Saint Stephen Monastry, Meteora, Greece

Today’s tour included a visit to one of the six remaining monasteries, the Monastery of Agios Stefania, Saint Stephen. Athens a height of 528 metres this is the monastery of the first-Martyr and Archdeacon Stephan. The origins of the monastery date to the twelfth century and according to an inscription of 1191/2 AD, the ascetic Jeremi-as lived on this rock.

The first church of St Stephan was erected around 1350 and rebuilt in 1545 by St Philotheos. In 1798 a magnificent new church was erected in honour of St Charalambos and this is now the katholikon, the monastery's main church. It features a remarkable wood-carved altar screen dating from 1814, and equally intricate wood-carved icon stands dating from 1836. And the frescoes are just stunning. I don’t have the adequate words to describe how awe inspiring they are. Sadly we were not permitted to take photos in this stunningly decorated church, however we only found out after we had already taken a couple of snaps so have a few to show some of the amazing walls and ceilings. I could have sat in here for hours just admiring it all.

It was such a great first stop on what promised to be a great tour and Jon gave us so much history about this place. It is fascinating.Read more