Monasteries of Meteora

Hello readers! Hope all of you are having a wonderful day. How many of you like to read fairy tales and imagine the places that are described in these tales? Well, if you are one of those, this place will maybe picture your imagination in real life. The Monasteries of Meteora in Central Greece can be found a few kilometers northwest of a town known as Kalabaka.

So, why was the word ‘meteora’ used for the name of this holy place? Well, it is because this word means ‘suspended in air’ in Greek, and thus the name. There were twenty-four monasteries on these natural pillars, now dwindling to only six. The Monasteries of Meteora were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in the year 1988 because of its mind-blowing architecture and beauty of the complex, and its religious and artistic significance.

Now, let us touch upon how this place was used for spiritual purposes. The first ones to use these cliffs for the same were the Orthodox Christian hermit monks who came to this place between the 9th and 10th centuries to isolate themselves in the caves found among the cliffs. Exposed to weather elements and all sorts of dangers, the monks relied heavily on the help of the locals. They would receive donations of food, water, clothing, wood, and other essential things regularly so that they could survive. The locals saw them as holy men who came to dwell in the area, worthy of their support.

This early period was the first stage in the development of Meteora into a spiritual place, dominated by the ascetic figures of the first hermit monks. This first stage lasted for a couple of centuries, up until the 12th century, the start of the second phase in the development of Meteora’s monastic tradition. The second phase started with a monk named Nilos who decided to gather the scattered hermit monks of Meteora into a more organized community. He set up many rules for the monks of Meteora to follow. Hence, initiating the second phase of a more organized monastic development at Meteora.

In the 14th century, another monk named Athanasios climbed on the second-highest rock to establish the first of Meteora monasteries, the Great Meteoron. He is regarded today as one of the most important figures in the history of Meteora monasteries. This was because he was the founder of one of the most important monastic communities of the Orthodox Church, second only to Athos. By the following two centuries, at the height of Meteora’s monastic community, the number of monasteries existing in this place had reached twenty-four. Lastly, by the 17th century, the monasteries started declining and eventually only six remained active.

The six monasteries are:

The Great Meteoron

The Great Meteoron is the oldest and largest monastery of Meteora. This monastery is also known as the Monastery of the Transfiguration.

Monastery of Varlaam

The Monastery of Varlaam is the second largest monastery and its name Varlaam comes from a monk named the same who scaled the rocks in 1350 and began the construction of these holy places.

Monastery of Rousanou

The Monastery of Rousanou was built in the 14th century and its name comes from the first group of monks who settles on the rock from Russia.

Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas

The Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas was founded in the late 14th century, and it served as a resting place for pilgrims. It got its name “Anapausas” which referred to the word anapafseos which meant ‘resting’.

Monastery of the Holy Trinity

The Monastery of the Holy Trinity was believed to be built between the years 1475 and 1476.

Monastery of St. Stephen

The Monastery of St. Stephen is located on a plateau-like structure and is built in the same century as the others. It remains as one of the six monasteries that can be visited presently.

So, this was all about the Monasteries of Meteora. It is interesting how people during ancient times used the unusual and unique landscapes of nature to build religious shrines.

William Scott Downey rightly said, “Religion is the clearest telescope through which we can behold the beauties of creation.” Thank you!

Credits

Wikipedia for source of information

visitmeteora.travel for source of information