Monasteries
Hermitage of Saint John Prodromos Akritochori: The Hermitage is built northeast of the commune of Akritochori and north of the Villa Belles Hotel at the foot of Mountain Belles. It is one of the numerous nunneries of Greece and is under the spiritual guidance of Archimandrite Alexios, who is the superior of the Xenophontos monastery of Agio Oros. The nuns are engaged in hagiography and needlework with gold. The Hermitage disposes of hospitality guest’s room for individuals and groups after agreement. The feast day of the Hermitage is on 29th August to commemorate the beheading of Saint John Prodromos. Tel: +30 23230 71189.

Hole Monastery of Sts. Kirikos and Iouliti Sidirokastro: The Hole Monastery of Sts. Kirikos and Iouliti is located on a hill northeast of Sidirokastro. The Monastery was built in 1968 by the initiative of the newcomer Bishop of Sidirokastro Ioannis. At its coenobium until 2004 live 54 nuns. The nuns have the exclusive care of the Girl’s Orphanage, the Old People’s Home and Camps of the Holy Metropolis of Sidirokastro. The feast day of the Monastery is on 15th July to commemorate Sts. Kirikos and Iouliti. Tel: +30 23230 22395.

Monastery of Saint John Prodromos: The Monastery of Saint John Prodromos is built in the depths of a wooded valley at the Mountain Menikion, about 12 km northeast from the city of Serres. It was founded in 1270 by the later Bishop Ezevon (Dafni) Ioannikios. In 1332 the Monastery became stavropegic and patriarchal. Here, from 1457 till 1462, the first Patriarch after the fall of Constantinople Gennadios Scholarios was sheltered, whose tomb is in the monastery. The feast day of the Monastery is on 29th August to commemorate the beheading of Saint John Prodromos. Tel: +30 23230 22395.