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Hilandar

Coordinates:40°20′46″N24°07′08″E/ 40.346111°N 24.118889°E/40.346111; 24.118889
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"Chilandar" redirects here. For the village in Iran, seeChilandar, Iran.
Not to be confused withHilander Foods.
Hilandar
Хиландар
Χιλανδαρίου
Exterior view
Hilandar is located in Mount Athos
Hilandar
Location within Mount Athos
Monastery information
Full nameHoly Imperial Monastery of Hilandar
OrderMonastic community of Mount Athos
DenominationEastern Orthodox Church
Established1198
Dedicated toThree-handed Theotokos(Virgin Mary)
The Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple
People
Founder(s)Saint SavaandSaint Symeon
ArchbishopEcumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
Site
LocationMount Athos,Greece
Coordinates40°20′46″N24°07′08″E/ 40.346111°N 24.118889°E/40.346111; 24.118889
Public accessMen only

TheHilandar Monastery(Serbian Cyrillic:Манастир Хиландар,romanized:Manastir Hilandar,pronounced[xilǎndaːr],Greek:Μονή Χιλανδαρίου) is one of the twentyEastern Orthodoxmonasteries inMount AthosinGreeceand the onlySerbianmonastery there. It was founded in 1198 byStefan Nemanja(Saint Symeon) and his sonSaint Sava.St. Symeon was the former Grand Prince ofSerbia(1166–1196) who upon relinquishing his throne took monastic vows and became an ordinarymonk.He joined his sonSaint Savawho was already in Mount Athos and who later became the firstArchbishop of Serbia.Upon its foundation, the monastery became a focal point of theSerbianreligious and cultural life,[1][2]as well as assumed the role of "the first Serbian university".[3]It is ranked fourth in theAthonitehierarchy of 20 sovereign monasteries.[4]TheMother of God through her Icon of the Three Hands(Trojeručica) is considered the monastery's abbess.[5]

The monastery contains about 45 working monks.[when?]

Etymology

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The etymological meaning of "Hilandar" is probably derived from the Greek wordchelandion,which is a type ofByzantinetransport ship, whose skipper was called "helandaris".[6]

Founding

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The monastery was founded in 1198; prompted by theMount Athosmonastic community,ByzantineEmperorAlexios III Angelos(1195–1203) issued a golden sealedchrysobullsdonating the ancient monasteryHelandaris,"to theSerbsas an eternal gift..., "thereby designating it," to serve the purpose of accepting the people ofSerbiandescent, who seek to pursue themonasticway of life, as monasteries belonging toIberiaandAmalfiendure on theMount,exempt from any authority, including the authority ofProtos."[7]Hilandar was thereby handed over toSaint SavaandSaint Symeonwith the mission of establishing and endowing a new monastery, elevated to the imperial rank.[6]Since then, the monastery became a cornerstone of the religious, educational and cultural life ofSerbian people.[8]

Stefan Nemanja,Grand Prince of Serbia

Upon securing Serbian authority within the monastery,Saint SavaandSaint Symeonjointly constructed the monastery's Church of theEntry of the Lady Theotokos into the Templebetween 1198-1200, while also addingSaint Sava's Tower, the Kambanski Tower, andSaint Symeon's monastic chambers - cells.Saint Symeon's middle son andSaint Sava's older brother, SerbianGrand PrinceStefan "the First-Crowned" Kingprovided financial resources for this restoration. As Hilandar's founder,Saint Symeonissued a special founding charter orchrysobulls,which survived untilWorld War II,when it was destroyed as a result of theOperation Retributionand the notorious April 6, 1941 German bombing ofBelgradethat leveled to the ground theNational Library of Serbiabuilding inKosancicev Venac.Following 1199, hundreds of monks fromSerbiamoved to the monastery, while large pieces of land,metochionsand tax proceeds from numerous villages were provided to the monastery, especially from theMetohijaregion ofSerbia.[9]

Saint Symeondied in the monastery on February 13, 1200 where he was buried next to the main church of theEntry of the Lady Theotokos into the Temple.His body remained in Hilandar until 1208 when hismyrrh-flowing remains were transferred to Serbia and interred into the mother-church of all Serbian churches theStudenica Monasteryaccording to his original desire, which he previously completed in 1196.[10]Following the relocation ofSaint Symeon's remains, what would eventually become world-famousgrapevinesbegan growing on the spot of his old tomb, which gives to this day miraculous grapes and seeds that are shipped all over as a form of blessing to childless married couples.[11]Following his father's death,Saint Savamoved to hisKaryeshermitage cell, where he finished the writing of theKaryes Typikon,a book of directives, which shaped the eremiticalmonasticismall across the Serbian lands.[12]He also wrote theHilandar Typikonregulating spiritual life in monasteries, organization of services and duties of monastic communities. The Hilandar Typikon was modeled in part after thetypikonof theMonastery of Theotokos EvergetisinConstantinople.[13]

