At the foothills of Olympus, at the location of “Panagia” (Virgin Mary), at the borders of the Olympus and Pieria, near the village of Kontariotissa of Katerini, is built the nunnery of the great Father of Orthodoxy, Saint Ephrem the Syrian. In fact, it is the only pilgrimage of the saint in Hellas.
According to the web site of the Holy Monastery, it was God's will for the “settler of Olympus”, Saint Dionysios of Olympus, to bring together almost twelve centuries and to spiritually associate with another “settler of the desert”, Saint Ephrem the Syrian.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Ephrem the Syrian was founded in 1983, as a private hermitage and since 1985 it officially belongs to the Holy Metropolis of Kitros and Katerini.
The impressive building of the monastery was constructed and is constantly being renovated, in private fields, purchased by the nuns.
The monastery stands out for its natural beauty within it, as well as for the existence of a small zoo that impresses the visitor.
The view from the monastery is wonderful. In front of you, on the east, you can see, not far away, the blue and famous coasts of Pieria until the Gulf of Thessaloniki, the Nymph of the North, the beautiful city of Thessaloniki and the surroundings, and in the depth a mental breath to Mount Athos. Northeast lies the beautiful city of Katerini, the heart of the Prefecture of Pieria that seems to hold the monastery in its bosom.
On the west, you see the forested city of Pieria, with the beautiful villages, which take a supernal look under the last breath of the sunset, next to the imposing and much discussed Mount Olympus, which emerges from the south of the Monastery, with its rare natural beauties.
Uphill from the village, very close to the monastery is situated “Panagia Kontariotissa”, a majestic Byzantine monastery temple of the 11th century AD, which is celebrated on August 15th.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Ephrem the Syrian is not completely designed and built but there are already two building complexes joining and forming a corner. They are adorned by three Byzantine, full of devoutness chapels, devoted to the Birth of the Super Holy Theotokos (Virgin Mary), the Saint Irene Chrysovalantou and the Holy Apostles. The sacristy, the Secretariat, the Abbey, the Dining Room, the Cook House, the Bakery (with the traditional oven) and other auxiliary spaces, and of course the Cells of the Brothers and the Workshops of the Holy Monastery, complement the beautiful, newly built construction.
In the monastery of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, a large monastic brotherhood lives in a communion, under the guidance of the nun Catherine, First Abbess and Founder of the Holy Monastery.
In the middle of the eastern courtyard is founded, since 1987, the Catholic of the monastery, Mount Athos’ style. This holy temple, the heart of the Monastery, began with the blessing of Saint Elder Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvitos, who, from the beginning, named this temple to honor of the Most Holy Theotokos (Virgin Mary) of Zoodochos Pigi.
In the monastery there is a copy of the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary “Dakryroousa” (Tearing) from Mount Athos.
In the Catholic of the monastery there are the Holy Relics of Saint Ephrem the Syrian the Miraculous since 2006.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Ephrem the Syrian majestically celebrates its Patron Saint on 28 January, and particularly on this day, crowds of pilgrims flock and worship with faith his graceful icon and his fragrant Holy Relics. The great Syrian ascetic of the 4th century is also known as the Saint of tears.
Winter time: The gate opens at 9:00 and closes at 18:30 (closed the hours 13:00 to 15:00)
Summer time: The gate opens at 8:30 and closes at 20:00 (closed the hours 14:00 to 17:00).
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