Monastery of the Holy Cross

The Holy Monastery of the Holy Cross, near Mavratzaioi, was founded in 1592 by the monk Neilos the Latrinos and is one of Samos’s most important monastic centers. The present church, a three‑aisled basilica with a dome, was erected in 1838 and is distinguished by its elaborate carved wooden iconostasis (1854), gilded pulpit and 19th‑century bishop’s throne. Inside are noteworthy frescoes, a marble floor with the double‑headed eagle and relics, including a fragment of the True Cross. The monastery has an important library with manuscripts and early printed books, while in the courtyard the bell tower and a marble fountain bearing the double‑headed eagle stand out. It celebrates on 14 September, the 3rd Sunday of Lent and Holy Wednesday, when the re‑enactment of the Washing of the Feet is held.