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The Monastery of Agios Vlasios (Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Βλασίου) is a Greek Orthodox monastery located in the Peloponnese region of Greece. It’s a short drive inland from Xylokastro near the village of Ano Trikala.
History of the Monastery of Agios Vlasios
The monastery was founded in the 14th century after a hermit found an icon of Agios Vlasios (St. Blaise) in a nearby cave. The hermit built a chapel about 500 meters from the cave. The current monastery dates back to the 17th century.
The Monastery of Agios Vlasios was dissolved in 1846, and a single monk lived there until his death in 1898. In 1918, another monk moved in and renovated it. Finally, in 1924, a nun took over and converted it into an all-female monastery. It was officially recognized again in 1928.
Visiting the Monastery of Agios Vlasios
I visited the monastery on a rainy afternoon with family friends from the village of Thalero. It’s open daily during sunlight hours except between 1PM and 4PM. Visitors are required to dress appropriately. It’s probably a good idea to have someone call and let the abbess know you’re coming.
Church
We knocked on the door and a little old nun came out to greet us. She led us to the church and opened it for us to see the beautiful 18th-century wooden iconostasis. There are also important 16th-century icons painted by the Skordilis brothers. The nun then brought out a reliquary for us to venerate.
Chapels
Outside the walls of the monastery is a beautiful garden and two chapels. The first is the Chapel of the Birth of the Virgin Mary. A well sits across the path. Further along is another small chapel directly across from the cave where the hermit found the icon.
Plane Tree
Finally, another path leads to a picnic area under a large plane tree. The tree is hundreds of years old and played a role in the Greek Revolution. In 1821, Greek priest Papaflessas (1788-1825) spoke about the rebellion against the Ottomans on the eve of the revolution. A simple plaque on the tree commemorates the event.
