A Skete (from the Greek word σκήτη), is a monastic community in Eastern Christianity that allows relative isolation for monks, but also allows for communal services and the safety of shared resources and protection. It is one of four early monastic orders along with the eremitic, lavritic and coenobitic that became popular during the early formation of the Christian Church.
Skete communities usually consist of a number of small cells or caves that act as the living quarters with a centralized church or chapel. These communities are thought of as a bridge between strict hermetic lifestyle and communal lifestyles since it was a blend of the two. These communities were a direct response to the ascetic lifestyle that early Christians aspired to live. Skete communities were often a bridge to a stricter form of hermitage or to martyrdom.
The administrator of each Skete is called “Fair”, and he is elected every year usually on 8 May by the “elders” of the Skete. The resident monks are involved in agricultural and stock raising as well as with hagiography, woodcarving, byzantine music etc. In Greece, the most important Sketes are in Mount Athos.
- New Skete
- The Skete of Saint Anne, Major
- The Skete of Saint Anne, Minor
- The Skete of the Holy Trinity – Kavsokalivia
- The Skete of Saint Demetrius
- The Skete of Saint Andrew
- The Skete of Saint John the Baptist
- The Skete of Saint John the Baptist (Iviron Monastery)
- The Skete of Saint Panteleimon
- The Skete of Saint Demetrius of Lakkoskete
- The Skete of Annunciation of the Mother of God
- The Skete of Bogoroditsa
- The Coenobitic Skete of Prophet Elijah
- Katounakia
- Karoulia
- The Skete of Saint Basil
