Thassos Monastery of Archangel Michael

Location: Livadi

The Monastery of Archangel Michael in Thassos: The Monastery of Archangel Michael is located on the way to Alyki, about 25 km, south of Limenas. It is the biggest and the most popular monastery of Thassos and dates back to the 18th century. At first, it was a dependency of the Monastery of Philotheos on Mount Athos and in fact, many Monasteries of Athos owned properties on Thassos.

The monastery has preserved a collection of religious articles and works created by the monks. The most valuable of them is a part of the Holy Nail from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As part of religious celebration, every year, on the first Tuesday after Easter, the Monastery conducts a procession that starts at a small village of Theologos. During the procession, they carry the Holy Nail back to the convent.

The interesting feature of the Monastery of Archangel Michael, which is exclusively female, is that it is built on the edge of a cliff. Thus it gives a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea. The nuns are highly hospitable. The Monastery of Archangel Michael insists that the visitors dress up according to their rules that are long trousers for men and long skirts and tops with covered shoulders for women.