13.52 Open letter from the Pantokrator Monastery
1766-1775
Pantokrator Monastery, Archives
Paper, 70.5 X 53 cm
The document is backed with white cloth.
A representation of the Transfiguration occupies the centre of the upper margin. On either side of this image is the imprint of the seal of the Pantokrator Monastery.
In an open letter addressed to all Orthodox Christians, lay and cleric alike, the brotherhood of the Pantokrator Monastery describes the financial distress of their foundation. Constant severe taxation, recent renovations to various structures in need of repair and excessive interest payments to creditors have resulted in a heavy load of debt, which indeed will only increase, for there are more buildings to be repaired and a new water-supply system to be built, the old aqueduct no longer sufficing for current requirements.
For all these reasons the foundation's confessor Father Gabriel and an escort are being sent out to canvas Christian communities for donations, bearing with them for the benediction of the faithful certain relics of Saints Prokopios, Panteleimon, Tryphon and Anastasia Pharmakolytria. The faithful are begged to help the Monastery confront this exigency.