“The Athonite dependency in the capital city of Athens.” Does that spark your curiosity? Today, we are standing before the beautiful \u0391\u03bd\u03ac\u03bb\u03b7\u03c8\u03b7 \u039a\u03c5\u03c1\u03af\u03bf\u03c5. It is located in the area of Vyronas. It is a dependency of Simonopetra Monastery of Mount Athos. This Holy Ascension was one of the most important spiritual centers.
Let’s step back in time. Monk Moses wrote in his book about Ieronymos of Simonopetra. He was the Elder of Holy Ascension. Monk Moses noted that Holy Ascension and Prophet Elisseus were the two deepest refreshing centers in Athens in 1931.
The church constantly gathered Kollyvades. They were lovers of monasticism and Athonites. They loved vigils, services and feasts. They were humble lovers of virtue. Holy Ascension was frequented by notable figures. St. Nicholas Planas, St. Savas of Kalymnos and Elder Philotheos Zervakos visited often. St. Amphilochios Makris and Athanasios of Neratziotissas also came. Many Athonite Fathers visited. They showed that holiness lives on.
The history of the Church of Holy Ascension began early in the 20th century. The Elder Levite Ignatios left property to the Monastery. He wished it to be “unto memory of his parents and his.” Ignatios was the uncle of the learned Monk Neilos of Simonopetra. At that time, the area around was uninhabited. It took a long time to build a road to reach the area.
Good Athonite Spiritual Fathers and stewards managed the Metochi. Through vigils, holy confessions and sermons, they made the place known to Athenians. The forebearers of Elder Ieronymos also contributed. Panaretos and John were spiritual fathers from Katounakia. Methodios of Kavsokalyvia also contributed. The great cave-dweller Panaretos and Matthew the spiritual father left many examples of spiritual life for their church-goers.
Elder Ieronymos’s time was a major period. He lived a virtuous life. He gave sermons. He heard holy confessions. He was known for almsgiving and many gifts. To this day, daily services occur there according to the Athonite typikon. There are frequent vigils.
The Metochi serves as a good witness of Mount Athos to Athens. Besides those who live there and love it, many lovers of Mount Athos travel there to participate in services.
\u0391\u03bd\u03ac\u03bb\u03b7\u03c8\u03b7 \u039a\u03c5\u03c1\u03af\u03bf\u03c5 also has the grave of St. Ieronymos. It also contains a portion of his Holy Relics. According to the request of the faithful, they are put forward for veneration daily.
Consider \u0391\u03bd\u03ac\u03bb\u03b7\u03c8\u03b7 \u039a\u03c5\u03c1\u03af\u03bf\u03c5. It is more than a church. It is a living testament to faith. It is a connection to Mount Athos. It is a place where holiness thrives even today.