Holy Monastery of Agioi Anargyroi in Melissotopos

Monastery of Melissotopos: Nearly a Millennium of History and Spiritual Legacy

The Holy Monastery of Agioi Anargyroi (Kosmas and Damianos) in Melissotopos is the oldest monastery in the Kastoria region, located 24 kilometers from the city and just 2 kilometers from the village of Melissotopos. It was founded in 1080, during the reign of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, originally dedicated to Agios Panteleimon. The site was considered sacred due to the presence of a holy spring associated with the Virgin Mary. In 1457, two monks from the Ecumenical Patriarchate renovated the monastery and rededicated it to Agioi Anargyroi (Kosmas and Damianos), the Holy Unmercenaries, known for offering healing without payment — a tradition of compassion that lives on.

The monastery has endured a tumultuous history. During an attack by Turkish-Albanian raiders in 1734, it was destroyed, but later rebuilt in 1754 by Abbot Gerasimos, a monk from Sifnos. In 1858, the current catholicon (main church) was inaugurated — one of the largest and most magnificent in Macedonia, adorned with marble, stone carvings, and a wood-carved iconostasis. Despite hardships and destruction over the centuries, the monastery was refounded in 1964 by Abbot Ambrosios Poulios, who brought new spiritual vitality to the site.

Today, the monastery is renowned for its numerous chapels and pilgrimage shrines, such as those dedicated to Agios Ioannis Prodromos and the Abbas Poimen and Moses the Ethiopian. The surrounding area, with its picturesque paths and caves, evokes a desert-like spiritual wilderness, ideal for prayer, solitude, and reflection.

The Holy Monastery of Agioi Anargyroi remains a significant religious and historical center, not only for Kastoria but for the whole of Western Macedonia. With its rich history, architectural grandeur, and deep spiritual heritage, it continues to be a place of hope, healing, and inner peace for pilgrims and visitors from across the globe.

Information

Holy Monastery of Agioi Anargyroi, Melissotopos, Kastoria, 52052

Phone: +302467098309

Highlights

• The Main Church (Katholikon). Built in 1858, the imposing catholicon is dedicated to Agioi Anargyroi (Kosmas and Damianos). It features intricate stone carvings and a wood-carved iconostasis, with icons dating back to 1763.

• Chapel of Agios Nektarios. Located in the southern wing, this chapel honors Agios Nektarios, who lived an ascetic life here after 1460. It is noted for its warm, terracotta-hued architecture.

• The Hermitages (Askitaria). The area surrounding the monastery includes secluded hermitages dedicated to Agios Ioannis Prodromos and Abbas Poimen and Moses the Ethiopian, offering an atmosphere of monastic solitude and serenity.

• The Skete of Agios Ioannis Prodromos. Built into steep cliffs, this remote skete creates a dramatic yet peaceful setting for spiritual retreat.

• The Holy Spring of the Virgin Mary. A sacred spring near the monastery has long been associated with miraculous healings, making it a destination of faith and devotion.

• The Historical Library. Once home to valuable manuscripts and theological works, the library was damaged by fire but reopened in 2001. It is now one of the most extensive religious libraries in the region.

• The Courtyard and Surrounding Chapels. Beautifully landscaped with lush gardens and quiet chapels, the courtyard provides a space for contemplation and prayer.

• The Ecclesiastical Museum. Housing relics from the monastery's history, the museum includes icons, liturgical items, and religious books, showcasing the monastic tradition.

• The Monastic Desert. The surrounding wilderness offers a deeply contemplative setting, echoing the atmosphere of the early Christian desert fathers.