Two important monasteries in Magnesia are known under the name of Panagia of Ksenia, a short distance from the Athens-Thessaloniki National Road, between Almyros and Sourpi and at a distance of 12 kilometers from each other.
Kato Ksenia was a land of the Monastery of Ano Xenia, but in 1970 it was divided and a sorority settled there.
THE MONASTERY OF ANO KSENIA
The male monastery of Panagia of Ano Ksenia is situated in a beautiful landscape south of Almyros, in a forested area with centuries-old willows, plane trees, as well as the four cypress trees, a distinctive feature of the monastery, whose history is presumed to be the age of the monastery.
The monastery is old. It was founded in the late 10th century. The reason for the erection was probably the discovery of the icon of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos (Virgin Mary) among the ivies, hence the name “Kissiotissis” (ivy: “kissos” (greek)). The miraculous icon is now kept in the monastery of Lower Ksenia.
The name Ksenia is said to be due to the fact that the monastery provided great hospitality to the people who visited it. However, another possible explanation for the locals is that the icon of Virgin Mary came from another foreign monastery and called it Ksenia (ksenos (greek): foreign).
It quickly flourished, but in the 13th century, during the Frankish rule (Francocracy), the Latins slaughtered approximately 800 monks of the monastery who refused to submit to the papal power.
During the Ottoman domination it kept a secret school. In 1600 it was renovated, but later the raids of the thieves and the severe winter forced the monks to build the monastery of Saint Nicholas - today's monastery of Kato Ksenia - where they settled permanently in 1878. By the foundation of the first Greek state the property of the monastery was bound.
In the Second World War, the monastery is burned by the Italians and miraculously is saved only the Catholic (katholikon). Today, the Katholikon of the Monastery of Ano Ksenia is preserved in a very good condition and constitutes an important Byzantine monument.
In 1968, a new brotherhood settled and its modern prosperity began in 1986. The seven monks, under the guidance of the Abbot Nektarios, are engaged, among other things, in hagiography, assisting in the pastoral work with catechistic lectures, radio broadcasts, as well as articles.
The nunnery of Kato Ksenia is built on a plateau with lush vegetation and is at a distance of 16 km from Almyros. During the transfer of the nuns to the monastery of Kato Ksenia, the nuns brought with them the sacred icon of the Virgin Mary and all the heirlooms.
The most honored and miraculous icon is made of wax and mastic, the “mastic-candle”, which seems to have been used since the early Christian years. From time to time it has accomplished many and indisputable wonders, such as handling of epidemics, natural disasters, drought solutions, as well as the treatment of serious health problems. The silver cover of the picture was manufactured in 1900.
THE MONASTERY OF KATO KSENIA
The nunnery of Kato Ksenia is built on a plateau with lush vegetation and is at a distance of 16 km from Almyros. During the transfer of the nuns to the monastery of Kato Ksenia, the nuns brought with them the sacred icon of the Virgin Mary and all the heirlooms.
The most honored and miraculous icon is made of wax and mastic, the “mastic-candle”, which seems to have been used since the early Christian years. From time to time it has accomplished many and indisputable wonders, such as handling of epidemics, natural disasters, drought solutions, as well as the treatment of serious health problems. The silver cover of the picture was manufactured in 1900.
Over the years, Saint Nicholas' glebe experienced great spiritual and economic heyday and replaced the dominant Upper monastery. Since 1970 it has been operating as a nunnery with about 10 nuns.
In 1980 it was destroyed by an earthquake, so it began to be built within a short distance (one kilometer), on the nearby hill of Kastraki. The work of preserving and restoring the old building of the monastery has recently acceded to the NSRF.
Great is the offer of the holy monastery, spiritual and social, in the struggles for the liberation from the Turks and during the recent national struggles. Among its holy relics hulk the seven relic cases with relics of saints such as the Three Hierarchs, Saints Anargyroi, Saints Nektarios, Efstathios, Panteleimon, Paraskevi etc. but also two small pieces from the Cincture (Holy Belt) of the Theotokos (blessed Virgin Mary), a gift of the Monastery of Vatopedi in 1522.
Panagia of Ksenia is famous not only for the locals but also for the wider Thessaly and central Greece in general. Both monasteries belong to the Holy Metropolis of Demetriada and Almiros.
The Upper Monastery celebrates on August 15, while the Lower on 23, on the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. At the Monastery of Kato Ksenia, crowds of believers flock also on the Good Friday for the representation of the Lord's Crucifixion and Descent from the Cross.
