The Sumela Monastery, Panagia

       








Sumela is an Orthodox monastery, founded in the early V century BC in the mountains of Trabzon. According to legend, the monastery was founded by the monk Barnabas in the period between 375 and 395.

In the era of the Byzantine Empire, generations of powerful rulers-emperors favored Sumela, because in this period the monastery was situated at the highest point of its power, wealth and influence. In later times the special status of the monastery was also acknowledged by the rulers of the Ottoman Empire.









The peak of its greatness was realized by the Panagia was made in the 18th and 19th centuries. For many centuries the monastery was a sacred place not only for Greeks, but for Christians from around the world. But until 2007, the Turkish authorities treated the Christian pilgrims very negatively. But after a series of talks at the highest level, the authorities have allowed to hold in Sumele of worship and ceased to interfere with the Orthodox pilgrims and tourists visit these places.

One of the most important relics of the monastery was the miraculous icon of virgin Mary called Panagia Sumela. According to legend, wrote it himself the Apostle Luke. When in 1923 after a conflict between countries, the Greeks had to leave these places, the icon was rescued and taken to Greece. She is now in a sanctuary near the city of Naoussa, Macedonia.













 

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