Petraki Monastery has existed for
more than 1000 years. The ''Katholiko'', i.e. the central church within the
monastery, is built in the Byzantine style, the oldest style of church
architecture in Southern Greece.
The Monastery was renovated in
1673 by the Physician priest and monk, Parthenios Petrakis. Parthenios and his
successors protected the Monastery from barbarian assaults and endowed it with
lands, properties, and other materials necessary for its maintenance. A
considerable quantity of Greek and foreign documents, dating between 1672 and
1820 are preserved in the files of the Monastery. They reveal that the greater
proportion of the property belonging to the Monastery entered in to its
possession through personal gifts and spiritual dedications made during those
years.
The Monastery is known for its
intensive and remarkable philanthropic programme. For example, during the
Ottoman domination of Greece it:
a. Offered free medical care and treatment on request,
b. Developed and maintained an elementary, primary and secondary
school,
c. During
1806- 1821 established the “Deka school” - education focused upon the Greek
language and classical Greek,
d. In 1812 founded a school for scientific research in 1812.
Τhe Monastery had an important
role in supporting the Greek people during their struggle for independence and
freedom. After Greece acquired independence in 1821, the Monastery continued to
contribute to the welfare of the newly established Hellenic State.
From 1834- 1846 the monastery
served as a military hospital. In 1922 it received refugees from Asia Minor. It
has also provided accommodation for theological students studying in the School
of Theology, at the University of Athens. Later on a separate building was
constructed dedicated to the needs of theological students.
During the Second World War the
Monastery distributed food to the poor and at the same time provided free
medicine to the neighbouring population. Since the establishment of the modern
Hellenic State in 1833 the Monastery has donated 170 parcels of land for
welfare purposes. To the Greek Government it gave several acres of land for
constructing central institutions like the National Gallery and buildings
associated with the Greek Universities.
Nowadays the monastery is still
known as ‘’MONI PETRAKI’’. It continues to live out its significant and
spiritual role within the Orthodox Church. It remains a unique place of prayer
and consecration through its worship and dedication to the Lord.
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