Mary of Egypt Church at Samaria
The small single-nave arched temple of Mary of Egypt is located in the Samaria deserted settlement, inside the imposing gorge of Samaria, accessed by a short path. According to one option, the name of the Samaria Canyon derives from the corruption of the name of Osia Maria (Saint Mary). The church celebrates on April 1st, when several mountaineering clubs of Crete participate in the festival.
Its interior is covered with frescoes from the first half of the 14th century, which is a work of folk-style hagiographer. The iconographic program includes scenes from the Evangelical cycle (Betrayal, Transfiguration, Ascension, Stone (Lithos), Descent to Hades, Crucifixion, Birth, Escape to Egypt, Mystical Dinner, Lazarus Rising, Repentance), horse-riding saints and other saints in lower zones and Mary of Egypt and Saint Zosimas of Palestine in the desert.
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