The seven-storey monastery is a miracle of Athos architecture, it is located in the southwestern part of the peninsula and is located on top of a sheer cliff 230 meters high. The limited area of ​​the rock forced the building to be raised in height, increasing the number of storeys of buildings with terraces and balconies hanging over the abyss. The monastery is very cramped and dark, for its entire interior is gathered under one roof, from the middle of which the dome of the cathedral extends upwards. From the sea, Simonopetra looks like an impregnable medieval castle.

An extremely difficult road, carved in zigzags in sheer stones, leads to it from the pier. The rock with the mainland of Athos is connected by a narrow gallery, thrown over the abyss, in the form of a drawbridge. From the same, northern side, the outer monastery gates open under the arch of the aqueduct, through which a mountain stream flows into the monastery. Almost the entire neighborhood of Simonopetra is deserted and rocky. It takes an hour to get to the nearest monastery of Gregory, and five hours to Kary.

Simonopetra means "Stone of Simon". The rock for the future monastery was indicated, by revelation, by the hermit Simon, the Holy Mountain saint, nicknamed myrrh-streaming because, after his death, his relics exuded myrrh. It is not known where he came from and how he came to the Holy Mountain. Here, after a long search, Simon found a loving old man, with whom he lived in obedience for some time. Having reached the measure of an associate of that elder, the monk left him and, desiring perfect silence, settled in a solitary cave, from which a rock was visible, where the future monastery would be erected.

Simon spent many years in a cave, waging continuous spiritual warfare with the enemy of his salvation, who appeared to him in the form of a terrible dragon. From extreme sorrows and hardships, the hermit used to be exhausted, but a wondrous voice strengthened him: “Be of good courage and be strong, obedient and faithful servant of My Son!” Having learned about the strict life of Simon and his special gift of prudence, many of the Athonites began to go to him, receiving great benefit for the soul. The fame of the saint spread throughout Macedonia and Thessaly, for many were aware of his gift of clairvoyance and foresight. Weary of his position, Simon wanted to go to a more secluded place. But one day before the Nativity of Christ, during the prayer of the hermit, the cave was filled with fragrance and there was a voice from above: “Simon! Do not go away from here, I decided to glorify this place, you will be a light for it, and your name will be glorious. For several nights in a row, outside the cave, Simon saw a star descend from the sky and stand above the rock. And on the night of the Nativity of Christ, he again heard the divine voice: “Simon! You must establish a monastic community here. Leave your doubt, I myself will be your helper, otherwise you will be punished for your unbelief. A few days later, three brothers, wealthy laymen, came to him in a cave, begging him to accept himself as an obedience.

Their intensified prayer touched the monk and, after a due trial, he clothed them in the rank of angels. The brethren lovingly offered him all their wealth for the establishment of coenobitia. When the masters who came to the construction found out that they were to build on the top of a sheer cliff, they abandoned this dangerous undertaking. Then St. Simon invited the masters to a meal. While eating, one of the novices, bringing them wine, slipped and fell off a rock into a terrible abyss, holding a vessel in one hand and a poured glass of wine in the other.

Struck by the accident, the craftsmen sternly remarked to Simon that if they decided to build a monastery here, there could be many such deaths. The saint did not answer them, but secretly prayed to the Mother of God, asking for Her intercession. In less than half an hour, a fallen novice came out from the opposite side, unharmed and even with an unspilled glass of wine. This miracle marked the beginning of the construction of the monastery on the "Simon's Stone".

On December 28, 1287, Simon committed his holy soul to God. Seven years later, through prayer to the monk, the demon-possessed daughter of the Serbian ruler John Uglesh was healed. In gratitude for such a miracle, the father communicated with the Prot of the Holy Mountain, asking permission to build a monastery for St. Simon with royal splendor. All the Athonites accepted this proposal with love and gratitude. The surviving acts testify to the generosity of royal gifts. After some time in Simonopetra, the son of Uglesh took his hair, humbly fulfilling the obedience of the monastery gardener. Only before his death, having become a chosen vessel of Divine grace, did the prince reveal the secret of his origin...

