On the ‘Upbringing and Education’ of Adolescents in Iviron Monastery
Keywords:
George the Athonite, Athos, Iviron Monastery, Byzantine education, orphanotropheionAbstract
This article examines the placement and education of adolescents brought from Georgia to Mount Athos by George the Athonite in the 11th century. Evidence preserved in the 1047–1090 border acts of Iviron indicates that the children’s shelter located in the domain of Saint Barbara was owned by the Iviron Monastery. A comparative analysis of similar institutions under the jurisdiction of the Great Lavra (Neos Island, Mylopotamos) and the metochion of the Petritsoni Monastery (Nikoltsminda) demonstrates that, in the monasteries of Mount Athos, beardless adolescents could be accommodated in designated spaces outside the main monastic enclosure. The location of the orphanage (beyond the Athos Peninsula), its dating (from 1047), and the functions of orphanotropheia (the upbringing and education of orphans) in Byzantine practice suggest that this building mentioned in the Acts likely served as the residence and educational space for the adolescents brought by George the Athonite.
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