Mount Athos is a self-governed peninsula in Greece that is home to 20 main monasteries and the capital city of Karyes. The monasteries include Panagia Chalkeon in Thessaloniki, known as the "Red Church" due to its deep red bricks, and Agii Apostolic Church in Athens, which features a Greek cross plan and dome. Agios Stefanos Monastery in Meteora contains two katholikons, or main churches, the older one from 1545 containing frescoes and the newer one from 1798 currently being frescoed, and a 15th century refectory with a fresco of the Virgin Mary.

1. Mount Athos, Greece
Politically, the peninsula is essentially self-governed. It consists of 20 main monasteries plus the capital
city and administrative centre, Karyes, which is also home to a Greek governor. The 20 sovereign
monasteries, in the order of their place in the hierarchy, are:
In addition to the monasteries there are 12 sketes, smaller communities of monks, as well as many
(solitary) hermitages throughout the peninsula
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Panagia Chalkeon, Thessaloniki
The Panagia Chalkeon has a classic Byzantine cross-in-square plan with three apses on the east end
and a narthex on the west end. It is constructed of deep red bricks that have given it a local nickname of
"Red Church." It has a rather charming appearance due to its small size and sunken position below
modern street level.
Agii Apostolic Church, Athens
The church is built on the plan of a Greek cross (a cross with equal arms), with a narthex on the west
side. Each arm ends in a semi-circular niche (or apse) and smaller niches are placed on either side of
each apse. A dome rests on four pillars in the central crossing; it is the oldest example of the "Athenian
type" of Byzantine dome in the city.
The church contributed to the development of Byzantine architecture by its successful combination of a
central plan with a cross-in-square design.
Agios Stefanos Monastery, Meteora
The old katholikon, which was rebuilt in 1545 and frescoed shortly thereafter, still stands. The new
katholikon of Agiou Stefanou was built in 1798 and is currently being frescoed by a modern artist. It is
dedicated to the martyred St. Charalambos, whose head it contains.
The refectory (15th century) has a surviving fresco of the Virgin in the apse. The monastery contains a
small museum of vestments and other religious objects and the nuns sell handmade embroideries and
other trinkets.