The Nemanjić period and late Byzantine Empire

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Saint Sava,firstArchbishopof theSerbian Orthodox Church

After theFourth CrusadeandCrusaders' sack ofConstantinoplein 1204, the wholeAthoscame under theLatin Occupationwhich exposed the Athonite monasteries to an unprecedented pillage.[14]As a result,Saint Savatravelled toSerbiato secure more resources and support for the monastery. He also undertook a voyage to theHoly Landwhere he visitedThe Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas the SanctifiedinPalestine.There he received Hilandar's most revered relic, the miraculous icon of theThree-handed Theotokos(Trojeručica) painted bySt. John of Damascus.According toSt. John of Damascus' last will, he ordered theMar Saba monasterybrethren to add this miraculous icon to the old prophesy made by the monastery's founder SaintSabbas the Sanctified.SaintSabbas the Sanctifiedadjured his monks centuries earlier to donate the icon of the Milk-feeding Theotokos and hishegumencane to the "namesake monk of royal blood from a faraway land" who would experience, during his pilgrimage to the monastery, the fall of his hegumen cane to the floor, previously affixed above his grave, while venerating icons and praying on that spot.[15]

SerbiankingsStefan RadoslavandStefan Vladislav,who wereSaint Sava's nephews, significantly endowed the monastery with new land possessions and proceeds. In order to effectively deal with consequences of theCrusaderLatin plunder, KingUroš the Greatconstructed a large fortification surrounding the monastery with the protective tower named after theTransfiguration of Christ.King Dragutinalso expanded proceeds to the monastery and land ormetochionincome. He participated in improving and reinforcing defensive fortifications. Following the end of theLatin Occupationof this part of Byzantium, a new wave of raids hit themonastic republic.In the early 14th century, piratemercenariesof theCatalan Grand Companyrepeatedly raided theHoly Mountain,while looting and sacking numerous monasteries, stealing treasures and Christian relics, and terrorizing monks. Of the 300 monasteries and monastic communities onAthos,Hilandar was among only 35 that survived the violence of the first decade of the 14th century. The monastery owes this fortune to its very experienced and skillful deputyhegumenat the time Danilo, who later became the Serbian ArchbishopDanilo II.[16]

Stefan Milutin,King of Serbiaand the Church of Entrance of the Theotokos
Serbian icon ofChrist Pantocrator(Serbian:Христос Пантократор)

Consequently, SerbianKing Milutinplayed a major role in building the Hilandar monastery complex by reconstructing and expanding it.[17]In 1320 he completely reconstructed the main church of theEntry of the Lady Theotokos into the Templewhich finally took its present shape as it became a symbol of Hilandar. The monastery complex was expended further north to encompass new monastic cells and fortifications. During his reign, several towers were completed, notably the Milutin Tower, located between monastery's docks and its eastern wall, and the Hrussiya or Basil's Tower situated on the shore.[18][19]Milutin also added a new main entrance gate which a chapel dedicated toSaint Nicholasbuilt in, in addition to the newly erected monastery dining chamber. An unmatched iconographic work took place during Milutin's era starting from the main church, through the dining chamber, to the cemetery church. At that time the number of Serbian monks skyrocketed and monasticism flourished even further as Byzantine EmperorAndronikos II Palaiologosdonated large pieces of land to the monastery's estate in Greece.

At the time ofSerbian KingandEmperor Dusan,the whole Mount Athos came under his sovereign power.[20]This is the period of Hilandar's greatest prosperity.[18]The Emperor significantly supported the monastery and bequeathed a number of land possessions in Serbia and Greece to it. Ever since his reign (14th century) and until today, Hilandar owns one fifth of the entire landmass onAthos.[21]In addition to the Emperor himself, Dusan's aristocracy also supported the monastery. In 1347 Emperor Dusan sought refuge in Hilandar while escaping the plague pandemics that devastated Europe. He also took his wifeEmpress Jelenawith him, thus creating a precedent and violating the strict tradition of "avaton" that bars women from stepping into Mount Athos. Oral tradition holds that during her stay in Hilandar, the Empress was not allowed to plant her foot on the Athos ground as she was carried around by her escort. In memory of Emperor Dusan's visit, the Hilandar monks erected big cross and planted the "imperialolive tree"on the spot where they welcomed him. Serbian Emperor also built the Church of St.Archangelsand expanded the monastery's hospital around 1350, while Empress Jelena endowed theKaryesmonastic cell dedicated toSt. Savawhich belongs to Hilandar. Both Hilandar and Mount Athos already enjoyed tremendous reverence in Serbia as the monastery's deputyhegumenSava became Serbian PatriarchSava IV.Following Emperor Dusan's death in 1355, the monastery prospered even further. In addition to Dusan's son Serbian EmperorUros V,powerful noblemen also supported Hilandar, such as PrinceLazar Hrebeljanovicwho constructed thenarthexalong the west side of the mainEntry of the Lady Theotokos into the TempleChurch in 1380. By the end of the 14th century, Hilandar served as a refuge to numerous members of Serbian nobility.

