Katounakia (Greek: Σκήτη Κατουνάκια) is an Eastern Orthodox skete of the community of Mount Athos that is subordinate to the Great Lavra. The skete is located between Little Saint Anne's Skete and Karoulia.[1] The skete consists of 22 cells in which about 35 monks live. The cell of Danieleon, which employs some of the best icon painters at Mount Athos, is located in the skete.[2][3]
Σκήτη Κατουνάκια | |
Location within Mount Athos | |
| Site | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mount Athos |
| Coordinates | 40°7′22″N 24°17′48″E / 40.12278°N 24.29667°E |
| Public access | Men only |
History
editThe name comes from the Greek word κατούνα, meaning 'military camp' or a narrow, sheltered place. The settlement dates back to the beginning of the 18th century.
In 1881, St. Daniel Katounakiotis of Smyrna built his hut in Katounakia, which was the foundation for the present-day hermitage of the brotherhood of the Danielaeans.[4] Saint Daniel practiced the art of hagiography and handed it over to the brotherhood, which continues to practice it to this day.
In 1903, it consisted of 19 Greek cells. Today, it consists of 22 hesychast cells, the oldest of which, the Annunciation and the Assumption, were established in 1852.[5]
Katounakia's largest cell, Danieleon, belongs to a brotherhood of Athonite icon painters and psalters. The cell was founded by and named after the monk Daniel Katounakiotis.[2]
The skete's chapel is dedicated to the Athonite fathers. Daniel Katounakiotis, the monks Ignatius the Blind (d. 1927), Callinicos the Hesychast (d. 1930; also known as Kallinakos the Vigilant), and Gerasimos Menaios (d. 1957) also lived in Katounakia during the 20th century.[5] Elder Ephraim of Katounakia (d. 1998), who spent his entire life in strict asceticism in a cell at Katounakia, was canonized as a saint two decades after his death.[note 1]
Relics and pilgrimage sites
editIn Katounakia, the cells, skulls, and other relics of hesychast ascetics such as Daniel of Katounakia and Ephraim of Katounakia can be visited by pilgrims.[7]
The Daniilaioi Monastic Brotherhood (Ιερά Μοναστική Κοινότης Δανιηλαίων; or Ιερά Ησυχαστήριον Δανιηλαίων[8]), originally founded by Daniel of Katounakia, has a building in Katounakia (40°07′32″N 24°17′48″E / 40.1255313°N 24.2967056°E).
Notable people
editNotes
edit- ^ On October 20, 2019, at the Protaton Church in Karyes on Mt. Athos, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced the glorification of four great 20th-century Athonite elders would soon proceed, including:
- Daniel of Katounakia (†1929)
- Ieronymos of Simonopetra (†1957)
- Joseph the Hesychast (†1959), and
- Ephraim of Katounakia (†1998).[6]
References
edit- ^ "Mount Athos: The Hesychasterion of Katounakia". www.macedonian-heritage.gr.
- ^ a b "MOUNT ATHOS INFO, ΑΓΙΟΝ ΟΡΟΣ, BERG ATHOS, OURANOUPOLIS, ΟΥΡΑΝΟΥΠΟΛΗ". December 4, 2013. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013.
- ^ "KATOUNAKIA - Mount Athos Infos Halkidiki Greece".
- ^ "Γέρων Δανιήλ Κατουνακιώτης (1846-1929): 80 χρόνια από την οσιακή κοίμησή του [με πλούσιο φωτογραφικό υλικό] (μέρος 2ο) | Διακόνημα". July 2, 2019. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Катунакия". www.isihazm.ru.
- ^ Elder Joseph the Hesychast, Three Other 20th-Century Athonite Elders Canonized. Orthodox Christianity. Mt. Athos, October 21, 2019.
- ^ "The region of Katunakia with the holy relics (skulls) of Saints Ephraim and Daniel of Katunakia and their cells". The Ascetic Experience. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2022-06-10.
- ^ "Node: Ι. Ησυχαστήριον Δανιηλαίων (5200524973)". OpenStreetMap. 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2022-08-28.