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The Mathas Family and its Relations with the Patmos monastery of Saint John the Theologian during the 17th Century

Articles

• Στεφανίδου, Αλεξάνδρα Στ.
• ΣΤΕΦΑΝΙΔΟΥ, Αλεξάνδρα

Achitectural monuments both inside and outside the Monastery of Saint John, dating from 1540 to 1700, as well as the icons associated with them, bear witness to a period of growth and prosperity for the monastery specifically and the island of Patmos generally. The Mathas family was active during this period. This study of their donations is based on documents in the Archives of the Patmos Monastery of Saint John and of the Catholic Archdiocese on Santorini. Members of the family are originally reported on Patmos: Costas Mathas, Nikolaos and Pothitos Mathas, as well as Germanos Mathas are all connected with the Patmos Monastery. From the mid-17th century members of the family were resident on Santorini, where there are three dependencies (metochia) of the Patmos Monastery. Specifically, in 1656 Irene Mathas prepared the marriage contract between her son Nikolaos and Margarita Sigalas of Santorini. The family's affluence was based on their extensive land property on Patmos and Santorini, as well as on capital in the Venice mint (zecca). Its members were engaged in various lucrative activities: shipping, economic transactions with the Patmos Monastery and moneylending. They founded churches on Patmos and Santorini, and sponsored the renovation of the Monastery of Saint John. The reasons for their interest in building and cultural activities as donors are diverse, including the desire to serve their Church, concern for their spiritual salvation and commemoration, and fear of death. Early Christian Representations and Themes Imitating Secular Painting in a Grave Complex in the West Cemetery, Thessaloniki.

• Arts
• History and Archaeology

• Θρησκεία
• Ιστορία

• http://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/deltion/article/view/4769
• http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/dchae.1181