An interesting exhibit of photography, from a technical point of view and as a documentary perspective, about Mount Athos from the well-known Byzantinologist, member of the Academy of Athens, Panagiotis Vokotopoulos, husband of the ever remembered archeologist Ioulia Vokotopoulou, was opened on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 in the confines of the Mount Athos Center at the Nedelkos Mansion.
On February 26, 1909 the foundation for the home of Ioannis Nedelkos was laid, based on plans of the Architect Xenophon Paionidis. In subsequent years the home would come to be known as the “Nedelkos Clinic”. The building, besides being a home, housed the physician’s office of Nedelkos’ son, Constantine Nedelkos, as well as a clinic which operated behind the home.
The great spiritual rays of Mount Athos, it’s impressive natural environment, the groups of monasteries with Byzantine and post-Byzantine architecture, the works of art, such as the frescoes, mosaics, the icons, treasures, the Byzantine typikon and the everyday life of the monks are imprinted in an impressive way in a work of art by Greek and foreign travelers and pilgrims, painters, photographers, and architects who have visited Mount Athos during the last five hundred years.
The judicial center of Karees existed as a place of gathering and protection for the valuable objects of which the written works in particular have a great historical value upon which the most important governing rules of the Athonite Community are laid, as well as questions regarding the arrangement and appropriate borders for the respective monasteries and their bestowed land on the peninsula and basic questions in relation to the political and ecclesiastical leaders, etc. The most important written work is the first typikon of the Holy Mountain by Emperor Ioannis Tsimiskis (972), which Saint Athanasios also signed as abbot of the Great Lavra, which he founded. It is preserved in the original form on parchment and is named “Tragos”.
The exhibit took place within the framework of the Dimitria, on the occasion of 1,700 years since the martyrdom of the patron saint of the city, and was placed among the events of the city, municipality and the Holy Metropolis dedicated to the memory and expression of honor and gratitude to the saint, protector and liberator of our city.
