Monastery Dochiariou

Founded: Beginning of 11th centuryFounder: Efthymios
Feast-day: 8th of November
Library: 450 manuscripts
Collection: Frescoes of the Cretan School of 1568
 

The Monastery Dochiariou is the first monastery that we meet along the south-western coast of the peninsula, impressing one with its wealth, dynamism and the composition of the architectural variety that is presented. Observing from the sea, the depth and the density of this composition, it appears vivid,due to the graduated provision that was imposed by the abrupt declivity of the ground.

According to traditions, it was founded by Osio (young saint) Efthimio, who lived in the Megistis Lavra Abbey during the ruling of Saint Athanassios the Athonian,with the title dociaris , that is to say the person in charge of food strorage .

But through a testimonial document (1037),it was first established next to the bay of Dafne and dedicated to Saint Nikolaos.It also carried both names. Information in the same document,claimed that the Abbey possessed property and other clues given, encourage the fact that its initial constitution began in the last quarter of the 10th century. According to an other opinion, founder and first abbot, is considered to have been "Ioannis the dociaris monk ", who signed documents of the Megistis Lavras Monastery in the beginning of the 11th century. In any case,because of the pirate raids, the monks abandoned the bay of Dafne and resorted to a place higher than the current. From then on the Abbey was refered to only with the name "Dociariou".

Key role for the new monastic building on its the present location was played by the former abbot Neofitos, as it seems in written documents before and after the year 1100. As he mentioned in his will, "buildings I built also vineyards I planted and boats I constructed ... and the temple of the first General ... Micheal... erected, something beautiful..."

In 1089, Alexios 1st Komninos together with his mother "Anna Dalassini' protected the possessions and revenues of the Monastery.

The period of acne succeeded the period of misfortunes and trials. Because of its coastal position , it was exhibited to piratical raids, that were intensified particularly during the season of the Frago Occupation.Efforts for rectification came in the 14th century, with the support of souvereigns.Stefanos Dusan (1349) and the emperor Ioannis 5th Paleologos (1355)were amongst them,and they too were overwhelmed by the continuance of new unfavourable circumstances. According to researchers the dangers but also the wounds from piratical raids continued on to the 15th century and up to the 16th century".

The repairing of buildings are reported began in the beginning of the 16th century, but only after the middle of that century did serious work begin.Leader was considered to have been the priest from Andrianoupolis Giorgos who was dedicated to serving the Abbey, after his cure by the holy water of the Archangels.Giorgos also convinced the souvereign of Moldovlahias Ioannis Alexandro Loupousneanou to contribute to the work of reconstruction. The old arhontariki (chapel) and the wallpaintings refering to the purification of water by the Archangels date back to the after Turkish Domination Period.