Holy Monastery of Archangel Michael of Thassos
The Archangel Michael’s convent: Historical facts
The Holy Convent of Archangel Michael is a share of the Holy Monastery of Philotheos (at the monastic state of Mount Athos) situated on the island of Thasos in Greece. Its historical origin is set in the Byzantine times. In 1090 AD the hermit Luke built a small chapel at the place obeying the command of Archangel Michael, who hit with his hand and a holy spring gushed out there.
The holy water, which has been a source of many miracles, flew in the chapel until the occupation of Thasos by the Turks. Then some irreverent Turks tried to pollute the spring mocking our faith and the result was that the spring dried out. Later the holy water gushed out again and keeps flowing until today in a different position, in a cave under some rocks near the sea. It is called the “on the knees” holy water because you enter the spring on your knees. It is still the source of miracles to the pilgrims who pray and ask for the Archangel’s help.
In the convent is also found a piece of the Holy Nail, put in the right hand of the crucified Christ and it is kept in an artistically crafted hepterygo for the pilgrims to worship and for the protection of the convent and the island. This was dedicated to the Monastery of Philotheos by the emperor Nikiforos III Botaneiates and it was miraculously moved to this chapel as the Archangel wished.
This Monastery share remained abandoned until 1974, when the blessed Ephraim, Abbot of the Monastery of Philotheos, brought the first sisterhood in this place, where the facilities were rudimentary. The nuns have worked very hard to reconstruct the place and bring the convent to its present amazing condition.
The grace of the Holy Nail and the Archangel, as well as the plethora of miracles attract many pilgrims from all over the world, praying for help and protection from the trials and tribulations of life.
May we all be under the Archangel’s mighty wings!