Ottoman and modern period

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Hilandar Monastery duringKing Aleksandar Obrenović's visit in 1896.

The Byzantine Empirewas conquered in the 15th century by theOttoman Turksand their newly establishedOttoman Empire.The Athonite monks tried to maintain functioning relations with theOttoman sultansand followingMurad II's occupation of Thessaloniki in 1430 they pledged their obedience to him.[22]Murad II left Mount Athos its self-rule and allocated for some remaining privileges. Hilandar retained its property rights and autonomy in the hinterland.[23]This was additionally confirmed and secured in 1457 by SultanMehmed IIfollowing the1453 Fall of Constantinople.Thus, the Athonite independence was somewhat ensured.

In the second half of the 15th century, Hilandar moved to third place in the hierarchy of Athionite monasteries. It also became a refuge for Serbian monks seeking to evade the conflicts of the time. Following the fall of theSerbian Despotateto the Ottoman Turks in 1459, Hilandar lost major guardians and benefactors as its brotherhood looked for support from other sources.[24]For a period of time, theWallachiansprovided patronage to the monastery, initiated byMara Branković,[25]daughter of the Serbian despotĐurađ Branković.In 1503, the wife of SerbianDespot Stefan Brankovic,Angelina Brankovicasked for the first time Grand Prince of MoscowVasili III Ivanovichto protect the monastery. Deputy hegumen Paisios with three other monks visited Moscow in 1550 and inquired about help and protection atHigh Portein Istanbul fromRussian TsarIvan IV,also known asIvan the Terrible.[26]He took Hilandar under his personal protection and built the new monastic cells. In March 1556, TsarIvan IV Vasilyevich,whose maternal grandmotherAna Jakšićwas by birth member the SerbianJakšić noble familyand paternal great-great-grandmotherHelena, Empress Consort of Byzantiumwas also Serbian, also granted the Hilandar Monastery a plot of land with all necessary buildings inMoscowwithin a short walking distance from theKremlin.[27]The 16th century saw the monastery acquire significant estate in the area, cementing their presence in the Mount Athos region.[28]

In the 17th century the number of Serbian monks dwindled, and the disastrous fire in 1722 saw a decline: in his account of 1745,Russianpilgrim Vasily Barsky wrote that Hilandar was headed by Bulgarian monks, even though the presence of Serbian monks was also noted.[29]Ilarion Makariopolski,Sophronius of VratsaandMatey Preobrazhenskihad all lived there, and it was in this monastery that SaintPaisius of Hilendarbegan his revolutionarySlavonic-Bulgarian History.The monastery was dominated by Bulgarians until the late 19th century.[30]

A view of the Hilandar Monastery in 2006, after the Great Fire, and during first stages of the reconstruction process.
A view

However, in 1913, Serbian presence on Athos was quite big and the Athoniteprotoswas the Serbian representative of Hilandar.[31]

Contemporary

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In the 1970s, the Greek government offered power grid installation to all of the monasteries on Mount Athos. The Holy Council of Mount Athos refused, and since then every monastery generates its own power, which is gained mostly from renewable energy sources. During the 1980s, electrification of the monastery of Hilandar took place, generating power mostly for lights and heating.

In 1990, Hilandar was converted from anidiorrhythmicmonastery into acenobiticone.[32]

On March 4, 2004, there was a devastating fire at the Hilandar monastery, which destroyed much of the walled complex and all the wooden elements.[33]The library and the monastery's many historic icons were saved or otherwise untouched by the fire. Vast reconstruction efforts to restore Hilandar are underway.

Sacred objects

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Iconof theTheotokos,"The Three-handed" (Trojeručica)

Among the numerousrelicsand other holy objects treasured at the monastery is theWonderworkingIconof theTheotokos"Of theAkathist",thefeast dayof which is celebrated on January 12. Since Mount Athos uses the traditionalJulian Calendar,the day they name as January 12 currently falls on January 25 of the modernGregorian Calendar.

