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    The "Ascetic's" monastery - The Babel of the Peloponnese

    messinia.mobiNATURE|INFRASTRUCTURES
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    • The "Ascetic
    • The "Ascetic
    • The "Ascetic
    • The "Ascetic
    • The "Ascetic

    NEARBY TOWNS/VILLAGES

    • Gargalianoi ( Gargaliani ) ~2.3Km

    • Leuki ~2.4Km

    • Dialiskari ~3.5Km

    • Floka ~4.6Km

    • Tragana ~4.9Km

    • Marathopoli ~5.5Km

    • Pyrgaki ~6Km

    • Romanos ~6.2Km

    • Valta ~6.4Km

    • Koryfasio ~6.4Km

    • Chora ~7.1Km

    • Petrochori ~7.4Km

    In Gargaliani (64 km from Kalamata), in dense vegetation, the visitors can suddenly see in front of them a labyrinthine building complex, which unfortunately is now in ruins. It is the monastery of "Askitis", also known as "Askitario", a monastery that never operated. Its unusual multi-storey architectural structure, with its hundreds of small rooms, makes it look like an intricate maze.

    According to theologian Panagiotis Gliatas, the history of "Askitario" began in 1887. The then 27-year-old Athanasios Stragas, from the village of Soulos in Megalopolis, fell ill with tuberculosis. Having the unfulfilled desire of the ascetic life from an early age, he went to stay in a small cave at the place called "Karantina (Quarantine)" close to Gargaliani. When he overcame his illness, he continued to work as a labourer in the local estates. In time he raised money and bought a piece of land. At the same time, he dug deeper and deeper into the cave where he lived with the prospect of building a temple dedicated to the Holy Trinity. He built two more small rooms, a storeroom and a cistern to have drinking water. The years passed, the five children he had left behind in the village grew up and Athanasios even had grandchildren. In fact, in 1933, one of his grandchildren was ordained a clergyman while being single. He was the later archimandrite Theoklitos Stragas, who, during his service as a clergyman, held important positions in the Ecclesiastical administration (Secretary of the Holy Synod, Protosyncle of Metropoles, etc.). Theoklitos Stragas was very well acquainted with the pastor of Panagia of Gargaliani, Papa-Giannis Stavrianopoulos.

    In 1936, the now old ascetic, returning from Gargalianι to his cave, slipped on a slope and hit severely. As the days went by, his condition worsened and on March 14th, 1937, Athanasios Stragas passed away. He was buried in his favourite hermitage by Papas (Priest) John, in a tomb he had carved on the rock. After his death, the place was deserted as none of his heirs wanted to live in the area.

    On January 15th, 1950, in the "Simaia" newspaper of Kalamata, an article by Sotiris Lyrintzis was published under the title: "An Ascetic". The journalist presented "Barba-Thanasis" as a pious and very likeable man, as we read in the following excerpt: Fifty years ago, old Barba (Old man) - Thanasis used to live by money earned from his daily work. However, no matter how poor the external appearance of this man was, so rich and kind and pulsating was the emotional wealth inside him ... "

    The article mentioned above was the occasion for the archimandrite (and his grandson), Theoklitos Stragas, to show interest in the "Hermitage". So, he printed a small book with the life of the ascetic, recovered his remains (in the presence of a large crowd), and decided to start the renovation-reconstruction of the "Hermitage". The reconstruction work finally began in 1968 and most of the work was completed ten years later. The architect and contractor was the archimandrite himself. Then, Theoklitos started the actions in order to give legal status to the "Hermitage". Thus, the heirs of the ascetic, namely the archimandrite Theoklitos Stragas, Efstathia Gouma and Theodora Karali, submitted to the metropolitan of Trifylia and Olympia, Stefanos, a document requesting the recognition of the "Hermitage" as an institution with the Hermitage of Gargaliani, The Holy Trinity ". The purpose of the establishment of this foundation was: "... to house in the five independent houses donated by its founders, people who wish and can imitate the Saint Athanasios Stragan's fifty-year-old cave hermitage ..." A basic condition for these people were not to become monks, but as laypeople to live a solitary life, like ascetic Athanasios. Metropolitan Stefanos sent the document to the Holy Synod, which: "... rejected the establishment of this institution as a foreign to the Monastic Law of the Eastern Orthodox Church". After the refusal of recognition in this form, the heirs requested the revocation of the founding act from the First Instance Court of Kyparissia.

