The powerful earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale that struck the Athos Peninsula on Saturday, June 7 was the strongest tremor in a sequence of dozens of quakes recorded before and after the main event. This seismic activity caused significant damage to several historic monastic sites, according to an assessment by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Halkidiki and Mount Athos under the Ministry of Culture.

Holy Monastery of Xenophontos

One of the most seriously affected sites is the Katholikon (primary church building) of Xenophontos Monastery, a late 10th-century monument adorned with 16th-century frescoes. During an on-site inspection, archaeologists and conservators identified severe cracking in the domes of both the main church and the adjoining narthex.

The interior frescoes suffered visible damage, including flaking of the painted surfaces and localized plaster detachment.
Minor damage was also reported to the church’s 11th-century marble floor, caused by the fall of a small metal chandelier during the quake.

In the monastery’s southwest wing, inspectors observed fine cracks in the frescoes of the chapel of Saint Euphemia. The newer katholikon, built in 1819 sustained only minor structural issues thanks to recent reinforcement work. However, significant cracking was observed in the outer narthex, which had not been similarly reinforced.

Holy Monastery of Docheiariou

The katholikon of Docheiariou Monastery, dating from the second half of the 16th century and rebuilt on the site of a 12th-century church, also suffered damage. The church features frescoes painted in 1568 by the renowned Cretan school artist Tzortzis.

Pre-existing cracks in the domes and narthex had previously been stabilized, but the June 7 quake exacerbated these weaknesses. The monastery’s trapeza (refectory), built in 1547 in a T-shaped plan and decorated with 17th- and 18th-century frescoes, showed renewed activity along old cracks that had been filled with more recent mortar. Parts of the painted layer also began to detach from the masonry substrate.

Other Monasteries Affected

At Pantokratoros Monastery, officials completed an inspection of the frescoes in the katholikon and chapels. Meanwhile, inspections are underway at Vatopedi Monastery. At Simonos Petra Monastery, structural damage has been reported in the central wing and certain frescoed surfaces.
Authorities are continuing their assessments across Mount Athos to determine the full extent of the damage and prioritize conservation efforts.