Hieromonk Ephraim at Keli of St. Artemios

The Keli of St. Artemios is located in Provata, in an area extending from the Holy Monastery of Karakallos to Morphonos, at an altitude ranging from 80 to 200 meters, with cultivated estates and large manned cells. In 1772 the area was called the Great Sheep of Sheep and numbered 36 cells. It now numbers about 10, and among them by 1976 the presence of St. Artemios was most impressive.

The year 1967 can be considered important for the modern story of Kelli because Hieromonk Ephraim buys it this year from the two remaining Russian monks and settles there with ten monks. Hieromonk Ephraim gives life to the old glamor of Kelli as his reputation was widespread and the many pilgrims visited by Kelli. Soon the number of fathers increased and in 1972 the attendance numbered twenty-four fathers.

Photo: Hieromonk Ephraim