Monastery of Philotheou

The Holy Monastery of Philotheou stands on the northeast side of Mount Athos, between the Kathisma of Mylopotamos and Karakallou Monastery, on a wooded slope at an altitude of 533 metres. The earliest known reference is documented in 1015, when it was originally recorded as Pteris Monastery (the Monastery of Fern). Tradition holds it was founded in the late 10th century by the blessed Philotheus, a disciple of Saint Athanasius the Athonite. The monastery remained obscure until the 14th century, when Serbian and Bulgarian monks settled there. After they left at the end of the 16th century, it declined until Greek princes of Moldavia and Wallachia made grants in the 18th century, funding guest quarters, cells and chapels. The katholikon was built in 1746 on the ruins of an earlier building. Since 1574, the monastery has held the 12th position in the hierarchy of the 20 Athonite monasteries.