Its medieval history under Byzantine and Latin rule is obscure . The monastery gained prominence only from about 1354 , when it served as the residence of the Orthodox Metropolitan of Patras , since the city was still occupied by the Latins and the seat of a Latin archbishopric . The complex suffered large-scale destructions in 849 , 1400 , and 1640 , when it was comprehensively rebuilt . Several of the monks became members of the '' Filiki Etaireia '' and took part in the Greek War of Independence . In 1934 , the '' katholikon '' was destroyed in a fire , and replaced by a new church in 1937 . On 8 December 1943 , the German 117th Jäger Division destroyed the monastery and executed 22 monks and visitors as part of reprisals that culminated a few days later with the Massacre of Kalavryta . The monastery was rebuilt from the ground after the war , and now comprises an eight-storey complex set in the high cliff face . A male monastery , it celebrates on 15 August ( the day of the Dormition ) , 14 September , and 18 October ( Luke the Evangelist and the '' ktetors '' )
Massacre of Kalavryta
Massacre of Kalavryta
Mega Spilaio