New Athos or Simon Canonite monastery was founded the 19 th century by Russian monks from the well-known monastery standing on the Holy Mount Athos in Greece . This grandiose and majestic construction was erected for more than 15 years and today is one of the most famous relics of Orthodox Christianity. The monastery is located 75 meters above the sea level at the foot of Mount Iberia near the ancient St. Simon Canonite temple. From the distance the monastery looks like a fairy tale city from Russian folklore. The same majestic domes with crosses and golden cupolas of churches. Four monastic buildings (with cells and household premises) form a closed square inside which there is a huge territory with various monastery objects.
The big temples are the three-dome church of the Ascension, Andrew the First-Called Church and Athos Saints Church. Next to them there is a wide multi-colored road leading to the high arched gate. In the centre of the western building stands the 50-m bell tower with a clock. Under the bell tower there is the monastic refectory which frescos painted walls just like in the small churches. But the most grandiose construction of the monastery is St. Panteleimon cathedral. It is impressive not only by its size: length – 53.3 m, width – 33.7 m, but also the beauty and architecture of the interior. The cathedral is crowned with five domes. The central one is 40 m high. The interior walls were richly painted in 1911-1914. The frescos vary in the combination of blue, brown and golden tones. The cathedral is the largest cult structure of Abkhazia. More than three thousand people can be present there simultaneously.
In 1924 it was closed. During the Soviet time its building was used as a tourist amp. In 1994 the
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