and the Skete of Saint Anne, on the southwestern side of the peninsula of Athos (a 30-minute walk from Agiou Pavlou).[2][3] It belongs administratively to the Skete of Saint Anne.[4]

New Skete
Νέα Σκήτη
View of the New Skete
Monastery information
Full nameNew Skete of the Holy Monastery of Agiou Pavlou
OrderGreek Orthodox
Dedicated toPaul the Apostle
PriorArchimandrite Elder Parthenius (Mourelatos)
Site
LocationMount Athos
Greece Greece
Coordinates40°09′40″N 24°17′25″E / 40.1611°N 24.2903°E / 40.1611; 24.2903
Public accessMen only
Websitehttps://www.neaskiti.gr

Overview

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The New Skete speaks Greek, follows the idiorrhythmic way of monastic life, and is inhabited by about 40 monastics living in about 33 residences.[5][6] The Skete is built on the steep and rocky side of Mount Athos. The monastics support themselves by painting icons and cultivating olive trees and other small-scale agricultural products. Religious memorabilia, books, and other items are available for purchase on New Skete's website.

The Skete is in possession of some 200 ancient manuscripts in its library and 500 old printed books, in addition to many relics. It is possible that the Skete was built on the site of what used to be a city. These speculations are supported by many graves, coins and artifacts which have been found there.

Recently, concerns have started to arise over the longevity of the original Katholikon built in 1760 because of its precarious position next to a cliff overlooking the sea. Landslides caused by weather erosion have begun to threaten the foundation of the church and have led to concerns.

History

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New Skete
Location of New Skete within Mount Athos.

The Skete was founded on 15 March 1753,[4] at the request of some monks who already lived there, with the name of either Saint Benedict or Holy Cross. It was later slightly relocated and renamed.[7] In some historical documents it is referred to as the Skete of Pyrgos.[4] The central church, or Katholikon (Greek: καθολικόν) was built in 1760 and was dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos.[7] A chapel was erected adjacent to the main church, dedicated to All Saints.[7] The belltower dates back to the Komnenian Era.[4]

Notable people

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  • In 1953, Saint Joseph the Hesychast moved with his brotherhood to New Skete and lived in a cell there until his repose in 1959. The original tomb of Saint Joseph (until his body was exhumed and relics were given to various monasteries) still exits in his chapel in New Skete. He was buried in the holy chapel of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. His tomb is a sacred place for many Orthodox Christians who have the ability to visit it.[7]
  • Fr. Seraphim the Anchorite was an anchorite under Fr. Neophytos of St. Demetrios' cell in New Skete.[citation needed]
  • Elder Elpidios (twin brother of martyr Philoumenos of Jacob's Well) lived in New Skete and was considered to be a very holy elder.[citation needed]

Map with key

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Map key:[8]

Number on map Cell name (transliterated) Cell name (Greek script)
1 tou Damaskinoú του Δαμασκηνού
2 tou Daníl του Δανιήλ
3 tou Thyní του θυνί
4 Evangelismós Ευαγγελισμός
5 tou Iosíf του Ιωσήφ
6 Genésion Prodrómou Γενέσιον Προδρόμου
7 Agios Sávvas Αγ. Σάββας
8 Stávlos Σταύλος
9 Pýrgos Πύργος
10 Evangelismós Ευαγγελισμός
11 Agios Nikólaos Αγ. Νικόλαος
12 Agios Charálampos Αγ. Χαράλαμπος
13 Genésion Prodrómou Γενέσιον Προδρόμου
14 Agios Dimítrios Αγ. Δημήτριος
15 Zoodóchou Pigís Ζωοδόχου Πηγής
16 Agios Spyrídon Αγ. Σπυρίδων
17 Isódia Theotókou Εισόδια Θεοτόκου
18 Kímisis Theotókou Κοίμησης Θεοτόκου
19 Agios Charálampos Αγ. Χαράλαμπος (2)
20 Agios Andréas Αγ. Ανδρέας (Αβραμαίοι)
21 Agios Anárgyri Αγ. Ανάργυροι
22 Kímisis Theotókou Κοίμησις Θεοτόκου
23 Apotomí tou Prodrómou Αποτομής του Προδρόμου
24 Agios Anárgyri Αγ. Ανάργυροι
25 tou Papaloú του Παπαλού
26 Hypapantí Υπαπαντή
27 Agiou Chrysóstomos Αγ. Χρυσόστομος
28 Agios Spyrídon Αγ. Σπυρίδων
29 Agios Ioánnis Theológos Αγ. Ιωάννης θεολόγος
30 Agios Gregórios Palamás Αγ. Γρηγόριος Παλαμάς
31 Kyriakón (church) Κυριάκόν
32 Kimitírio (cemetery) Κοιμητήριο
33 Agios Geórgios Αγ. Γεώργιος

References

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  1. ^ Nea Skete at Mount Athos.
  2. ^ Nea Skete.
  3. ^ Nea Skete, View from St Annes'.
  4. ^ a b c d "Η ΝΕΑ ΣΚΗΤΗ". Νέα Σκήτη - Άγιον Όρος - Εκδόσεις Συνοδείας Σπυρίδωνος Ιερομονάχου (in Greek). Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  5. ^ The Skete of New Skete .
  6. ^ Nea Skete at FlickR.
  7. ^ a b c d "The New Skete, the cell and the tomb of Elder Joseph the Hesychast". The Ascetic Experience. 2019-09-22. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  8. ^ Howorth, Peter (2022). Mount Athos: The Holy Mountain. Filathonites. ISBN 978-0-473-41386-6.