The Varlaam monastery

Mom and dad climbed the many, many , many steps to the Varlaam monastery. At the entrance we had to cover up our pants by wearing wrap arounds that the monastery provides.

The Varlaam monastery was founded in the mid 14th century by the hermit Varlaam. He climbed the rock and built a few cells and a small chapel which he dedicated to the Three Hierarchs. He lived there in seclusion, dressed in tattered rags and lost in prayer till the end of his days.

The buildings remained deserted for years after his death but then two brothers, the monks Nektarios and Theophanis, ascended the rock and single handedly began to rebuild the church that Varlaam erected. As time passed the monks increased to 30 in total, and a second church was built.

The earliest ascetics ascended the rocks by means of successive tiers of scaffolding supported on timbers wedged into crevices. Later they replaced the scaffolding with immensely long hanging ladders. Those not bold enough to ascend by way of ladder were hauled up in a net, a process that lasted half an hour. In 1922 steps were cut out of the rock face so nowadays visitors can climb with ease. The net is still being used for the carriage of food and other necessities.

The monastery now houses a museum and a shop that sells all the beautiful icons the monks paint.

A monk's occupation is not directed towards profit. The income from his labour is donated to philanthropic institutions, maintains schools or fosters social causes.

A monk is a jack of all trades, and his skills include wood carving, painting of icons, shoe making, carpentry, gardening, tailoring, milling and wine making.