It was built in 963 A.D. It is the first, largest and most important monastery of Mount Athos. It was founded by Athanasius Athonites with the support of the Emperor Nikiforos Phokas. It was here that the new architectural style of the church was discovered and was called ''Athonite''.

 

The monastery keeps 2050 manuscripts, more than 30,000 printed books, has about 80 monks and celebrates on 18 July (Julian Calendar).