Mt. Athos, July 13, 2020
Yesterday, July 12, the brotherhood of the Athonite Koutloumousiou Monastery elected a new abbot after the previous abbot, Archimandrite Christodoulos stepped down late last month due to health problems.
“Today, on the day of the memory of Elder Paisios the Athonite, Hieromonk Nicholas was elected as the new abbot,” Romfea reported yesterday.
Fr. Nicholas had been appointed acting abbot when Fr. Christodoulos stepped down.
In December 2018, the Athonite Monastery of Dochariou elected Hieromonk Amphilochios as its new abbot following the repose of the venerable Archimandrite Gregory. In October 2016, the Athonite Monastery of St. Panteleimon elected then-Hierodeacon Evlogy as its new abbot following the repose of Schema-Archimandrite Jeremiah.
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Koutloumousiou, located not far from the Athonite capital of Karyes, is ranked 6th in the hierarchy of the 20 ruling monasteries.
The monastery dates to at least the 12th century, with the first written mention of the monastery coming from 1169. It is known for its library, containing more than 900 manuscripts and 3,500 printed books, and it is said to possess the largest piece of the True Cross.
Today, there are about 25 brothers at the monastery.
