The monastery of Saint John the Theologian is an active convent, which is situated in Souroti, about 28 kilometres from Thessaloniki. The monastery that is dedicated to John the Theologian and Arsenios of Cappadocia was founded in 1972 by Paisios the Athonite.
Elder Paisios the Athonite is known in Greece and outwards as a spiritual mentor and the author of foreknowledge. In the 60ies, he lived in the Panaguda cell on mount Athos, where he received many pilgrims from all over the world. It was then when women appealed to him and asked for help in organizing a convent. Despite his health problems, Paisios got to organize a refuge for the nuns. He found a place near the village of Souroti, and after receiving a blessing from the local bishop, the construction started off.
After the construction was finished, the elder Paisius left his cell for a few months and moved to the monastery. For the rest of his life he visited it several times a year and corresponded with the nuns who lived there. On July 12, 1994, Paisios died and was buried in the Holy monastery of Saint John the Theologian at his request. Since then, on this date, thousands of pilgrims come to the monastery to honor his memory and pray. In 2015, Paisios was canonized by the Orthodox Church of Constantinople.
Another relic that of the monastery is the Holy relics of St. Arsenios of Cappadocia. Venerable Arsenios is known for his gift of healing and ascetic life. He performed the sacrament of baptism over Paisios the Athonite.
You can reach the Holy monastery of St. John the Theologian in Souroti by car or by bus from Thessaloniki. The monastery is located on the road to the Halkidiki peninsula. Near the monastery there is a large parking lot, so do not worry about the place to leave the car.
You can get there by bus as well. The number of the bus route depends on your point of departure. The bus stop where you should get off is called “MONASTIRI IOANNOU THEOLOGOU (ΜΟΝΑΣΤΗΡΙ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΘΕΟΛΟΓΟΥ)” and has the stop code 38049.
The current bus schedule is available on the official website.
The monastery is a functioning holy place where nuns live and pray, so the dress code is strict here and it should be taken seriously.
Women are recommended to wear long skirts that have to be below the knee, as well as long sleeves.
As for men, they should wear pants and a long-sleeved jacket or shirt.
It is important! The visitors wearing clothes that do not comply with the dress code are not allowed to come in the monastery. No kerchiefs or things to put on are sold on the territory. The same requirements to clothing apply to children.
