Holy Monastery of Agia Lavra

Holy Monastery of Agia Lavra

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Located 4.5 kilometers from the town of Kalavrιta, nestled among the trees, is the historic Monastery of Agia Lavra.

To the right of the main entrance of the monastery’s courtyard is the chapel where the revolution was proclaimed and blessed by the Metropolitan of Old Patras, Germanos, during the Feast of the Annunciation in 1821.

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The banner that was raised is today preserved, riddled with bullet holes, in the third monastery built after the revolution. The second monastery had been burned by Ibrahim, with only the main church (katholikon) surviving. The third monastery was later destroyed by earthquakes, fires, and by the Germans in 1943, but it was rebuilt.

Also preserved are the precious gem-encrusted Gospel, a gift from Catherine the Great, the vestments, and the pastoral staff of Metropolitan Germanos of Old Patras. The collection is complemented by a large number of crosses made of precious stones and other significant religious objects. Among the extensive collection of icons, the one dated 1600 of Saint Panteleimon stands out.

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Every year on March 25, commemorative events are held, the most important being the reenactment of the assembly of the revolutionary leaders and the raising of the revolution’s banner.