The Monastery of Xenofontos lies in a breath-taking area by the sea, in the western side of the peninsula, only twenty minutes away from the Monastery of Doheiariou. It was founded in 998. The monk Xenophon served as the first abbot, after whom the Monastery was named. The Monastery went through major disasters due to the invasions of Latin and Catalan pirates, however it managed to overcome these disasters and to recover, leading a remarkable course after all. In 1784, the Monastery became communal by the sigillum of Patriarch Gabriel the Fourth, and operates up to date in this communal structure.
In the end of the 18th century, repairs and expansions took place, giving to the Monastery the form it holds today. The Monastery has two Katholika (primary churches), which honour Saint George; it is quite characteristic that the older Katholikon is one of the smallest in the Mount Athos, having a narthex (an antechamber), which is adapted on the eastern side of the Trapeza (Refectory). The frescoes of the main churh are of major interest, being works of the Cretan painter Antonios, dated approximately in 1544. The newest Katholikon was founded by Filotheos in 1817, the construction of which lasted twenty years. The miraculous icon of Theotokos Odigitria is a monument, which adorns the Monastery. Another famous, historical belonging of the Monastery is the iama, the miraculous water that spurted in the sand of the beach, which is referred during the times of the Russian monk Vasileios Mparski.
The Monastery has auxiliary buildings, such as the Skete of the Annunciation of Theotokos (Virgin Mary), the Cells of Saint Tryfon and Saint Nektarios, the delegation in Karyes of Saint Andrew and four Kathismata (small buildings, such as the Caves belonging to a Monastery). As referred, in the Monastery live approximately 100 monks and novices (as from 2001).
During the last decades, Elder and Abbot Archimandrite Alexios guides and supports all efforts in restoring the buildings of the Monastery, in order to have the spiritual offerings continued. In this respect the monks are quite active in iconograpgy and carpentry.