Holy Monastery of Saint John Vazelon
At the Holy Monastery of Saint John Vazelon, you will catch a thread of history that can first be traced in the 3rd century AD. The original monastery was founded in 270 AD in Pontus, near Trebizond, and is considered the oldest Christian monastery. Over the centuries that followed, it experienced both destruction and periods of prosperity, playing a decisive role in the religious and cultural life of Pontic Hellenism.
After 1922, the original monastery was permanently destroyed, but the icon of Saint John the Forerunner was saved thanks to Archimandrite Dionysios Amarantidis, who transferred it to Serres, at first. In 1970, the icon traveled to Agios Dimitrios of Kozani, where the construction of a new monastery began. The complex was completed in 1973 and has since become a point of reference for Pontians, among other cultures.
If you visit on June 24, you will experience the monastery’s grand festival, featuring Vespers, the Divine Liturgy, and cultural events organized by local associations. From May to November, the monastery operates regularly for worship, while in winter it can be visited only during designated hours.
