Monday 29 May 2023

Monastery Views

There is one Monastery on the island, Zoodochos Pigis.  The name means 'Life giving spring'.  Google says that its a medieval monastery (1773) and has a few rare icons.  There's only one monk there usually with some of his family and a few hangers-on.

I know that from the entrance, up quite a few steps, there is a great view of the bay below and the mountains on the mainland opposite.  Women cannot enter wearing men's clothing, wrap around skirts provided in the entranceway.  If you enter wearing trews, or shorts for  men, and the monk is around then you'll get told off. 

There's a spring down below whose waters are supposed to have cured Archbishop Jacovos 11 of lithiasis, gall stones or kidney stones.  He decided to build the Monastery where this miracle took place.  And Hey Presto, here it still is today.  One of Poros's few sites/sights to see


The steps to the church and cloister




One of the many cypress trees,  
Cypress trees always grow (are planted) around churches and graveyards




View from the top
Monastery Beach (what else would it be called)
There's an organised beach down there and a fish taverna.  All rents go to the Monastery.  It has acres of land around it, mostly forest but also olive trees.  




Woman in men's attire wearing wrap around skirt





And down below on the roadside is a cafe with chairs under the spreading chestnut tree and a cool breeze coming down the ravine even in mid-summer


The 'life-giving' spring
Just a trickle now but you can fill a bottle and give it a try.  It's good to drink.  All the water served by the cafe comes from there


Our good friend Meleti and his coffee-carrier
Meleti makes the cheesecake, pies and a variety of snacks by himself.  Well worth trying
He's a good friend and a jolly wee man who will make your day a happy one.  He's often helped by his wife and children, all equally cheerful
Loos are up the road in the forest.  Pleasantly clean


Meleti and his wife Nektaria always have a show of flowers and plants in pots.  Soon there will be big bushes of basil


Now, doesn't that look pleasant.
The chairs aren't terribly comfortable but are ok for an hour of book reading, talking and ouzo drinking


16 comments:

  1. When I was in North Macedonia I was given a skirt to wear before entering a monastery.

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    1. All the male monasteries here have a strict dress code. And that's not all. In one near us the women sit in a secluded area by themselves .

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  2. That is a place I would enjoy visiting, thank you for your guided tour and photos.

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    1. It's lovely up there. And the courtyard is full of shade trees and flowers

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  3. It is good that you can still get safe potable spring water there... and cheesecake and pies!

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    1. K thinks it's the best water on Poros. Don't know about the gall stones.
      Cheesecake is excellent 😀

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  4. Sounds like a wonderful spot to enjoy the food drink and view on a sunny day.
    It all looks lovely

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    1. On a sunny day it's definitely a place to sit and visit a while

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  5. Always fascinating accounts of your Greek islands Linda.

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  6. Has that cafe always been there Linda? I don’t remember it.

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    1. Yes, it has. I'm sure I have a photo of you there, though many years ago. We shall return!

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  7. Wow, took me 6 goes to be able to comment as myself! I remember visiting that monastery when I came to Poros many years ago. I really enjoyed my time on the island.

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    1. Lovely that you've here. Glad you have good memories of it

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  8. What a lovely place to spend some time. The shady tree and pure water sound heavenly :)

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  9. I'd sit at the table and enjoy a coffee. I wonder why you aren't allowed to wear pants in front of the monk?

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