Holy Martyrs Killed by the Latins at the Iveron Monastery on Mt. Athos

Memory 13 (26) May

 

In the mid-10th century, Georgian monks established their presence on Mt. Athos, leading to the founding of the Iveron Monastery shortly thereafter. During this era, Mt. Athos faced continuous invasions by foreign forces. The 13th century saw the Crusaders ravage the area, with the pope’s forces wreaking havoc multiple times between 1259 and 1306. Monks from Zographou, Vatopedi, and the Protaton were martyred for defending the Orthodox Faith, a fate that the monks of Iveron Monastery ultimately shared.

Throughout this turbulent period, Georgian and Greek hermits worked side by side at Iveron Monastery, attracting a new wave of young ascetics from Georgia. The Crusaders pressured the monks to embrace Catholicism and recognize the pope’s supremacy. However, the monks staunchly rejected these demands and denounced the Catholic teachings.

The Athos Patericon recounts the harsh expulsion of the Iveron monks from their monastery. Around two hundred of the elder monks were cruelly forced onto a ship that was then intentionally sunk, leading to their tragic deaths at sea. The younger, more able monks were taken to Italy and sold into slavery.

While some accounts pinpoint the catastrophe to the year 1259, other sources indicate that the Georgian monks on the Holy Mountain suffered under Latin persecution from 1276 to 1280.

We honor the memory of the holy martyrs who suffered at the hands of the Latins at Iveron Monastery on Mt. Athos. We celebrate their steadfast defense of the Orthodox Faith and pray for their intercession to protect us and fortify our commitment to our faith.