Monastery of Simonos Petra is thirteenth in the hierarchy of the Athonite monasteries.

The monastery is located in the southern coast of the Athos peninsula, between the Athonite port of Dafni and Osiou Grigoriou monastery. The site upon which the monastery is built is exceptionally harsh. It is built on top of a single huge rock, practically hanging from a cliff 330 meters over the sea. 

The monastery is inhabited by 50 monks.

The monastery was founded during the 13th century by Simon the Athonite. Tradition holds that Simon, while dwelling in a nearby cave saw a dream in which the Theotokos instructed him to build a monastery on top of the rock, promising him that she would protect and provide for him and the monastery.

In 1364, the Serbian despot Jovan Ugljesa funded the renovation and expansion of the monastery. In 1581, Simonopetra was destroyed by a fire, in which a large portion of the monks died. The most important donor for monastery’s innovation was Michael the Brave, Prince of Wallachia, who donated large portions of land as well as money to the monastery. In later years the monastery was also burnt in 1626 and the last great fire happened in 1891, after which the monastery was rebuilt to its current form.  

The monastery consists of several multi-storied buildings, the main being in the place of the original structure, built by Simon. The main building has been described as the "most bold construction of the peninsula".

Treasures held within the monastery

The part of the left hand of St. Maria Magdalena, a part of the hand of Martyr Eudokia, a part of the hand of Martyr Barbara, the head of St. Paul, the relics of Martyr Panteleimonos, Martyr Paraskeva, Martyr Charalambos, blood of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki 

Miracle-working icons within the monastery

Assumption of the Theotokos is in icon painted in the 15^th century presumably in Northern Greece.

Our Lady Pantanassa is a gift of Metropolitan Athanasios painted in the XVIth century. Theotokos is depicted embracing the child.