New Athos Monastery (Russian: Новоафонский монастырь, Novoafonskiy monastir’; Georgian: ახალი ათონის მონასტერი, romanized: akhali atonis monast'eri, Abkhaz: Афон Ҿыцтәи аберҭыԥ) is a monastery in New Athos, municipality of Gudauta, in a breakaway republic of Abkhazia (mostly internationally recognized as a part of Georgia).
History
New Athos Monastery was founded in 1875 by monks who came from the St. Panteleimon Monastery in Mount Athos. They founded the church of St. Panteleimon on Mount Iveria, on the territory of present New Athos. Construction works of the monastery were carried out in 1883-1896 as well.
In the centre of the west building bell-tower 50 metres (160 ft) high is erected. In the lower part of the bell-tower, a monastic refectory is located. In the middle of the monastic complex stands the five-domed church of St. Panteleimon, in the architecture of which traits of the so-called Neo-Byzantine style are discernible. Interior of the church is totally embellished with the mural decoration.
The monastery is currently used by the schismatic Abkhazian Orthodox Church, while it is also claimed by the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Current condition
New Athos Monastery has been given the status of culture heritage monument in Georgia.
Gallery
Sources
- Cultural Heritage in Abkhazia, Tbilisi, 2015
References
- ^ The political status of Abkhazia is disputed. Having unilaterally declared independence from Georgia in 1992, Abkhazia is formally recognised as an independent state by 5 UN member states (two other states previously recognised it but then withdrew their recognition), while the remainder of the international community recognizes it as as de jure Georgian territory. Georgia continues to claim the area as its own territory, designating it as Russian-occupied territory.
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