The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos (San Gerasimo) is the largest and most important of all the island of Kefalonia. Agios Gerasimos is in fact the patron saint of the island and on the day of his feast the monastery is filled with pilgrims.
Located on the heights of Kefalonia, at the end of a road protected by large trees, there is the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, preceded by an imposing portico with a bell tower. It is a majestic pink brick building built according to the Byzantine architectural tradition.
The life of the Saint
San Gerasimo was born in Trikala of Corinth in 1506 into a rich aristocratic family, the Notaras. He was ordained a monk on Mount Athos, subsequently spent 12 years in Jerusalem and 5 in Zakynthos. In 1555 he arrived in Kefalonia and spent his first 5 years in the cave that bears his name, located in the Lassi area. Later he settled on the Omala plateau, the area where the monastery now exists near Valsamata. San Gerasimo founded the monastery and took care of the poor and needy until his death in 1579. After his death, the body of San Gerasim was buried twice and exhumed intact, this led the Church to undertake the canonization process.
Two years later, on 20 October 1581, his remains were placed inside the monastery, where they are still found today. The body of San Gerasimo is still in the monastery today and has never been decomposed, this certified its sanctity. Agios Gerasimos was in fact canonized in 1622 by the Universal Patriarchate.
His remains, kept inside a silver casket, are a pilgrimage destination not only for the inhabitants of the island but for all the Greeks. The saint is known for his miraculous abilities on mental illness. Even today those who suffer from psychiatric disorders turn to him for help.
The evolution of the Monastery
Initially the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos was a small cave built by the Saint in the mid-16th century, where he himself slept and prayed; then the convent church was erected above the cave. It is still possible to visit the cave today, with the two rooms where the humble monk lived and the chapel above where the body of the saint is kept.
The monastery collapsed in 1953 due to the earthquake, but was rebuilt following the Byzantine style and today has a small chapel and a large church built in 1992 and richly decorated.
Inside there is the imposing bishop's throne made entirely of marble and a large chandelier suspended from the cross of the transept, in front of a large white marble partition. The walls and vaults are decorated with Byzantine-style frescoes, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments such as the Annunciation, Baptism and Birth of Christ, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Ascent to the Kingdom of the Celi, in addition to the Miracle of Pentecost, the death of San Gerasimo represented with Christ near the death bed of the Saint who already holds his soul in his arms, symbolized by a newborn baby.
In the courtyard there is a large tree and a well, which is said to have been excavated by the saint himself. Inside there is a trap door behind which it is said that the saint spent most of his life.
The parties
In addition to the majestic Byzantine building and the introspective atmosphere that this mystical place preserves, the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos also stands out for two cheerful festivals that are celebrated here every year. On August 16, the day after the saint's death and on October 20, the day his remains were transferred here, an important procession takes place during which his relics of the saint, to whom many miracles have been attributed, they are brought in the shade of a plane tree. It is a very suggestive event in which important religious authorities, faithful and tourists participate. The party ends with a rich banquet, with abundant food, wine, music and traditional dances. If you are on holiday in Kefalonia during one of these periods of the year, take part in a unique event of its kind.
How to get to the Monastery
The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos is located in the southern part of the island, on the Omalon plateau, near the villages of Fragata and Valsamata. It is easily accessible by car from the town of Argostoli, from which it is 11 km away, passing the Koutavos lagoon, you will have to turn right after 7km, on the road to Sami.
To complete the route we recommend you also visit the Agios Gerasimos Cave, located in the Lassi area, 3 km south of Argostoli. Inside, there is a chapel visited by pilgrims on the occasion of the feast of the saint.
Some curiosities
The cult of San Gerasimo is very much alive on the island of Kefalonia and not only .. New York City there is a church dedicated to San Gerasimo, founded by Kefalonia natives who emigrated to the United States at the beginning of the twentieth century.
In 1953, after the devastating earthquake that hit Kefalonia, there were many apparitions of San Gerasimo all over the island, believed to have comforted and treated the wounded trapped in the buildings.
The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos is the ideal destination for a journey of culture and spirituality. A magnificent place, surrounded by nature.
Opening time
8.0 - 13.00 and 16.00 - 20.00
8.1