Ascetic Cell of St. Gregory, Meteora

On our way to our next stop we took a slight detour and short walk to get a great view of the ascetic cell of Saint Gregory.

The first ascrics began to come to Metcora as early as the 11th century and at first they created small places of prayer and ascetic cells inside the caves that served as their hermitages. As a result of the awe-inspiring self-denial of these long-suffering ascetics who established the solitary, ascetic way of life on these rocks, Meteora was henceforth regarded as a holy place.

The first monastic community to be formed in the twelfth century was the Skete of Doupiani with the kyriakon (central church) of Panagia, the Mother of God. The pious cave-dwelling ascetics would gather on Sundays and on important feasts in the kyriakon of Panagia Doupiani on the southwest part of the rock forest above Kastraki.

During the 14th and 15th centuries the ascetics attempted to ascend to higher rock pillars, with the help of stakes and ropes. Over the centuries a total of forty-one monasteries and hermitages were established.

It is fascinating seeing the caves that remain, with the ascetic cell of Saint Gregory still displaying the way wood and rope was used to create ladders and platforms.

We also got to see the Presentation of Christ in the Temple Monastery which is just a facade built into the side of a mountain with the original cave behind.Read more