Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Ραφαήλ Μυτιλήνης

Definitely one of the best monasteries I have visited in Greece . It's beautiful and historic.

Very tranquil and humbling experience.

Orthodox Christians feel it's one of the holiest places to visit. It's good to know the story of the three saints before you arrive. Saint Rafael'tomb is on the first floor while the tomb of the other two on the ground floor. There is a shop to buy souvenirs and the most kind sister nun in Christ ive met to help you. May God bless those who truly believe in His name. No line of waiting when we visited (middle of June) It's not always like that.

For over two decades, I have been visiting the Monastery of St. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene in Mytilene, and it has become a sacred tradition for me. Each time I return to Greece from Australia, I make a vow to visit this serene place, to pay my respects and express my gratitude for the countless blessings I’ve received. Perched on a mountain, the monastery offers an unparalleled sense of peace, with its fresh air and breathtaking surroundings. Every visit feels like a renewal of spirit, and I always leave with a profound sense of strength and calm. The nuns here are incredibly warm, their presence alone bringing a deep sense of serenity and faith. There is something indescribably special about this place. It’s more than a religious site; it’s a refuge where I feel deeply connected, both spiritually and emotionally. I am forever grateful for the blessings I’ve experienced, and I know I will continue to return for as long as I am able.

Beautiful monastery. Excellent experience.

Beautiful place. Well kept by the nuns. Bravo. Such a blessed and calm place.

The shocking history, the beauty of the Monastery. A very special place to visit. I come every time I'm on the island to say a few prayers at the tombs of Raphael Nicholas and Irene.

Beautiful monastery with lots of history. This monastery is roughly a 35 min drive from Mitylene. The drive is very picturesque as you are on a hill and surrounded by greenery as well as the sea. The monastery itself is beautifully built and I would strongly suggest taking the time to read and hear the history of the saints that the monastery is built in memory of.

This is an important Greek orthodox Church, with the remains of important Saint visible. There are bathrooms here, small shops outside that sell religious icons, bracelets, etc. The trip here from mytilini is short, however the trip up the hill can be a pain if there is a lot of traffic, so come early or take the bus,especially if it's a holiday.

Greek orthodox nunnery, dedicated to Saints Rafael and Nicholas and Saint Irene, a twelve old girl, all of them martyred in AD 1463. The monastery complex is fairly recent, being built only in 1964. Since then, it experienced a huge boost on visitors, almost competing with the popularity of the Tinos island church of the Virgin. It is very difficult to review a place of worship, more so if it can't be argued that it's of any artistic value. Can one possess a clear, non prejudiced judgement on matters of faith? I believe one cannot. There are people here who complain justly about commercialisation. True, one can see and feel that. Too many souvenirs stands I guess... For me it was a place of peace, calmness and, while I am not very religious, it was for me a portal to communicate with God. One cannot but be affected by the human pain noticed there: in the modest tomb of little Irene, in the pitiful site of her horrible, undeserved martyrdom and mainly in the faces of the sick or tortured people and in those faces of their relatives, who come seeking resolution and help when everything else fails. But yet, it isn't just a gloomy place, it's also a place of hope. You can see it at the diplomas brought there from students, in the now unneeded crutches left in the church, in the numerous votive offers of people being cured and grateful. Each one of us sees and experiences what he needs to see and experience. For me this is a good place.