The history of the first two centuries of the existence of the monastery is little known - fires destroyed many evidence. In 1581, for some time, Simonopetr was abandoned by the monks, who moved to the monastery of Xenophon. In the 17th century, the monastery of St. Simone had an idiorhythmic device, and since 1801 - a cine-ovial one. In 1891, the monastery was once again badly damaged by fire. The fire engulfed all the buildings, and the monks only miraculously escaped. The relics and the library of the monastery, the Byzantine paintings of the cathedral church in the name of the Nativity of the Virgin were destroyed. The restoration of Simonopetr was made possible thanks to the generous donations of believers from Russia. The cathedral church of the Nativity of the Virgin, rebuilt after a fire, has not yet been painted. In addition to the cathedral, there are 11 chapels on the territory of the monastery.

Among the shrines there is a particle of the Life-Giving Tree of the Cross of the Lord, a part of the left hand of Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, parts of the hands of the mts. Evdokia and VMC. Barbarians, relics of many other saints. Nowadays there are 60 monks in Simonopetra.

Simonopetra Athos

Hegumen: Archim. Emilian.

Tel. (30-377) 23254.

Fax (30-377) 23722.

Monastery Simonopetra on Mount Athos

The seven-storey monastery of Simonopetr is, without exaggeration, a miracle. It is located in the southwestern part of the peninsula and was built in the 14th century on top of a sheer cliff 230 meters high. Consecrated in honor of the Nativity of Christ.

Tradition

According to legend, the decision to build the monastery was made by the hermit Simon, who saw a luminous dot on the top of the rock on Christmas night from his dwelling. At the beginning, the monastery was called "New Bethlehem", then it received the name of its founder and the rock on which it was built - Simonopetr ("petra" - stone). The monastery was founded with the assistance and benefits John Uglesh, Serbian despot, grateful to St. Simon for healing his daughter. The arrangement of this monastery is marvelous even for Athos a;only miraculous signs could induce the hermit and the craftsmen, who hesitated for a long time, to erect a huge building on such a sheer stone, over the abyss.

The history of the first two centuries of the existence of the monastery is practically unknown. The fires destroyed all evidence.

In 1581, the monastery of Simonopetr was abandoned for some time by the monks, who moved to the neighboring monastery of Xenophon. In the 17th century, the monastery had an idiorhythmic device, and since 1801 it had a cinovial one.

(Drawing by Grigorovich-Barsky)

In 1363 the monastery was completely rebuilt thanks to the generous donation of the Serbian sovereign John, revered in connection with this as the second founder of the monastery. He holds 13th place.

In 1570, as a result of a fire, priceless documents disappeared, in particular about the Byzantine period of his life.

In 1622 there was another fire that damaged the collection of monastery chronicles. Simonopetr, who was a dormitory according to the charter, becomes a private one in the 17th century. Although it was never ruined by pirates, the unbearable taxes of the Turks led the monks to leave the monastery.

Russian pilgrim-walker Vasily (Grigorovich-Barsky) visited Iver in 1744. Wanderer described what he saw:

The monastery was completely abandoned in 1821, during the Greek struggle for independence, like many other monasteries, and most of the monks left these places.

In 1891, the monastery once again suffered from a fire. The fire engulfed all the premises of the monastery, and the inhabitants were miraculously able to escape. All the relics and the library of the monastery were destroyed. The restoration of Simonopetra was made possible thanks to the support of Russian believers who generously helped the monastery by collecting donations in Russia.

By the heroic efforts of the hieromonk Joasaph of Mytilene Asimopetra(as the monastery was called during the period of Turkish oppression), the monastery came to life again at the end of the 18th century. 19th century I saw the construction of a multi-storey building on the south side of the monastery. In 1891, another fire destroyed the old buildings and monastery treasures.

The cathedral church of the Monastery of the Nativity of Christ was built after the last fire and has not yet been painted.

Tradition

... Noticing the difficult position of the elder, some respected monks of Athos, including Patriarch Seraphim, advised him to move to the more spacious monastery of Simopetra, which at that time was not occupied by anyone, since the brethren left it due to debt. Paisius petitioned the Cathedral of the Holy Mountain, which allowed him to go to Simopetra.

The elder moved on, taking half of the brethren with him. But he lived in a new place for only three months. Turkish creditors, having learned that monks had appeared in the monastery, immediately came to demand their debt and forcibly took 700 leva from the elder. Frightened by other lenders, the elder hastened to leave Simopetra and returned to the Elias Skete...

This is not true. The biographer of the elder Schemamonk Mitrofan directly writes that in Simonopetra "there were a few Greek brethren", who thus "cheated" Paisius, he paid part of the debt for the Greeks and was forced to leave on good terms ... However, in the East such an attitude is considered valor. .. - www.site

The monastery has, in addition to the cathedral, fifteen churches and chapels, as well as cells and kathisma. Many of them were damaged by another large fire in August 1990.

