In its peak years the monastery had several institutions and numbered 700 monks . The monastery of Christ Pantocrator was under the direct authority of the Byzantine Emperors. This large monastic complex with the 700 monks was famous for its ecclesiastical objects, as well as for its litanies and processions. The miniature illustration depicts the Emperor John I Tzimisces celebrating a triumph in Constantinople. 72b, 12th century, Madrid, National Library.
Acolytes open the procession.
Three deacons carrying towels in their hands close the procession. The monastic complex was built on a hill, to the right of the modern large avenue leading from the Golden Horn to the Aqueduct of Valens. Prior to the building operations, the hill was levelled and some buttressing up was made at the slopes. A retaining wall with twelve blind arches has survived to this day on the east side. Ruins of the walled enclosure and particularly, of the hospices for the poor and the ailing can still be seen over the wide area occupied by the old monastic complex-now known as Zeyrek Camii.