Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, who died in 1994, is buried in the monastery cemetery.
The monastery was established in 1967 with the blessing of Saint Paisios.
The architectural design follows traditional Byzantine and Athonite monastic models.
The monastery is dedicated to Saint John the Theologian and Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian.
The site remains an active cloistered community, meaning the nuns maintain a strict rhythm of prayer and manual labor.
Thousands of pilgrims visit annually to commemorate the saint's feast day.
The Holy Monastery of Saint John the Theologian is an Orthodox women's monastery located in Souroti, Northern Greece. It gained significant international prominence as the final resting place of Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, a highly revered contemporary elder of the Orthodox Church. The monastery complex features a distinct Athonite architectural style, characterized by stone-built structures and a central katholikon. Pilgrims visit the site to venerate the tomb of Saint Paisios, which is situated within the monastery grounds. The grounds are meticulously maintained by the resident nuns, who engage in icon painting and the production of ecclesiastical goods. The monastery serves as a major center for Orthodox spiritual life and pilgrimage in the region of Thessaloniki. Its location on a hillside offers views of the surrounding countryside and the distant Thermaic Gulf.
The exterior courtyard offering a panoramic view of the monastery architecture against the backdrop of the rolling hills.
Check the official website for specific gate opening protocols, as they vary significantly based on the liturgical calendar.
Be prepared for potential queues at the tomb of Saint Paisios during feast days or weekends.
Maintain absolute silence when entering the monastery courtyard and church areas.
Do not attempt to photograph the nuns or film inside the monastic buildings, as this is strictly prohibited to respect their privacy and monastic vows.
The monastery gates close for several hours during the afternoon for the sisters' daily rest period; it is also frequently closed to the public on specific Orthodox feast days or during private retreat periods.
Visitors must dress modestly; shoulders and knees must be covered. Women are expected to wear skirts and men long trousers. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the church and near the tomb.