    In 1982, Theoklitos wrote a letter asking the metropolitan to recognise the place as a "Holy Pilgrimage". Thus, three years later, in 1985, the Provisional Administrative Regulations for the "Holy Trinity Pilgrimage to the Holy Trinity of the Gargaliani Hermitage" were published in the "Government Gazette", as well as in the magazine "Church", which, among other things, provided for the drafting Rules of Procedure by the Administrative Committee after the Establishment of the Church and the inauguration of the Foundation. In the end, the Holy Pilgrimage was never inaugurated by the Diocese because those involved were never found in agreement with the Rules of Procedure.

    In 2008, the shooting of the film "The Horsemen of Pylos" by Nikos Kalogeropoulos, starring himself and Takis Spyridakis, took place in the building complex of "Askitari". In fact, Nikos Kalogeropoulos gave the ruined labyrinth the apt designation "Polypylo". Finally, since 2008 the space has been owned by the Konstantakopoulos family, owners of the luxury hotel, Costa Navarino, in Pylos.

    TAKES PLACE NEARBY...

    25th February 2023 at 20:30
    Kapetanakis Grill Shop ~2.4Km
    Carnival Dance of the Gargaliani Women

    Carnival Dance of the Gargaliani Women's Cultural - Educational Association

    HAPPENINGS

    MYTHS, STORIES & CUSTOMS

    The old woman’s myth

    The old woman’s myth

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    Antilohos

    Antilohos

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    The House of Nilides

    The House of Nilides

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    Proteus, Proti Island and sea monsters

    Proteus, Proti Island and sea monsters

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     The Prince Thrasimidis

     The Prince Thrasimidis

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    The Odyssey,Telemachus, and Voidokilia.

    The Odyssey,Telemachus, and Voidokilia.

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    Gods and oxen...

    Gods and oxen...

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    Isle of Proti - The Pirate Island

    Isle of Proti - The Pirate Island

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    The story behind the famous Greek Souvlaki

    The story behind the famous Greek Souvlaki

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    ALSO YOU COULD VISIT...

    Barlas

    Barlas' Beach

    BEACHES
    ~3Km
    Vromoneri Beach

    Vromoneri Beach

    BEACHES
    ~3.3Km
    Chrysi Ammos (Golden Sand - Mati)

    Chrysi Ammos (Golden Sand - Mati)

    BEACHES
    ~4.1Km
    Nestor, The Wise King

    Nestor, The Wise King

    ANCIENT TIMES
    ~5.3Km
    Nestor

    Nestor's Palace

    ANCIENT TIMES
    ~5.5Km
    Waterfalls - Valta 

    Waterfalls - Valta 

    WATERFALLS
    ~6.2Km
    Wildlife Care & Protection Center

    Wildlife Care & Protection Center

    NATURE
    ~6.2Km
    Romanos Beach

    Romanos Beach

    BEACHES
    ~6.7Km
    Lagouvardos

    Lagouvardos

    BEACHES
    ~7Km
    Vourlia Beach

    Vourlia Beach

    BEACHES
    ~7.2Km
    Grammeno

    Grammeno

    PATHS
    ~7.2Km
    Sand dunes

    Sand dunes

    BEACHES
    ~7.3Km
    Petrochori Beach

    Petrochori Beach

    BEACHES
    ~7.5Km
    The Archeological Museum in Chora

    The Archeological Museum in Chora

    MUSEUMS
    ~7.5Km
    Proti Island
 

    Proti Island  

    ISLANDS
    ~7.8Km
    Voidokilia

    Voidokilia

    BEACHES
    ~9.2Km
    Palaiokastro

    Palaiokastro

    CASTLES
    ~9.7Km
    Agia Kyriaki Beach

    Agia Kyriaki Beach

    BEACHES
    ~9.9Km

    NEARBY, YOU WILL FIND

    • ACCOMODATION
    • ACTIVITIES
    • CATERING
    • FOODS
    • GOING OUT
    • HEALTH
    • LOCAL PRODUCTS
    • PET CARE
    • SERVICES
    • SHOPPING
    • TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
    • WELLNESS
    SUPERMARKETS
    ~1.8 km

