I-Heart-Mykonos-tank-top.jpg
Greek-flag-socks.jpg
Santorini-luggage-tag.jpg
save-water-drink-ouzo-t-shirt.jpg

Ossios Loukas

Central Greece

Ossios Loukas is a Byzantine monastery that stands between Athens and Delphi and is the burial place of the Greek hermit, Blessed Luke.

Ossios Loukas Monastery

The monastery of Ossios Loukas (or Osiou Louka, the name meaning Blessed Luke) stands alone in an olive tree-filled valley a short way down a side road off the main Athens-Delphi road. The saint to whom it is dedicated was a Greek hermit, not the more famous gospel writer. This St Luke died in 953AD and is buried in a crypt at the monastery.

Ossios Loukas Monastery

Ossios Loukas Byzantine Architecture

The chapels here are among the best examples of Byzantine architecture in Greece, and have some of the country's finest preserved frescoes. Despite its isolated position, Ossios Loukas is usually busy, not just because of the frescoes or the reverence for St Luke, but because it makes a convenient second stop for tours on a one-day trip from Athens to see Delphi. The monastery is about a two-hour drive from Athens, and 45 minutes from Delphi.

The Life of St Luke

Ossios Loukas mosaicOssios Loukas

St Luke was probably born in Delphi in 896AD, to parents who had fled from Aegina to escape the Saracens. Known to be spiritual and somewhat other-worldly, Luke left home in his teens to seek solitude. He gained a reputation as a healer, and was soon credited with miraculous cures. Eventually Luke settled in the nearby village of Stiri, and the first church on the site of the monastery was built between 941 and 944 and dedicated to St Barbara.

Ossios Loukas Monastery

Luke's Prophecies

By this time Luke had also developed a gift for prophecy, and among his predictions was one that Crete would be liberated by an emperor named Romanos. In 961, eight years after Luke's death, Crete was taken from its Arab rulers by the Byzantines under the Emperor Romanos and, in recognition of Luke's prophecy, Romanos built a large church alongside that of St Barbara.

Ossios Loukas Monastery

Ossios Loukas Frescoes

The first thing to greet you when you arrive at Ossios Loukas is a glowing gold mosaic of the saint on an arch over the entrance gate into the monastery proper. The original church that was built by Romanos was replaced by one built in 1020, known as the Katholikon.

It is an awesome experience to enter the tall building, with its marble walls, and see the light slanting in from high windows onto the ancient frescoes, some of which date back to the original building of the church at the start of the 11th century, a thousand years ago. However, many of the frescoes were repainted after an earthquake in 1659 damaged the monastery.

Finest of the Mosaics

The Washing of the Apostles' FeetThe Washing of the Apostles' Feet

The finest of the mosaics is said to be "The Washing of the Apostles' Feet", which is in the narthex, high up to your left as you enter the main, western door. It is a striking work, not only for the bright gold and other colours that remain, but for the very human expressions on the faces of the apostles. It helps to have binoculars with you to have a good look, or a good zoom on your camera.

Ossios Loukas Crypt

Beneath the Katholikon is a crypt with the body of St Luke. There are also more frescoes here dating back to the 11th century, although it is fully difficult to appreciate them as the light is kept low, both out of reverence for the remains of the saint and also to help preserve the frescoes

Ossios Loukas Monastery

Church of the Theotokos

In an unusual arrangement, the smaller church of the Theotokos (The God-Bearing, in reference to the Virgin Mary) is connected to the larger church. The Theotokos is thought to have been built in the years 997-1011, so it is slightly older than the Katholikon. Its mosaics are easier to see, most being on the floor. Note, too, the elaborate exterior brickwork.

The View from the Terrace

Ossios Loukas Monastery

The monastery also has outbuildings that can be explored, as well as a museum containing finds from the site, and shops, which indicates the popularity of the place for pilgrims and tourists alike. Don't miss the terrace, which gives wonderful views across farmland and groves of olive and almond trees to the Elikonas Mountains beyond.

Tranquility at Ossios Loukas

Only a handful of monks still live at Ossios Loukas, and the daily round of visitors is a necessary interruption to their monastic life, to help with the upkeep of the monastery. Lucky is the visitor who arrives here to find the tranquility that the monks themselves seek out, and can perhaps share it with them, if only for a while. If you want to enjoy the place in as peaceful a way as possible, arrive early or late in the day to avoid the crowds. If that isn't possible, you should still go as it is a very magical place.

Icons

Icons have become universal in our modern world, but the specific meaning goes back to the Greek word eikon, meaning an image of a person. In some churches that is all it is: an image or depiction of a saint or other holy person. In Eastern Orthodox religions like the Greek Church, however, the image itself is sacred. When you visit a church and see worshippers kneeling before an icon, or kissing it, they believe they are communicating directly with the person portrayed. 

Icon painting in Greece goes back to the earliest days of Christianity and continues today. Greeks still buy icons, both large ones to hang at home and small ones for their cars, and they make unusual souvenirs.

