Monastery of St. John the Theologian, Souroti, Orthodox convent in Souroti, Greece
The Monastery of St. John the Theologian, also known as the Holy Hesychasterion of Saint John the Theologian, is a convent in Souroti, near Thessaloniki, Greece. It consists of a modern complex with two churches, living quarters for the nuns, and large grounds, and it belongs to the Orthodox Church of Greece.
The convent was founded in 1972 and has since grown into a large community with around 60 nuns. Saint Paisios, who was the spiritual father of the sisterhood, died in 1994 and was buried on the grounds, which turned the place into a major pilgrimage site.
The monastery is a place of pilgrimage for many Orthodox Christians, who come to pray at the tomb of Saint Paisios the Athonite, a revered spiritual figure. The nuns follow a monastic life, and visitors can often see them going about their daily tasks or attending services in the main church.
Visitors should dress modestly: women are asked to wear long skirts and avoid trousers, while men should wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves. The monastery is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, but closed during Clean Week and Holy Week, so it is wise to check the days before going.
The tomb of Saint Paisios lies next to the main church, which is dedicated to Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia, and the relics of Saint Arsenios are also kept there. Many visitors are surprised to learn that the monastery does not provide skirts or scarves for visitors, so they must come properly dressed.
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