Holy Monastery of Pantokrator-Tao (Ntaou) Penteli
A Brief Review of the Holy Monastery Pantokrator Tao
The holy and venerable Monastery Pantokrator Tao was founded in the 9
th century as a monastery for men. During its long history, it has experienced both looting and destruction, but periods of efflorescence as well. During the early Byzantine era, in particular, it emerged as the second monastery in the Balkans, having a brotherhood in excess of 600 monks.
The most dramatic era in the history of the Monastery, however, was that between 1570 and 1680. In those difficult years, the Holy Monastery of Pantokrator was a spiritual cradle and source of national inspiration and social awakening not only for the much-suffering Greeks of Attica, but for the wider Greek world then suffering under the Turkish yoke.
The Martyrdom of the Holy Fathers
During Holy Week in 1680, Hagarene pirates looted and ravaged the coastal areas around Rafina. Out of malice, a servant of the Monastery had conspired with the pirates to lead them to the Monastery through a secret passageway he knew of.
The Finding of the Holy Relics
For centuries the grave of the 179 Holy Fathers remained unknown until September of 1965 when, while carrying out renovating construction works on the floor of the interior of the main church, graves with whole relics of monks were located.