Monastery Sagmata (Monastery of the Metamorphoseos of Sotiros)

At a plateau with an impressive view to the plain of Thebes, on the top of mount Ypation or Sagmation, is built the Monastery of the Metamorphoseos of Sotiros (Transfiguration of Christ) known as Monastery Sagmata, a name that is due either to the morphology of the mountain, which resembles a “sagma” (a saddle), or to the fact that its monks worked as saddle makers.

Its foundation dates from the 12th century, when osios Clement, leaving the Monastery of Osios Meletios at mount Kithairon, where he was initially a monk, settled at this area and became an ascetic in a cave. Together with his fellow ascetics they organized the monastic community, which according to tradition was benefited by emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118). For centuries the monastery was the intellectual centre of the area, but in the 19th century it fell into decline, however in the 1970s it was renovated and today it is a men’s monastery.

In the middle of the complex is the catholicon, which dates from the 12th century. it belongs to the architectural type of the complex cross-in-square church with a dome and on its western side there is a “liti”, a spacious narthex. In its interior the screen is a modern one, while the initial one, which was made of marble, was reconstructed and is exhibited. The floor is impressive, and consists of colored opus sectile and is decorated with geometrical shapes and excellent representations from the animal and the plant kingdom. At the sacristy they keep a cross with Holy Wood, which is considered a gift from emperor Alexios I Komnenos, while a prominent place is occupied by the sacred skull of osios Clement, which attracts lots of pilgrims. The complex also includes the refectory and fotannama (calefactorium) of the 12th century, as well as auxiliary buildings and cells, which date from the period of Turkish occupation. At the monastery there is a chapel dedicated to the modern Russian saint, Luka the Doctor (1877-1961).

The monastery celebrates on the 6th of August, on the 26th of January and the 1st of May, feast days of Osios Clement, and on the 14th of September.