The Monastery of Arsenius of Cappadocia is a monastery consecrated in honor of one of the greatest saints of the 20th century.
There are many revered saints in Greece. But two of them are unanimously recognized as the greatest - St. Paisius and St. Arsenius of Cappadocia. It so happens that St. Arsenius was the mentor and godfather of Paisius, whose secular name was also Arsenius. It was Paisii who did not let the community forget his teacher and contributed to the finding of his relics, as well as writing the hagiography of the Venerable. In the history of Orthodoxy, Arsenius of Cappadocia is known for confirmed cases of healing. In honor of him a monastery was built in Halkidiki, a place of pilgrimage for believers from all over the world.
The Monastery of Arsenios of Cappadocia is located 90 km from Thessaloniki, in the mountain resort of Vatopedi, between the two "fingers" of the peninsula of Halkidiki - Kassandra and Sithonia. The place is blessed in every way: the Ormilia convent is nearby and the view from here is beautiful. But most importantly, however, is the very person of St. Arsenios, whose life and deeds attract Orthodox believers.
Arsenios was born in the Turkish village of Farasi, in Cappadocia. Becoming a monk, he spent time in prayer and was a spiritual guide to his fellow villagers. Possessing the gift of healing, Arsenios did not refuse anyone - he treated both Turks and Greeks for free. And he also affirmed the Orthodox faith in Asia Minor, preserving the Greek culture and language. It is said that by prayers alone, Saint Arsenii healed from paralysis, deafness, and other severe ailments, including mental illnesses. Arsenii foresaw his own death - he died in 1924 on the island of Corfu, where he had arrived together with hundreds of thousands of Christians - refugees from Asia Minor and the Black Sea region. In 1986, Arsenius of Cappadocia was canonized.
The monastery in Halkidiki was founded in the same 1986. This was made possible thanks to the elder Paisii, who devoted most of his life to preserving the memory of Arsenius of Cappadocia. It is a small and relatively young monastery, but it is interesting with its architecture. The main cathedral of the monastery is in Byzantine style. The monastery is inhabited by 18 monks, who take care of the picturesque garden of the monastery. In the garden there is a commemorative plaque dedicated to the Metropolitan of Cassandra, Synesius, who held his position for 40 years. He opened the monastery in 1986 with the blessing of the elder Paisios.
The monastery contains a remarkable collection of holy relics. Here there are pieces of relics of John Chrysostom, St. Nektarius, the Apostle Paul and St. Arsenios, which are the main relics of the monastery. The monastery is also famous for its large collection of icons. Some of them are unique - their age counts several centuries. At the monastery operates a small bookstore with literature in different languages, including children's books. They are dedicated to the lives of revered saints in Greece. In the church shop you can buy icons and woodwork made by the hands of the monks.
Every year on November 10 the monastery celebrates the Day of the Assumption of Arsenios of Cappadocia. On this day hundreds of believers come here to worship the shrines. And during the big Christian holidays (Trinity and Easter) in the main cathedral of the monastery services are organized. After the services in the refectory the faithful are treated to lukum and Greek coffee. Another reason to visit the monastery of Arsenius of Cappadocia is its observation deck. It is situated on a small hill, which offers picturesque views.
The Monastery of Arsenios of Cappadocia is on the road to the popular resorts of the Sithonia peninsula. At only 11 km away is Ormos Panagias, a small harbor town famous for its clean bays and good tavernas. From Ormos Panagias begins the cruise to Athos.
At 8 km from the monastery is located the resort of Metamorfosi. It is a popular tourist center with beautiful sandy beaches, surrounded by pine trees. From the monastery of St. Arsenios one can also get to the resort-town Nikiti and the village Vatopedi which is sometimes mistaken for the monastery of the same name on Mount Athos. Vatopedi is a place for a quiet family vacation surrounded by picturesque nature. Nearby is the resort village Psakudia.
From Thessaloniki: take bus number 45 to K.T.E.L. From Thessaloniki: by bus #45 to K.T.E.L. Halkidikis, then by shuttle bus to Sithonia resorts (Metamorfosi, Ormos Panagias or Nikiti), where you can reach the monastery in a few minutes by cab.
From Thessaloniki airport: Take bus 79 to IKEA, then take bus 36 to K.T.E.L. Halkidikis, where you take a shuttle bus to the resorts of Sithonia. From there, take a cab to the monastery.
