The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos en Vounenoi is located in the valley of the river Achla, below Vourkoti. The area is called “Hours” because the lords and sailors of Andros watched the sequence of the Great and Royal Hours there. Tradition says that the monastery was created in the 11th century. Remote and protected, it becomes suitable to function as a branch of the Friendly Society and within it operated a secret school, printing house, and bookbinding.
With an excellent architectural layout, the Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos consists of a set of buildings resulting from works of 1540 and repairs of 1760. 20 chapels “are protected within its walls and so many others are scattered throughout the island. The iconostasis of the Monastery is unique while The Holy Table springs holy water to this day. The katholikon is cruciform inscribed with a dome decorated with frescoes and a magnificent wood-carved iconostasis. The monastery celebrates on May 9, December 6, and July 20.
Access is from the road of Vourkoti with a passable dirt road to the Monastery.
Heirlooms at the Holy Monastery of Agios Nikolaos
Invaluable relics and sacred relics are housed in the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos. Since the 16th century, after being transferred from the church of Panagia ton Vlachernon in Constantinople, the sacred icon of Panagia Myrovlytissa is kept. A remarkable heirloom is the silver-embroidered icon of Agios Nikolaos. Using gemstones as materials and instead of threading hairs from her hair, the nun Leontia created the image.
Also important are the holy relics of Agios Nikolaos the Hierarch and the Holy Cross of Agios Nikolaos the Younger. The jaw of Agios Kosmas of Etolos and the hand of Agia Makrini, sister of St. Basil. In the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos in Andros are also kept part of the chariot of Saint Joseph of Arimathea, the body of Christ. The thigh of Saint James the Great Martyr of Persia and many other relics.
