St. Dimitrios Choir – Lacu Skete

According to an oral tradition, the foundation of Lacu Skete dates back to the 10th century. Others claim that there was a monastic settlement here as early as the 8th century. And this period is linked to the icon of Our Lady "Antiphonitria of Lacu," from the 8th century, which is in the Monastery of St. Paul and which, apparently, was taken from this monastic settlement in the valley of the Lake.

In the first half of the 14th century the region was ceded by the Protaton Community to Serbian monks, who borrowed money from the Vatopedi Monastery to build their cells here. Later, however, being unable to return the loan, the Serbs handed the region over to the Vatopedi Monastery. The latter, in their turn, taking into account the disadvantages issuing from the Skete’s distance from the monastery, offered it to St Paul’s Monastery, receiving in exchange the Provlaka metochion.

The presence of the Serbs is attested by the following inscription in Slavonic: “Remember, Lord, the founder John the Hieromonk and his parents, 1606”, which is in St. Nicholas Cell – considered the oldest cell in the monastery. Already in mid-18th century, the skete was inhabited by Moldavian monks. The skete was deserted for some time and was restored by the Moldovan monk Daniil (1760). Since then, Lacu Skete has been inhabited by Romanian monks. The cells are scattered on both sides of the valley, which is full of vegetation.

The Kiriakon (big church) of the Skete, dedicated to Saint Dimitrios, which lies deep in the valley, on the Northern slope, was built in 1899 in the Athonite style, on the site of another wooden church, dedicated to the same Saint. The pronave was added in 1903. The inside of the church is very similar to the inside of Saint Paul Monastery, on which the skete depends. The pronave is not separated from the nave through a wall but through two proskinitaria, one for the Savior and one for the Theotokos. The ikonostasis is made out of white and grey marble, just like in Saint Paul’s Monastery.

The little church from the cemetery, which is dedicated to the Holy Protection, was built by the Moldavian monk Jacob in 1849.

Many Romanian monks have led an ascetic life here, some of whom reached great spiritual heights. Although the living conditions have been very difficult over the centuries, the number of monks who left their worldly and earthly homeland and were forced to live here was quite large. After a period of decline due to the lack of dwellers, in recent times, from 1922 on, through the efforts of some devoted monks, St. Dimitrie - Lacu Skete has been revived.

Today the Lacu Skete is experiencing a period of spiritual and material flourishing. The church, the accommodation facilities, the cemetery church and the old ruined chapels were repaired. The skete now has 17 cells. The spiritual life and cultural activity, as well as the beautiful services celebrated according to the Hagiorite typikon, attract worshippers thirsty for the pure springs of Orthodoxy.