    AB Food Market - Gargaliani (central)

    GYNAECOLOGISTS
    ~2.2 km

    Tzortzinis N. Dimitrios - Obstetrician Surgeon, Gynecologist (Gargaliani)

    BARS
    ~2.2 km

    Rodon Coffee & Drink

    INSURANCE
    ~2.3 km

    Dimitropoulos Insurance - Gargaliani

    VETERINARIANS
    ~2.3 km

    Veterinary Clinic – Maria Panagopoulou (Gargaliani)

    BARS
    ~2.4 km

    IMAR Lounge - Cafe/Bar

    COFFEE SHOPS
    ~2.4 km

    Il Centro - Cafe/Brunch/Restaurant

    ~2.4 km

    Kouzineto Food Station - Cookhouse

    BARS
    ~2.4 km

    Melissa,an appetizing, multi-purpose Cafe Bar

    RESTAURANTS
    ~2.4 km

    Kapetanakis Grill Shop

    STUDIES - LEARNING
    ~2.4 km

    Pianissimo Music Workshop

    UROLOGISTS
    ~2.4 km

    Panagopoulos Vassilios, MD, PhDc - Private urologist (Gargaliani)

    PIZZA HOUSES
    ~2.4 km

    Pizza Andronis

    COFFEE SHOPS
    ~2.4 km

    Attikon - Grill House

    PHOTOGRAPHERS
    ~2.4 km

    A. Jorjini - Photographer / Cinematic Productions

    COFFEE SHOPS
    ~2.4 km

    Filema Coffeehouse

    COFFEE SHOPS
    ~2.4 km

    Plaza Cafe

    TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS
    ~2.4 km

    Gefsis Gis

    BARBER SHOPS
    ~2.5 km

    Spyros' Barber Shop

    FLOWER SHOPS
    ~2.5 km

    Rania's Flower 

    GROCERY STORES
    ~2.5 km

    Τhe Tsaganis Bros – Fruits & Vegetables

    SUPERMARKETS
    ~2.5 km

    AB Food Market - Gargaliani

    SHOES & CLOTHING
    ~2.5 km

    Magdalinishoes

    HAIR SALONS
    ~2.5 km

    HB - Hair & Beauty

    FUNERAL HOME
    ~2.5 km

    Funeral Home - Andronis Chr. Panayiotis

    PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
    ~2.5 km

    Physio Active - Physiotherapy Centre

    TAXI-MINI BUSES
    ~2.6 km

    Taxi service 24H - Stavros Tsatoumas - Iklaina

    COFFEE SHOPS
    ~2.6 km

    Agora breakfast & brunch

    REAL ESTATE COMPANIES
    ~2.6 km

    Real Estate - Mesitopolis

    HOTELS
    ~2.8 km

    Messinian Horizons - Hotel

    GAS STATIONS
    ~2.8 km

    AVIN - Gas Station

    Wine
    ~2.9 km

    Domaine Dereskos - Winery

    RESTAURANTS
    ~3.5 km

    Grill House 'Dimitris'

