Mount Athos: The Abbot (Hegoumenos) of the Monastery of Great Lavra

Department Archive
Collection BSA SPHS Image Collection
Reference No. BSA SPHS 01/6475.C6146
Level Item
Description Film negative, approximately quarter plate size, an original negative.
Dimensions 10x8 cm
Place Monastery of Great Lavra
Mount Athos
Dates Latest 1936
Donor/Creator Baker-Penoyre, Mr John ff.
Scope and Content The original description in the SPHS register reads: "Athos, Lavra monastery, Hegoumenos".
Notes Latest date based on accession list of slides in the JHS for 1936.
Further information The Monastery of Great Lavra is situated on the coast with a cove commanded by a massive tower which does duty as its port (arsenal). It is the largest and earliest of the first-rank monasteries on Athos, founded by St. Athanasius in the 10th century. In the 17th century it went through a period of extreme poverty, but it recovered before the end of that century. Hasluck, who visited in 1911, mentions that the katholikon (dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin) was thought to have been built by Athanasius and served as a model for Athos churches in general. Among the many towers of this monastery, the massive 'Tower of Tzimiskes' is thought to be equally old. The refectory (trapeza) was constructed in 1512 by Gennadios, Archbishop of Serres, and, according to Hasluck, it was thought to be the finest on Athos. The hospital was also constructed in the 14th century, but in Hasluck's day, it served as the guesthouse. Several free-standing chapels were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Hasluck, F.W. 1924. Athos and its Monasteries, London: Kegan Paul (pp. 180-185)
Reference 1936 JHS 56: 22nd accession to 1913 slide catalogue. 25.SPHS C.6146. Link to article