In the present century Simonopetr experienced a period of restoration and prosperity, especially after the liberation of the Holy Mountain from the Turks and under the enlightened leadership of the abbots Neofit, Ioannikios and Jerome. However, in the 50s, as well as in 1963, when Athos celebrated its millennium, the prospects for the monastery were rather gloomy. Nevertheless, in the 70s, the time came for a gradual revival and revival of monastic life...

More precisely: the Brotherhood from the monasteries of Meteor, fleeing from numerous pilgrims, populated the monastery and breathed into it new life, bringing with them their old traditions, so many of these traditions are not accepted on Athos - www.site.

Once the monastery had a large number of farmsteads on fertile lands. The oldest of them is Petriotiko in Sithonia. Today, the monastery courtyards are located in Thessaloniki, Athens, Chalkidiki, France and Romania.

Among the numerous shrines monasteries are especially distinguished:
. The right hand of Mary Magdalene, which has been preserved imperishable and warm for 2000 years - www.site.
. Part Life-Giving Cross Lord's
. Part of the relics of Prmch. Evdokia
. Part of the relics of the Great Martyr. Barbarians

More:

In addition to a part of the Life-Giving Tree of the Cross of the Lord, the relics of the following saints are located here: part of the left hand of St. Mary Magdalene; part of the hand of the Reverend. Evdokia; part by St. great martyr. Barbarians; foot of St. torment. Kirika; head of St. Paul the Confessor; head of St. torment. Sergius; head of St. Modest, Patriarch of Jerusalem; parts of St. great martyr. Panteleimon, St. John the Baptist; St. torment. Paraskeva; St. Charalampia; St. Simeon the Stylite; St. unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian; the blood of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica; part of the relics of St. Theodora of Alexandria.

In addition to the cathedral church, there are chapels here:

1) Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos;

2) St. Archangels;

3) St. George the Victorious;

4) St. Nicholas the Wonderworker;

5) St. Mary Magdalene;

6) St. Charalampia;

7) St. Ap. John the Theologian;

8) St. great martyr. Demetrius;

9) St. torment. Mines;

10) teacher Simone.

Outside the monastery there are 5 churches.

Simonopetra - Philotheus (trails)

Simonopetra - 240

Blue path Simonopetra - Filofey. E then the most ancient path of Athos, leading through a beautiful gorge with waterfalls and rocks.

The main landmark on Ridge 243 is a man-made lake.

Main in 1257, the patronal feast of December 25/January 7, the day of the Nativity of Christ, and July 22/August 4, the day of St. Mary Magdalene. Hegumen: archim. Emilian. Tel. (30-377) 23254. Fax (30-377) 23722.

Simonopetra Monastery

The seven-storey Simonopetrov Monastery is the most architecturally daring building of Athos, a miracle of monastic architecture. It stands literally nailed to a steep, towering rock, overlooking the usually calm sea off the southwest side of the peninsula with majestic views. The monastic holiday is the Nativity of Christ (December 25) in memory of the vision of its founder.

The founder of the monastery was St. Simon, who lived on Mount Athos approximately in the middle of the thirteenth century. This saint lived as a hermit near these places and one day, on the night of the Nativity of Christ, he saw a radiance on the rock, guided by which he came here and began to build a monastery. In this difficult matter, Simon was also helped by other monks who came to retire from the world near the saint, and some of them sacrificed their fortune for this purpose. However, according to the legend that tells about the construction of the monastery, the first companions of Simon, as the building grew upwards, began to experience fear and, finally, decided to leave, leaving the work only half completed.

At first, the monastery was named "New Bethlehem" by Simon, but then it received its current name in honor of its founder and the rock (petra) on which it stands.

The first buildings were built thanks to a noble donation made in 1362 by the Serbian king John Uglesh, who, in accordance with his chrysovul, sent the epistatist Euthymius here with numerous gifts and material means to complete the monastery. So, thanks to this and other donations, a period of upswing began in the history of the monastery. In the Third Charter of the Holy Mountain (1394), the monastery ranks twenty-third among the monasteries. It has several farmsteads in different places outside of Athos.

