CHAPTER XXVI.

The Monastery of Stavroniketa--The Library--Splendid MS. of St. Chrysostom--The Monastery of Pantocratoras--Ruinous Condition of the Library--Complete Destruction of the Books--Disappointment--Oration to the Monks--The Great Monastery of Vatopede--Its History--Ancient Pictures in the Church--Legend of the Girdle of the Blessed Virgin--The Library--Wealth and Luxury of the Monks--The Monastery of Sphigmenou--Beautiful Jewelled Cross--The Monastery of Kiliantari--Magnificent MS. in Gold Letters on White Vellum--The Monasteries of Zographou, Castamoneta, Docheirou, and Xenophou--The Exiled Bishops--The Library--Very fine MSS.--Proposals for their Purchase--Lengthened Negotiations--Their successful Issue 391