When the Saracens overran Palestine, Christodoulos (later of Patmos) fled and came to the peaceful mountain in Asia called Latros, led by its ancient reputation, as most of the fathers who once lived in Raithou and Sinai fled there. Christodoulos, with the support of Kosmas I, patriarch of Constantinople, founded a spritual community on Mt Latros and became its protos, chosen by Kosmas. It gained a high reputation as an ideal coenobitic community and lavra