Μονή Λαζαριστών (Καθολική Εκκλησία Αποστόλου Παύλου)

The Catholic Monastery of St. Paul in Kavala or the Monastery of Lazariston of St. Vincent paul of the Catholic Church of Kavala (6 Kyprou Street), was built between 1888–1892, to serve the pastoral needs of the then Catholics who lived among the Orthodox Christians, Jews and Muslims.  

At the point where the monastery is located today, it was a plot of land of Baron Frederick Charnaud, who gave it to the Monastery. On October 13, 1899, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of the monastery, which was completed on July 30, 1900. On February 3, 1902, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of the school just behind the monastery, which was completed on July 11, 1902. This school functioned not only as a school but also as a regular school for the attendance of children from various european countries, whose families found themselves in Kavala because of the trade that focused mainly on tobacco.  

The founder of the Order of the Lazarists was Saint Vincent, whose statue is on the façade of the building. At the same time, the Lazarists, with their religious services, also taught French to the people of Kavala. In 1916 it was used as a French Consulate. The first priestly consul of France was Etienne Jouglax and the last was Edmond Voutsinus who came from Syros. He remained in Kavala as a chaplain until his death. One of the most important moments as the French Consulate in Kavala was the National Day of France with the fall of the Bastille on July 14, during which the priest Voutsinos in his capacity as vice consul of the country hosted a reception in honor of the city's authorities. During the Second World War, the Lazarists remained in Kavala and offered every possible assistance to the inhabitants of the city and in some cases even in their own way they contributed to the liberation struggle.

The building of the monastery presents mixed architectural elements with Ottoman neoclassical influence. In the exterior area of the monastery there is a beautiful garden in which dominates the statue of Panagia ton Rosary in a stone niche. At the main entrance that leads to the courtyard of the monastery rises the statue of the founder of the Monastic Order of Ag. Vincent of Paul. The corridor of the second floor of the monastery that leads to the dormitories of the monks and the library. Impressive is the view of Kavala from the attic of the building that has been converted into a living room for the hospitality of visitors. The Holy Tribune to the left of the main church where there is the icon of Ag. Lydias while in front of it is the marble font for the mystery of Baptism. To the right of the nave there is another Holy Tribune on the Altar of which the tabernad is kept and there is also the statue of Ag. Joseph with the little Jesus in his arms. Impressive, however, are the two other statues that are located within the Church of Ag. Theresa (Teresa) and Arch. Gabriel. 

Today it belongs to the Apostolic Vikariatos of Thessaloniki whose bishop is the Catholic bishop of Corfu, Mr. Ioannis Spiteris. It serves as a Church the Catholics of Kavala, Drama and Xanthi and a Divine Liturgy is celebrated two Sundays a month at 10:00.

• Kuprou 6, Kavala 65403
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