The Last Monk of Strofades: Robert McCabe

The tiny windswept island of Stamfani, tucked in a tranquil corner of the Ionian Sea amid the Strofades cluster, is smaller than most airstrips. And yet, it hosts a monumental challenge.  Dominating the landscape is a castle-monastery founded by a Byzantine emperor. A self-sufficient monastic community flourished here for centuries. Within its walls, a fortified church –unique in the Orthodox world – that once protected islanders from ruthless pirates, Turks and Algerians. But today, ravaged by two earthquakes, the monastery hovers in critical condition. The next one could wipe it out completely. Globally-renowned snapper Robert McCabe and researcher Katerina Lymperopoulou shed light on the plight of this archeological treasure with an exhibition of photography that brings to life the island and its issues. The exhibition pays tribute to the last monk of the Strofades, who maintained the complex for almost 38 years and was a compelling but lonely voice for its restoration. View the works on-line free at the Benaki website until mid June. Then, Athens’ museums re-awaken and you can experience it IRL. Remember what that was like?