Livemedia visited the Holy Seat St. Eustatius Mylopotamos and spoke with Father Epiphanius for the life of the Saint.
This impressive location, precipitous and wild to the sea but quiet and peaceful to the land, chose Saint Athanasius of Mount Athos to build one of the first parts of the monastery of Great Lavra.
The Saint Athanasius, except for large building projects, as ktitor, has accomplished in the same monastery, made provisions for the recovery of parts of which were located on Mount Athos. So the area of Milopotamos, spanning small country on the northeast side of Mount Athos and within walking distance of the Iviron, cleared the dense forest that the occupied and purified by scattered through rocks. Then cells were built and temple honored the name of Martyr Eustatius and planted vineyards.
We are not able even to know the size of the buildings nor the extent of the fortifications built by the saint. The fortified complex that survives today is the result of successive repairs and additions. However, the proximity of the sea and the fear of pirate raids, not rare in the 10th century, would require that adequate fortification. Systematic archaeological research will tell if the impressive tower of Mylopotamos, at least in its original form, as it is very likely belongs to the time of St. Athanasius.
This impressive location, precipitous and wild to the sea but quiet and peaceful to the land, chose Saint Athanasius of Mount Athos to build one of the first parts of the monastery of Great Lavra.
The Saint Athanasius, except for large building projects, as ktitor, has accomplished in the same monastery, made provisions for the recovery of parts of which were located on Mount Athos. So the area of Milopotamos, spanning small country on the northeast side of Mount Athos and within walking distance of the Iviron, cleared the dense forest that the occupied and purified by scattered through rocks. Then cells were built and temple honored the name of Martyr Eustatius and planted vineyards.
We are not able even to know the size of the buildings nor the extent of the fortifications built by the saint. The fortified complex that survives today is the result of successive repairs and additions. However, the proximity of the sea and the fear of pirate raids, not rare in the 10th century, would require that adequate fortification. Systematic archaeological research will tell if the impressive tower of Mylopotamos, at least in its original form, as it is very likely belongs to the time of St. Athanasius.