A sculpture on a rock presenting Saint Symeon, the founder of Hilandar Monastery

The monastery also possesses the Wonderworking Icon of theTheotokos "Of the Three Hands"(Greek:Tricherusa,Serbian: Тројеручицa), traditionally associated with amiraculoushealing ofSt. John Damascene.[34]Around the year 717, St. John became a monk atMar Sabbasmonastery outside ofJerusalemand gave the icon to the monastic community there. Later the icon was offered toSt. Sava of Serbia,who gave it to the Hilandar. A copy of the icon was sent to Russia in 1661, from which time it has been highly venerated in theRussian Orthodox Church.This icon has two feast days: June 28 (July 11) and July 12 (July 25). Also EmperorStefan Dušan's sword is in themonastery treasure.

There are some 1200 Slavic manuscripts. Archives include 172 Greek and 154 Serbian documents from the medieval era, which provides a glimpse into the economic and social structure of the period.[21]The Serbian variant of Old Church Slavonic developed at the monastery thanks to itsscriptorium.

See also

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References

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  1. ^Fine 1994,p. 38.
  2. ^Ken Parry (10 May 2010).The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity.John Wiley & Sons. pp. 233ff.ISBN978-1-4443-3361-9.
  3. ^Om Datt Upadhya (1 January 1994).The Art of Ajanta and Sopoćani: A Comparative Study: an Enquiry in Prāṇa Aesthetics.Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 65ff.ISBN978-81-208-0990-1.
  4. ^"The administration of Mount Athos".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-03-11.Retrieved2016-04-06.
  5. ^Hilandar – The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity
  6. ^abTibor Zivkovic - Charters of the Serbian rulers related to Kosovo and Metochia. p. 15
  7. ^"За спас душе своје и прибежиште свом отачеству".Retrieved2016-04-05.
  8. ^John Anthony McGuckin (15 December 2010).The Encyclopedia of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, 2 Volume Set.John Wiley & Sons. pp. 560–.ISBN978-1-4443-9254-8.
  9. ^"Хиландарски поседи и метоси у југозападној Србији (Кособу и метохији)".hilandar.info.Retrieved2015-07-21.
  10. ^Vlasto,The Entry of the Slavs Into Christendom: An Introduction to the Medieval History of the Slavs,p. 219
  11. ^"The Monastery of Hilandar".Retrieved2016-04-04.
  12. ^Bogdanović 1997,Предговор, para. 13, Карејски типик
  13. ^Bogdanović 1997,Предговор, para. 14
  14. ^Subotić 1998,pp. 34–35.
  15. ^"Miraculous Icon - The Virgin with three hands (Bogorodica Trojeručica)".hilandar.info.RetrievedApril 21,2016.
  16. ^Vásáry, István (24 March 2005).Cumans and Tatars: Oriental Military in the Pre-Ottoman Balkans, 1185–1365.Cambridge University Press. pp. 109–110.ISBN1139444085.
  17. ^Subotić 1998,pp. 37–38.
  18. ^ab"Chilandar Monastery".orthodoxia.it.
  19. ^Subotić 1998,p. 38.
  20. ^Subotić 1998,p. 40.
  21. ^abKazhdan, Alexander P., ed. (1991).The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium.Oxford University Press. pp. 6–7.ISBN9780195046526.
  22. ^Subotić 1998,p. 91.
  23. ^Subotić 1998,p. 92.
  24. ^Subotić 1998,pp. 92–93.
  25. ^Subotić 1998,p. 95.
  26. ^Subotić 1998,p. 98.
  27. ^Robert Payne, Nikita Romanoff, "Ivan the Terrible", Rowman & Littlefield, 2002 pp. 436
  28. ^Subotić 1998,pp. 100–102.
  29. ^"Chilandari".Mount Athos. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-05-02.Retrieved2008-10-09.In the 17th century the number of monks coming from Serbia dwindled, and the 18th was a period of decline, following a disastrous fire in 1722. At that time the Monastery was effectively manned by Bulgarian monks who were in dispute with Serbian monks over Hilandar property sale to Bulgarian monks ofZograf monastery.
  30. ^"Хилендарски манастир"(in Bulgarian). Православието.Retrieved2008-10-09.
  31. ^Panagiotis Christou, "To Agion Oros", Patriarchal Institute of Patristic Studies, Epopteia ed., Athens, 1987 pp. 313-314
  32. ^Dorobantu, Marius (2017-08-28).Hesychasm, the Jesus Prayer and the contemporary spiritual revival of Mount Athos(Master's thesis). Nijmegen: Radboud University.Retrieved2022-08-28.
  33. ^Folić, Nađa Kurtović (2014).Consequences of a Wrong Decision: Case Study of Chilandar Monastery Fire.Structural Faults & Repair - 15th International Conference.
  34. ^Maunder, Chris, ed. (2019).The Oxford Handbook of Mary.Oxford University Press. p. 127.ISBN9780192511140.

Sources

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Further reading

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