However, then the rise of the monastery was interrupted due to a number of unfavorable events. In 1581, a fire broke out that destroyed the entire monastery along with its archives, and after restoration, the monastery burned down a second time in 1626. Thus, as expected, the monastery found itself in a very difficult financial situation, and for this reason, at the end of the 17th century, it was forced to become idiorhythmic. However, the situation did not change, and the decline of the monastery continued, this time leading to almost complete desolation. Fortunately for the monastery, in 1762, together with other monks, the Serbian hieromonk Paisiy Velichkovsky arrived here, who, although he lived here for a short time, provided significant assistance to the monastery. Josaphat of Mitylene also showed considerable concern for the monastery, collecting funds from various sources and acquiring the left hand of St. Magdalene for the monastery, which is still here.

Thanks to these efforts, the monastery managed to somewhat overcome the crisis, and in accordance with the decree of Patriarch Kallinikos (1801), he again became a cenobitic.

During the years of the National Liberation War in Simonopetrov, as in other monasteries, only a few monks remained, so for some time it was generally closed.

Simonopetra Monastery

AT late XIX century (May 28, 1891) there was an even more terrible fire, as a result of which the monastery burned down entirely along with the cathedral and the library, and the monks themselves managed to escape only at the last moment, leaving through some hole and taking with them the holy relics. This time the monastery was restored thanks to donations collected in Russia, and a new seven-story side was also added, which began to be built in 1864 under the abbot Neophyte.

Monastic Cathedral, dedicated to the Nativity of Christ, was built after the last fire and looks quite small. Currently, he has no fresco painting. The cathedral is located approximately in the center of a cramped courtyard, and its narthex is built into the western wing of the cells.

The monastery also has many chapels. On the territory of the monastery there are 4 chapels - St. George, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Harlampy and Arkhangelskaya (all chapels without frescoes), and outside its territory there are 11 more chapels - in the cemetery, on the pier and in various exartims - cells and kathisma. Many of them burned down during a big fire on Mount Athos in August 1990.

The monastery also owns 5 cells on the territory of Karyes, of which the cell of All Saints is its representation, as well as other buildings in Karyes and Daphne, which the monastery rents from various institutions and individuals. Finally, outside Athos, the monastery has the following courtyards - Ascension in Athens, St. Harlampy in Thessaloniki, Transfiguration in Ormylia in Chalkidike, St. Artemy and St. Antipas in Sifnos and Virgin Triga in Lemnos.

Simonopetra Monastery

As for the regalia, the Simonopetrov Monastery does not appear to be particularly rich, but it has a part of the Life-Giving Tree of the Holy Cross, relics of a number of saints, including the hand of St. and etc.

Library was quite wealthy until the last fire in 1891. She had at her disposal many, including very valuable manuscripts, which S. Lambros had recently added to the list. At present, the monastery has 123 later manuscripts in the sacristy, as well as quite a large number printed books in another room.

The Simonopetrov Monastery adheres to the cenobitic system of life and government and ranks thirteenth among the monasteries of Athos. Currently, the monastery is experiencing a period of growth, it is home to a total of about 100 monks.

Tradition.

The monastery was founded in the 13th century by St. Simon, who gave it the name "New Bethlehem".

Saint Simon led a hermit life. Being in unceasing prayer, he often saw a very bright, large star above a nearby rock. He watched her for about two years. The star then disappeared from sight, then again sparkled in the darkness of the night. The monk felt: this luminary reveals to him God's will, and a monastery should be erected on the rock.

Venerable Simon the Myrrh-streaming, Simonopetra

The pious hermit aroused great respect among those around him, so there was no shortage of volunteers for the construction. But it is always difficult to work at a height, and construction gradually approached the edge of the cliff. It became more and more difficult for the monks. But then the Queen of Heaven Herself helped them.

One day, Saint Simon asked a young man named Isaiah, his cell-attendant, to bring some wine to the working brethren. A terrible thing happened: he fell off a cliff. Saint Simon did not have time to grab him, although he was standing nearby. But he managed to appeal to the Heavenly Intercessor for the salvation of the young monk. What happened next?

Father Simon, grieving, asked the monks to go downstairs and bring the body of Isaiah. They soon returned ... with him, alive and unharmed, not even spilling wine! Undoubtedly, Herself Holy Mother of God helps us in our labors, and nothing will happen to us, - the monks decided and continued the construction, which was soon successfully completed. Since then, this place has been called "Simonopetr" ("Simon's stone"), remembering the firm, like a stone, faith of the founder of the monastery.

And the appearance of the star, which revealed the will of God to St. Simon, led him to think about the Star of Bethlehem, and the monastery was consecrated in honor of the Nativity of Christ.

