The Church of Protatou, the oldest church on Mount Athos, is a three-aisled basilica, square in shape when viewed from above, with a raised middle roof. It was built approximately halfway through the 10th century by Ossios Athanasios the Athonite and was renovated at the start of the 14th century, during which time the renowned Thessalonian religious painter, Manuel Panselinos, painted religious themes on the church’s walls. In the sanctuary lays the miraculous icon of Virgin “Axion Esti”, the Virgin Mary of Mount Athos. At the library there are 117 codes and lots of valuable printed books. Here is kept the first Typiko (religious script) of Mount Athos, written on goat leather and signed by the Emperor Ioannis Tsimiskis. The church is dedicated to the Assumption of the Mother of God and celebrates on 15 August each year.