    ROOMS TO LET
    ~3.5 km

    Five Pathways - Rooms to Let

    BEACH BARS
    ~3.9 km

    KOA - beach pool bar

    HOUSES TO RENT
    ~4.7 km

    Sir T Residence - Rooms to Let

    SHORT TERM RENTAL
    ~4.9 km

    Skiaxtro Eco Farm - Accommodation for Rent

    MULTI - ACTIVITY VENUES
    ~4.9 km

    Skiaxtro - Multi Activity Venue

    HOTELS
    ~5.2 km

    Hotel Rania

    ROOMS TO LET
    ~5.3 km

    Green Room - Rooms to Let

    CANTEENS
    ~5.4 km

    Mr Fish Food Truck - Take Away

    FISH TAVERNS (RESTAURANTS)
    ~5.4 km

    Panorama - Restaurants

    SUPERMARKETS
    ~5.4 km

    Supermarket - Butcher's - Grocery Store

    ROOMS TO LET
    ~5.5 km

    Agrikies Country Retreat - Rooms to Let

    SUPERMARKETS
    ~5.5 km

    Miggas

    GRILL HOUSES
    ~5.5 km

    Boudis - Grill House

    CANTEENS
    ~5.5 km

    EORTI Catering

    TAXI-MINI BUSES
    ~5.5 km

    Messinia Taxi, Dimitris Lappas

    DIVING
    ~5.5 km

    Ionian Dive Center - Diving Centre

    GRILL HOUSES
    ~5.5 km

    Like the old days - Grill House

    GROCERY STORES
    ~5.5 km

    Froutafora - Grocery Store

    ROOMS TO LET
    ~5.6 km

    Entheon Hotel & Entheon Olive Villas

    RESTAURANTS
    ~5.6 km

    Entheon Cafe-Restaurant

    BARS
    ~5.6 km

    Rodanthos cafe & cocktail bar

    ROOMS TO LET
    ~5.6 km

    Harmony House - Rooms to Let

    HOTELS
    ~5.6 km

    Hotel Artina & Artina Nuovo

    CAMPING SITES
    ~5.7 km

    Camping Proti

    RESTAURANTS
    ~5.8 km

    Riki - Mediterranean cuisine / Restaurant

    GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCES
    ~5.8 km

    BOAT RIDE TOUR & FULL LOCAL LUNCH IN MESSINIA

    ROOMS TO LET
    ~5.8 km

    Esperides - Rooms to Let

    SEA TRANSPORTATIONS
    ~5.9 km

    Ionian Sail - Sea Tours

    RESTAURANTS
    ~6.2 km

    O Giorgos - Restaurant

    RESTAURANTS
    ~6.6 km

    Mesogeios Restaurant

    ROOMS TO LET
    ~6.6 km

    Lagouvardos Apartments

    HOTELS
    ~6.6 km

    Mesogeios Hotel

    Olive Oil
    ~6.7 km

    Messinian Story - Olive Oil

    HOTELS
    ~7.1 km

    Lagouvardos Village - Hotel

    BEACH BARS
    ~7.2 km

    Laguna Surf Beach Bar

    COFFEE SHOPS
    ~7.3 km

    9 Muses Cafe

    ROOMS TO LET
    ~7.3 km

    9 muses - Rooms to Let

    BEACH BARS
    ~7.4 km

    4 Seas - Beach Bar/Restaurant

    HOTELS
    ~7.4 km

    Hotel Navarone

    WATER SPORTS
    ~7.4 km

    "4 Splash" Waterpark

    RESTAURANTS
    ~7.5 km

    Ammothines - Restaurant

    APPETIZERS AND SNACKS
    ~7.5 km

    Street Art Coffee

    RESTAURANTS
    ~7.5 km

    "Opos Palia" (Like the old days) Tavern

    CAMPING SITES
    ~7.5 km

    Ammothines Glamping

    CARPENTRY INSTALLATIONS - SPECIAL CONSTRUCTIONS
    ~8.2 km

    SA design Staurou Andreas - Special Constructions

    GRILL HOUSES
    ~9.1 km

    Exohicon - Grill House

    TAXI-MINI BUSES
    ~9.3 km

    Taxi service 24H - Stavros Tsatoumas - Gialova

    FISH TAVERNS (RESTAURANTS)
    ~9.8 km

    Achinos

    Olive Oil
    ~5.2 km

    Ariston - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    Melon
    ~6.6 km

    Gonis Melons

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