Some Central Greece and Thessaly pages

  • Arachova is a mountain town in the Parnassus Mountains of Greece and a good base for visiting the ancient archaeological site of Delphi, a 15-minute drive away.

    Arachova

    Arachova is a mountain town in the Parnassus Mountains of Greece and a good base for visiting the ancient archaeological site of Delphi, a 15-minute drive away.

  • Central Greece and Thessaly has many Greek visitor attractions, like ancient Delphi, Meteora, the Pelion and Ossios Loukas monastery.

    Central Greece and Thessaly

    Central Greece and Thessaly has many Greek visitor attractions, like ancient Delphi, Meteora, the Pelion and Ossios Loukas monastery.

  • Trikala is a city in Thessaly, noted for its traditional architecture with lots of things to see and a good base for visiting the monasteries of Meteora.

    Things to See in Trikala

    Trikala is a city in Thessaly, noted for its traditional architecture with lots of things to see and a good base for visiting the monasteries of Meteora.

  • The city of Volos has several museums and is a major port, and also the gateway to the charming Pelion peninsula with its traditional villages and beaches.

    Volos and Pelion

    The city of Volos has several museums and is a major port, and also the gateway to the charming Pelion peninsula with its traditional villages and beaches.

  • The Pindus Mountains range runs along the border between Epirus and Thessaly, includes two national parks and some of the highest mountain peaks in the country.

    Pindus Mountains

    The Pindus Mountains range runs along the border between Epirus and Thessaly, includes two national parks and some of the highest mountain peaks in the country.

  • The Parnassus Mountains rise behind ancient Delphi and the mountain village of Arachova, and the Parnassus National Park is one of the two oldest in Greece.

    Parnassus Mountains

    The Parnassus Mountains rise behind ancient Delphi and the mountain village of Arachova, and the Parnassus National Park is one of the two oldest in Greece.

  • The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.

    Northern Greece Guide

    The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.

  • Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and is in the Mount Olympus National Park in Macedonia, with Litochoro being the best base.

    Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece

    Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and is in the Mount Olympus National Park in Macedonia, with Litochoro being the best base.

  • Visiting the monasteries of Meteora on the Plain of Thessaly, with hotels in Kalambaka and guided tours available.

    Meteora

    Visiting the monasteries of Meteora on the Plain of Thessaly, with hotels in Kalambaka and guided tours available.

  • This beautiful drive along the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth (Korinthiakos Kolpos), goes from Delphi to Missolonghi via Galixidi and Nafpaktos.

    Gulf of Corinth Drive

    This beautiful drive along the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth (Korinthiakos Kolpos), goes from Delphi to Missolonghi via Galixidi and Nafpaktos.

  • Visiting the ancient site of Delphi and its archaeological museum in the Parnassos Mountains of Central Greece.

    Delphi, Ancient Greek Site and Archaeological Museum

    Visiting the ancient site of Delphi and its archaeological museum in the Parnassos Mountains of Central Greece.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Storm Elias continues, bringing heavy showers and thunderstorms until Thursday

    The Elias weather system was affecting several parts of the country on Tuesday, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail and lightning.

    Read More

  2. EasyJet Launches New Route and Package Holidays to Skiathos

    British low-cost carrier EasyJet and tour operator easyJet holidays have announced the launch of flights and holidays to Skiathos from London Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester for next summer.

    Read More

  3. Highway to Athens from Eleonas Toll re-opened to traffic

    The highway to Athens from the Eleonas Toll Station was opened to traffic by opening a lane on the opposite side of the road following its closure due to mudslides.

    Read More

  4. This Less-Visited Region In Southern Greece Has Stunning Beaches & Almost No Crowds

    On my first visit to the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece, I don’t remember what exactly prompted me to jump in a rental car and start exploring. I do remember the route: it was a narrow road…

    Read More

  5. Best Restaurants on Mykonos

    evas-garden-restaurant-mykonos-2.jpg
    Greece Travel Secrets picks its best restaurants on Mykonos, choosing those gourmet restaurants known for their fine dining, and some with tasting menus.

    Read More

  6. Things to Do on Mykonos

    mykonos-pixabay-2.jpg
    There are plenty of things to do on Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, such as nightlife, beaches, churches and visiting the ancient site of Delos.

    Read More

  7. Mykonos

    Mykonos_Greek_food_drink_cruises.jpg
    Mykonos in the Cyclades islands in Greece has cheap and luxury hotel accommodation, car rental, ferries from Athens, Santorini, Crete and other Greek islands.

    Read More

  8. Tsikoudia: Cretan Raki and the Taste of Tradition

    With its distinctive fruity aromas, tsikoudia is more than just a drink - it is a symbol of conviviality, hospitality, and the rich heritage of Crete.

    Read More

  9. New Maria Callas Museum to Open Soon

    A museum dedicated to the legendary Greek opera singer Maria Callas, located in the heart of Athens, will open its doors to the public later this year.

    Read More

  10. European Heritage Days 2023 at the Acropolis Museum

    In celebration of this year's European Heritage Days, the Acropolis Museum in Athens will offer free entry and host a special guided tour for children.

    Read More