Supervisors info:
Ιωάννα Στουφή-Πουλημένου, Καθηγήτρια, Θεολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
The monastery of Panagia Filosofos in mountainous Arcadia, since its foundation in the 10th century, has influenced the societies of the region and especially the neighbouring Dimitsana, the homeland of its founder. The effects of this influence were most pronounced during the years of the Ottoman occupation.
The monastery was founded by the Dimitsanite Ioannis Lampardopoulos or Philosopher, a close associate of the Emperor Nikiforos Fokas and a representative of the Byzantine Renaissance.
The purpose of its foundation, apart from being religious, was also political. The aim was to make the monastery the stronghold of Christianity and Hellenism in the region, in order to counter the danger of the Slavic conquerors. It was a peaceful weapon, which had tools: the Gospel, education and diplomacy.
The political purpose for which the monastery was founded was achieved and the Slavs were assimilated. The threat of the Franks and finally the Turkish conquest were later dealt with in the same successful way.It can be observed that a millennial spiritual, educational and national tradition was created in the monastery, which had a particular influence on the neighbouring Dimitsana. The monastery functioned as a model of life and a school for the Dimitsanites, who still call it the Hidden School to this day.
The success of this effect is confirmed by the action of the Dimitsanites. Specifically, Dimitsana during the Ottoman rule gave birth to: five saints, seven patriarchs, dozens of archpriests, hundreds of priests, scholars, teachers, merchants and craftsmen. As well as the main organizers of the two great revolutions against the Turks, the merchants who won Sultanic privileges and in 1744 liberated Dimitsana, the merchants who purposefully rebuilt the powder mills and supplied the Fighters with marbles, teachers of the Nation who, among other things, founded the School and the Library in Dimitsana, the first organized school in the Peloponnese and many anonymous people who worked in coordination for the good of the Nation. The culture and civilization of the Dimitsanites were also reflected in the architecture of their city, which is still visible today. During the years of Ottoman rule, the Dimitsanites waged a great national and religious struggle with weapons: the Gospel, education and the diplomatic handling of power, as taught by the founder of the monastery and traditionally offered to them by the Philosopher monastery.
Keywords:
Monastery, Dimitsana, Arcadia, Education, Philosophou, Lampardopoulos
