On the afternoon of Tuesday, 2 September 2026, the historic Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Arkadi hosted the opening of an exhibition featuring the emblematic painting by the great Russian artist Ivan Aivazovsky, entitled “The Blowing Up of Arkadi Monastery”, which is housed at the Nafplio Branch of the National Gallery – Alexandros Soutsos Museum.

The exhibition of this important work at the historic site of Arkadi itself is a particularly significant cultural event, as the celebrated painting is being presented for the first time in the actual place that inspired its historical subject.

The event was coordinated by Archimandrite Theologos Papalevyzakis, a member of the governing council of the Holy Monastery of Arkadi, and was attended by leading representatives of the authorities of Rethymno and the security forces, representatives of the University, as well as figures from the worlds of letters and culture.

The keynote speaker was Lambrini Karakourti-Orfanopoulou, art historian, curator and head of the Nafplio Branch of the National Gallery – Alexandros Soutsos Museum. She spoke about the importance and artistic value of the work, while also highlighting the significance of its presence within the Holy Monastery of Arkadi itself.

In his closing address, before the opening of the exhibition, Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos expressed his warm thanks to the Organising Committee, the National Gallery and Lambrini Karakourti-Orfanopoulou for accepting the request to bring the painting, for the first time, to its natural and actual setting, the Holy Monastery of Arkadi. He noted that Arkadi, through the centuries, will never cease to inspire every sensitive soul and every struggle for freedom.

Following this, Metropolitan Prodromos, together with the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Arkadi, Archimandrite Titos Vamvakas, presented commemorative and anniversary gifts.

At the conclusion of this solemn event, the painting was presented in the Gallery of the Holy Monastery, where all those present had the opportunity to admire this important work up close and expressed their admiration for its artistic and spiritual value.

The painting “The Blowing Up of Arkadi Monastery” will remain at the Holy Monastery of Arkadi for three months. The Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos invites all visitors with an interest in culture and the arts to visit the Holy Monastery and enjoy the unique opportunity to admire this emblematic work in the very place connected with its historical subject.