As already intimated, the monastery was autonomous ([Greek; autodespotos, autexousios]), and its abbot was elected by the brotherhood in the following manner:--On some suitable occasion the abbot for the time being placed secretly in a box the names of three members of the fraternity whom he considered fit to succeed him after his death, and having sealed the box deposited it in the sacristy of the church. Upon that abbot's death the box was opened in the presence of the whole fraternity, and the names recommended by the late chief were then put to the vote. If the votes were unanimous the person thus chosen became the new abbot without further delay. But in case of disagreement, a brother who could neither read nor write placed the same names upon the altar of the church; there they remained for three days; and then, after the celebration of a solemn service, another illiterate monk drew one name off the altar, and in doing so decided the question who should fill the vacant office. The church was served by eighty priests and fifty assistants, who were divided into two sets, officiating on alternate weeks. In connection with the monastery there was a bath, capable of containing six persons, in which the monks were required to bathe twice a month, except during Lent, when the bath was used only in cases of illness. The home for old men supported by the House accommodated twenty-four persons, providing them with bread, wine, oil, cheese, fuel, medical attendance, and small gifts of money. The hospital had fifty beds for the poor. It was divided into five wards: a ward of ten beds for surgical cases; another, of eight beds, for grave cases; a third, of ten beds, for less serious complaints; the fourth ward had twelve beds for women; the fifth contained ten beds for what seemed light cases. Each ward was in charge of two physicians, three medical assistants, and four servitors. A lady physician, six lady medical assistants, and two female nurses, took charge of the female patients. The sick were visited daily by a house doctor, who inquired whether they were satisfied with their treatment, examined their diet, and saw to the cleanliness of the beds. The ordinary diet consisted of bread, beans, onions, oil, and wine.[407] Throughout their history the monasteries of Constantinople remembered the poor. (See Plate III.) [Illustration: FIG. 77.] [Illustration: FIGS. 78 AND 79.] [Illustration: FIG. 80.] [Illustration: PLATE LXIX. S. SAVIOUR PANTOKRATOR. THE EAST END, FROM THE SOUTH.] [Illustration: S. SAVIOUR PANTOKRATOR. THE EAST WINDOW OF THE CENTRAL CHURCH.] [Illustration: S. SAVIOUR PANTOKRATOR. THE EAST END, FROM THE NORTH. _To face page 242._] [358] _De top. C.P._ iv. c. 2, p. 283, 'in supercilio quarti collis vergente ad solis ortum visitur templum Pantocratoris, illustre memoria recentium scriptorum.' [359] _Tagebuch_, p. 157. [360] _Itin. russes_, pp. 105, 233-34.