The Archdiocese of Ohrid and Mount Athos: the Ohrid Archbishop Prochoros (?­1550) and his Contacts with the Docheiariou Monastery (the first half of 16th century)

Authors:

Pages: 81-88

Abstract:

From the mid-fifteenth century the Docheiariou Monastery fell into decline, as a result of the critical state following the Turkish occupation of the Holy Mountain (1423/4). It remained in this state until the first half of the 16th century, when it received substantial support from the Archbishop of Ochrid Prochoros (?-1550). Thanks to his private donations the monastery was able to enrich its Library with liturgical books and holy vessels, vestments and icons (1546, 1547). It also acquired a new Refectory (1547), which also served to strengthening its defensive fortifications. Prochoros’ motives for his support to the monastery should be placed in the context of his conflict with the Ecumenical Patriarch Ieremias I (15221546). Prochoros attempted to re-gain his lost prestige, following the transfer of the provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, from which Prochoros had previously removed them. In response to Ieremias’ successful reconstruction of the dissolved Monastery of Stavroniketa earlier on, thus raising himself to the status of a founder, Prochoros reciprocates on the same token by “refounding” the decaying Docheiariou Monastery.

Keywords:

Docheiariou Monastery, Archiodese of Ochrid, Mount Athos, Prochoros

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