Agios Konstantinos and Agia Eleni Monastery

Above the hilly region of Fragkovounio, at a 5km distance from the centre of the town, close to the cape of St. Eleni, stand the Monastery of St. Constantine and Eleni. Given that it is built on the highest hill and has extremely high walls, from afar it resembles a fortress.
The Monastery, which was built to accommodate nuns and began operating in 1901, was constructed at the end of the 19th century by Pahomio Arela, from the Agioi Pateres Cloister. At this same position stood the deserted church of St Constantine.

The Church of the Monastery, dedicated to the Saints Constantine and Eleni stands in the centre of the pebbled courtyard. It is built in a cross-vaulted byzantine style and adorned with interesting frescoes that stand out because of the colourful, harmonious composition. The Monastery comprises of seventy double-story cells, showing the large number of nuns that used to live there, the Holy Table, hagiography and plastic workshop, the “Gallery” the display room for paintings and iconographies as well as guestrooms.

The Monastery is well known for its workshops within Greece and abroad. The nuns continue devoting their time to hagiography and textiles, but there is also a workshop for artistic tapestry and the sewing of vestments. Their works have always adorned the island’s wealthiest homes, whilst the girls’ dowry used to be ordered from the Monastery (icons, tapestry, etc). The workshops continue to operate with the few nuns that remain at the Monastery.

The Monastery follows the ‘old style’ calendar (Julian calendar) and entrance to men is strictly forbidden. From the moment you reach the hill of St. Constantine, it feels like you have left a noisy world behind you. You enjoy the serenity of the area, the calmness and the high aesthetics where white, imperial purple as well as azure of the sea and sky dominate.

Source: www.chios.gr