Simonopetra (Σιμωνόπετρα) is a 13th century monastery built on the edge of a sheer cliff. Simonopetr Monastery is located on the southwestern slope of Mount Athos between the Daphni pier and the Grigoriat Monastery on one of the high rocks, open from three sides and looks like it is floating. The monastery was founded by St. Simon, an Athos monk of the 13th century, who called his offspring "New Bethlehem". Saint Simon, living as a hermit in these places, for two years saw an unusually bright star over the edge of the cliff.

Simonopetra Monastery is located on the southwestern slope of Mount Athos on one of the high rocks, open from three sides and looks like it is floating.

He founded the monastery of St. teacher Simon in the thirteenth century. As the legend tells, it was the revelation of the Queen of Heaven to St. Simon to build a monastery at the indicated place.

The masters who came to the construction did not dare to start building a huge building on such a sheer stone, over an abyss, bearing in mind the possibility of an earthquake, which is not uncommon on Athos. Finally, they just gave up.

Then St. Simon invited the masters to a meal.

While eating, one of the novices, bringing them wine, slipped and fell off a cliff into the abyss, holding a vessel in one hand and a poured glass of wine in the other. Struck by the accident, the craftsmen sternly noticed Ven. Simon that if they decided to build a monastery here, there could be many similar deaths. St. Simon answered nothing, secretly prayed to the Theotokos.

And what? Suddenly, a novice comes out from the opposite side, carelessly falling into the abyss, unharmed and even with wine not spilled from a glass. This miracle marked the beginning of the construction of the monastery of St. Simon, hence the name "Simonopetr", which means Simon's stone.

The Serbian ruler John Uglesh, who was grateful to Saint Simon for the healing of his daughter, greatly contributed to the construction of the Simonopetra monastery; subsequently John became a monk of the monastery.

The limited area of ​​the rock made it necessary to raise the building to a height, hence the multi-storey buildings with terraces and balconies hanging over the abyss.

The monastery of Simonopetra burned several times (fire in 1581 and 1621), was devastated by barbarian raids, but was revived again. The main cathedral church is dedicated to the Nativity of Christ (December 25 according to the Julian calendar). Among the shrines, a particle of the life-giving Cross of the Lord is kept; part of the hand of St. Mary Magdalene, part of the hand of St. teacher torment. Evdokia, part of the hand of St. great martyr. Barbarians, foot of St. torment. Kirikos, head of St. Paul the Confessor, the foot of St. torment. Sergius, head of St. Modest, Patriarch of Jerusalem; particles of the relics of saints: great martyr. Panteleimon, John the Baptist, St. Martyr Tryphon, St. Prophet Nahum, St. torment. Paraskeva, St. Simeon the Stylite and many others.

In addition to the Cathedral Church, the monastery has eleven chapels.

Nowadays, the monastery of Simonopetra is inhabited by 60 monks.

Shrines of Simonopetra Monastery

Particles of the Life-Giving Tree of the Cross of the Lord;

Particles of the Holy relics:


Saint John the Baptist,
Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon,
Great Martyr Paraskeva,
Great Martyr Barbara,
Martyr Evdokia,
head of Saint Paul the Confessor,
head of St. Modest, Patriarch of Jerusalem,
a particle of the relics of the prophet Nahum,
Venerable Dionysius of Zakynthos,
Martyr Sergius and others.

Monastery Simonopetra(Greek "Ιερά Μονή Σίμωνος Πέτρας", "Stone Simon"), 13th in the Athonite hierarchy, dedicated in honor of the Nativity of Christ. It is located on the western side of Mount Athos at an altitude of 230 meters above sea level. Simonopetra stands proudly on a sheer cliff, one of the most impressive and most complex buildings of its time in the world. It is even said to be the first "block" (high-rise building) in the world, since the monastery is a seven-story building that rises into the sky with towering magnificence.

