CONTENTS Prologue by the Reverend Metropolitan Bishop of Patrai, Chrysostomos 9 Prologue by A.G. Karavolas, Mayor of Patras 10 President of the Organising Body of "European Capital of Cultural -Patras 2006" Prologue by Christos Roilos 11 Coordinator of the Organising Body of "European Capital of Cultural -Patras 2006" Prologue by Alexis Alatsia 12 Artistic Director of the Organising Body of "European Capital of Cultural - Patras 2006" Introduction 13 Monasticism in Achaia in the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine period 15 AREA OF PATRAS - MOUNT PANACHAIKO Yirokomeio Monastery 25 Oblu Monastery 29 Pavlokastro: Monastery of the Analepsis Sotiros (Mintilogli) 34 Platani: Church of Ayios Nikolaos 38 Pititsa: Monastery of the Panayia Eleousa and church of the Analepsis 42 AREA OF AIGIO - MOUNT KLOKOS Church of Ayios Nikolaos in the Monastery of the Taxiarchs at Aigialeia 53 Old Monastery of the Taxiarchs, Hermitage of Hosios Leontios.. 54 New Monastery of the Taxiarchs at Aigialeia 60 WEST CHELMOS - RIVER VOURAIKOS Monastery of Ayia Triada 71 Ayia Moni - Koimesis Theotokou 75 Hermitages 77 The hermitage of Ayios Antonios 77 Ayiannis Kremastos 79 The hermitages ofAyioi Pantes 79 Monastery of Ayios Nikolaos Vouras 81 Mega Spilaio Monastery 83 Kalavryta: Monastery of Ayia Lavra - Palaiomonastiro 91 Monastery of Ayia Lavra - New Monastery 95 EAST CHELMOS - RIVER KRATHIS Akrata: Monastery of Ayia Triada - Old Monastery 107 Akrata: Monastery of Ayia Triada - New Monastery Ill Chalkianika: Monastery of the Panayia Katathesion or Kataphyion 113 Perithori: Monastery ofAyioi Apostoloi 116 Zarouchla: Monastery of Ayia Triada 121 Monastery of Ayios Georgios at Pheneos 128 MOUNT ERYMANTHOS (OLENOS) Alepochori: Monastery of the Archangel Michael 141 Velimachi (Selintza): Monastery of Ayioi Pantes 143 Monastery of the Panayia Chrysopodaritissa 149 Upper Monastery at Divri (Chrysopigi Monastery) 152 Lower Monastery at Divri 157 Poretsos (Agrambela): Monastery of the Koimesis Theotokou 161 Leivartzi: Monastery of Ayia Triada 166 Aroania: Monastery of Ayioi Theodoroi 170 MOUNTS MOVRI AND SKOLIS Church of Ayios Dimitrios at Bada (Dragano) 181 Maritsa Monastery 185 Philokalli Monastery 190 Mount Skolis, Portes: Cave of Ayios Georgios 191 Mount Skolis, Santameri: Cave of the Panayia 195 Glossary 201 General Bibliography 205 Index 209 8.