Osios Loukas Monastery

One of the major monasteries in Greece (also a UNESCO world heritage site) is the Osios Loukas monastery near Delphi in Boeotia. It was founded in the 10th century by the monk Lukas of Steiris, also called Thaumaturgos (Doer of Wonders), as he lived an ascetic life from an early age on, was seen to be levitating during prayer and healed many people after he had to flee from Hungarians, Bulgars and Saracens.

This monument shows Patriarch Isaias who played an important rule in defending the monastery against the Turks. Two cannons give it a martial look ... today, it's a meme that Orthodox priests bless everything, including weapons. Did you see these videos?

The typical round and flat middle tower of the church lies in the centre of the Greek cross that the foundations of the church form. Round windows with inner decorations are typical of the Greek architectural type. The blue sky in the background completes it all!

Above a door, there is an artful mosaic in gold (hand-made ... imagine the skills!) that shows the saint in typical Byzantine manner. "O Agios Loukas" is written in Greek, "Saint Loukas".

Floral motives on top and a miracle scene with many followers complete this post ... the beautiful architecture was nice to see, luckily it was kept intact during the centuries as no raiding invaders reached this monastery. It was great to walk around as you felt transported into another world.

Part 2 will follow, hang on ...

Photo gallery