According to legend, Simonopetra was founded in 1257 by the Monk Simon Myrrh-streaming, after whom the monastery got its name. Initially, the monastery was called "New Bethlehem", but according to Athos tradition the monks renamed it "Simonopetra" or "Stone of Simon", in honor of the strongest faith of the founder.
This saint lived as a hermit near these places. One night, while practicing prayer, the monk sees the cave, as before, illuminated by Divine light; an inexplicable fragrance spread around him, and then a voice was heard to him from above:
“Simon, Simon, faithful friend and servant of my Son! Do not go away from here, I decided to glorify this place, you will be a light for it, and your name will be glorious.
At first, Simon did not believe this vision out of a precaution, whether it was the snares of the evil one, knowing that, according to the Apostle, Satan would be transformed into an angel of light. That's why he still didn't stop thinking about where he could retire to silence. It was before Christmas. And then one night, leaving the cave, he sees a terrible phenomenon: it seemed to him that a star had descended from the sky and stood over the rock, where he subsequently created an honest monastery. This vision was repeated for several nights in a row, but St. Simon was still afraid that this was not an enemy action, and therefore did not trust him. When the night came on the Nativity of Christ, he sees again the bright star and hears the Divine voice:
– Simon! You must establish a monastic community here. Leave your doubt, I myself will be your Helper, otherwise you will be punished for your unbelief!

Main cathedral church monastery nativity of christ was built after the last fire in 1891.
On the territory of the monastery, in addition to the main temple, there are 4 churches: Mary Magdalene, St. Charalambius, George the Victorious, and the Holy Archangels. The monastery includes 11 chapels outside it, cells and kathisma.

In addition to the main cathedral church, there are chapels here: the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos; Sts. Archangels; St. George the Victorious; St. Nicholas the Wonderworker; St. Mary Magdalene; St. Charalampia; St. Ap. John the Evangelist; St. great martyr. Demetrius; St. torment. Mines; teacher. Simone. Outside the monastery there are 5 churches.

The monastery also owns 5 cells on the territory of Karyes, of which the cell of All Saints is its representation, as well as other buildings in Karyes and Daphne. In addition, outside of Athos, the monastery has the following courtyards - Ascension in Athens, St. Harlampy in Thessaloniki, Transfiguration in Ormylia in Chalkidike, St. Artemy and St. Antipas in Sifnos and Virgin Triga in Lemnos.

In Simonopetra there is a miraculous icon revered by all believers Mother of God - « eleovritissa”, i.e., Oil sharpening.
The choir of the Simonopetra monastery is known all over the world.

shrines: The main shrine of the monastery is the Hand of Mary Magdalene ( right hand according to which, according to tradition, she touched Christ). Part of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord; part by St. great martyr. Barbarians; part of the hand of the Reverend. Evdokia; foot of St. torment. Kirika; head of St. Paul the Confessor; head of St. torment. Sergius; head of St. Modest, Patriarch of Jerusalem; parts of St. Charalampia; St. great martyr. Panteleimon, St. John the Baptist; St. torment. Paraskeva; St. Simeon the Stylite; St. unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian; the blood of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica; part of the relics of St. Theodora of Alexandria.

Patronal feast of the monastery: December 25/January 7 (Christmas).
Other holidays: December 28 / January 10, the day of St. Simon the Myrrh-streaming, the founder of the monastery and
July 22 / August 4, on the day of St. Mary Magdalene.

Pilgrimage to Athos - Simonopetra Monastery
To visit the Simonopetra Monastery of the Holy Mountain, the pilgrim needs to obtain permission, a visa to enter Mount Athos - the so-called diamonitirion, which must be pre-ordered in advance using our service.
"GENIKO" diamonitirion (general permit for 20 monasteries) - gives the right to stay on overnight in any monastery Holy Mountain (subject to availability). We can assist in organizing accommodation in the monastery and book accommodations.
After receiving the diamonitirion, which is issued in the office (Graphio Proskiniton, Greek "ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΗΤΩΝ"), located in the city of Ouranoupolis, the pilgrim goes to the transportation office, where he buys a ticket for the ferry. The departure of the ferry from Ouranople to the monasteries of the western part of Athos to Daphne is carried out daily at 9:45.
Pilgrims wishing to visit the monasteries of Athos, which are located on the southwestern coast of Athos ( Simonopetra, Gregory, Dionysius, St. Paul, the monastery of St. Anna, Karula, Kerasia and Kavsokalivski Skete) can go by ferry or speedboat from Daphnia.
They can also leave Ouranoupoli at 6:30 a.m. on a ferry that goes to the Kavsokalivsky Skete. In this case, it is necessary to warn our service, take care in order to receive diamothirion from the captain of the ferry when landing in Ouranoupoli.

Pilgrims may get to Simonopetra Monastery a) by ferry from Daphne, or from Ouranoupolis, or from m. Grigoriat; b) on foot from Daphne or from metro Grigoriat 1 hour 10 minutes walk.