Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas
On a spur of Mount Askio, just above Korisos, the Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas stands amid lush greenery that blends natural beauty with deep historical memory. Built at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters among pine and oak forests, it enchants visitors with panoramic views of the lush surroundings, as well as with its captivating history.
It is believed to have been founded in the 17th century and flourished in the 19th century, becoming an important religious and cultural landmark. Under Abbot Grigorios Diamantidis, it served as a space of prayer and a beacon of charity, as it also operated as an orphanage and school. During the Macedonian Struggle, it sheltered many fighters, including Pavlos Melas.
On February 26, 1905, due to its involvement, Bulgarian komitadjis looted and burned the monastery, marking the beginning of a long decline during which it functioned as a dependency of the Monastery of Saints Anargyroi.
Its revival period began in 1963 under Archimandrite Sevastianos Stefanopoulos, who restored the buildings and reorganized monastic life. A new wing, the chapel of Saint Anthony, and a new three-aisled basilica-style katholikon were then constructed.
It is worth knowing that the monastery houses valuable relics, including a fragment of Saint Nicholas’s holy relic and a revered miraculous icon. The old guesthouse is also preserved, bearing witness to the monastery’s long-standing tradition of hospitality.
