Church of Saint John Baptist at Kefali
Saint John the Baptist has a special place among the male saints honored in Crete, therefore there are many temples honored in his name. Specifically, Saint John is the second series honored saint after Saint George. On August 29, the Church celebrates the Decapitation of St. John the Baptist. Saint John during this day is called rigologos (causing shivering) due to the belief that whoever does not fasten during this day feels shivering.
One of the many churches that are devoted to Saint John, but remain unknown is located on the road connecting the villages Episkopi and Kefali. Agios Ioannis (Saint John) stands right on the edge of the road and at first glance seems to have the appearance of a modern church. But the interior suggests that the initial church was actually very old, built probably in the late Byzantine era. At the base of the south wall, we still see parts of frescoes that once adorned the temple. Over time the church collapsed, but in 1968 the church was restored and covered with a roof. In the same year, the unknown church was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.
On the temple walls see still see some holes, serving as ceramic speakers, for improving sound effects inside the temple.
