The Vatopedi Monastery, one of the oldest and most significant on Mount Athos, has a rich history that dates back centuries. According to tradition, its foundation is traced to the 4th century, though written sources date this period to 972-985. Vatopedi is located in the northeastern part of Mount Athos, south of the Hilandar Monastery. Its convenient harbor and spacious territory made it an ideal site for the construction of a monastery. In ancient times, the area was home to the city of Dion or Charadrion.
A legend surrounding the foundation of Vatopedi tells of the miraculous rescue of Emperor Theodosius the Great's son, Arcadius. During a sea voyage, he fell overboard but was found alive beneath a bush (the Greek word "vatos" means bush, and "pedi" means child), which is said to have inspired the name of the monastery. However, there is also an alternative version, which connects the name to a ruler named Vatos.
After the Arab invasion in 852, the monastery fell into neglect and was restored only in the 10th century. The first written mention of Vatopedi is from 985. By 996, the monastery had already attained one of the highest ranks in the Athonite hierarchy, and by 1046, it held the second place, a position it still maintains today.
From the 11th to the 13th centuries, Vatopedi underwent a revival thanks to generous donations from Greek and Serbian kings. Saint Sava of Serbia, after taking monastic vows in Nagorno-Rusik, soon joined the monastery and contributed to its expansion. He received a cell in the Milea region, which later became an independent monastery. These monasteries continue the tradition of visiting one another during their patronal feasts.
After devastating pirate raids, unionists, and Catalans caused its decline, Vatopedi was supported by the Palaiologos emperors, including Andronicus II, as evidenced by a preserved chrysobull.
The monastery briefly followed the strict monastic rule in 1541, but soon adopted the communal rule thanks to the support of Patriarch Sylvester of Alexandria. Later, it returned to the stricter rule until 1989, when it returned to the cenobitic rule, which is still in place today.
Vatopedi Monastery is built in the shape of a polygon, surrounded by powerful walls and towers resembling an ancient fortress. The northern wall stretches 200 meters in length. The inner courtyard contains the cathedral, refectory, holy water font, and many other buildings. The monastery’s structures belong to various periods, beginning from its foundation.
The main cathedral (katholikon), dating back to the 10th century, is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Over the centuries, the cathedral has undergone multiple reconstructions. The wooden iconostasis was made in 1788, and the mosaics date back to the Byzantine period. The frescoes in the cathedral are from the 14th century but were later updated in 1739 and 1819.
The monastery’s refectory, built in the 12th century, was painted in 1786. In the 19th century, it was used only once a year due to its status as an antiquity, but it is now again serving its original purpose. The font for the blessing of water is one of the largest on Mount Athos, decorated with two-tiered columns.
The monastery has 26 chapels, five of which are incorporated into the main cathedral. Some of the most famous include the chapels of the Holy Belt, the Holy Unmercenaries, and the church of the Icon of the Virgin Mary "Consolation and Comfort."
Vatopedi is renowned for its unique relics. It houses:
Additionally, the monastery contains the relics of many saints, including the head of Saint Gregory the Theologian, parts of the relics of Saint Catherine, Saint Andrew, the Protomartyr Stephen, and others. In the inner vestibule, to the right of the wall, there is a reliquary with the remains of the monastery’s founders: Nicholas, Athanasius, and Antony.
Among the monastery's icons, those of the Virgin Mary hold special significance: "Consolation and Comfort," "All-Holy Queen," "Altar-icon," "The Myrrh-streaming," and "The Pierced."
To visit Mount Athos, one must obtain a special visa—Diamonitirion—that allows access to its 20 monasteries. The visa can be obtained from the official representative office in Ouranoupolis by providing a copy of the passport and information about the travel dates and monasteries intended to be visited. Document verification occurs when boarding the boat.