Byzantine Period

The exact date of the foundation of the Vatopedi Monastery is not known. One tradition cites Constantine the Great (361-363) as its founder, and then Theodosius the Great (379-395). However, historical evidence indicates that it was re-founded by the Hadrianopolis rulers Athanasius, Nicholas and Anthony at the urging of Saint Athanasius of Athonite. Indeed, in 985 a certain Nicholas is known as its abbot, while in the years 1020-1048 a successor named Athanasius is attested, and in 1142 Anthony. Based on this historical evidence, its re-establishment is placed between the years 972 (the year of publication of the Typikon by John Tzimiskes) and 985*.

After its foundation, Vatopedi remained a small monastery for a while, but soon experienced rapid growth that continued throughout the 11th century. This growth is perhaps explained by the aristocratic origin of its founders, which would have favored the progress of the Monastery in the 1st-11th centuries, a time of the rise of the aristocracy in Byzantium. Imperial support soon followed, which continued in the following centuries. Indicative of the Monastery's ties with the palace is the privilege of its abbot's ascension by royal order, which it acquired in the 11th century. At the same time, however, it maintained close relations with the Byzantine aristocracy, which would never be interrupted.

For the 12th century. we know little about Vatopedi, due to the lack of sources. At the end of this period the Monastery is directly linked to the Monastery of Chilandari (1199), founded by the Serbian Saint-rulers Symeon and Sava. In the 13th century. the addition to the name of the Monastery of the title Vasiliki (c. 1287) is an indication of its further strengthening and is obviously connected with the rise to power of the Palaiologos dynasty. Since then this title has always accompanied its name without question.

The 14th century is the golden period for the Monastery, which benefits from significant donations from various members of the Byzantine aristocracy and acquires great prestige.. During this period, the so-called Hesychast issue also arose, against which the Monastery took a correct and positive position, defending the patristic hesychast tradition, while Abbot Ioannikios signed the so-called Mount Athos Volume written by the great advocate of hesychasm and illuminator of Orthodoxy, Saint Gregory Palamas. At the same time, Saint Savvas, the Fool for Christ, a Vatopedi monk, took part in a peace mission to Constantinople, which was composed of Athonite fathers in order to end the civil war of 1341-1347. Around the same period, the then abbot of Vatopedi managed to mitigate the consequences that the civil war would naturally bring to the Monastery and even obtained benefits from the Emperor John XVI Kantakouzenos, and from the Serbian ruler Stefan Dusan.

In 1403, the first period of Turkish rule over Mount Athos ended. From then on, Vatopedi would move between the authority of Constantinople and that of the despot of Thessaloniki, achieving benefits from both sides. In 1423-4, Mount Athos, and Vatopedi, passed definitively into the hands of the Ottomans.

* Recent excavations that began on the northeastern side of the catholicon in December 2000, and are ongoing, have brought to the surface findings of significant historical value. Columns and other architectural elements arranged in a similar order reveal the existence of an early Christian church (perhaps a type of basilica) in this area. The excavations are of course ongoing until expert archaeologists can make a specific decision on the dating of the church and any other findings. However, it is a fact that so far, the said excavations confirm the tradition that the Monastery was founded before the 10th century, since an early Christian church was located on the site of the present catholicon. This means that monastic life existed in Vatopedi since the early Christian years, and not with the arrival of the new founders Nicholas, Athanasius and Anthony from Adrianople, who apparently did not found the Monastery but renovated it.