⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

The arrival of Saint John the Hermit in Crete of the Early Christian Times was the beginning of a great ascetic tradition that continues to the present day. Hundreds of hermits secluded in the most remote parts of the island, forming ascetic communities that later evolved to thriving monasteries. Hundreds of countryside monasteries, most of which don't operate today, are dispersed throughout the island.

A special sample of hermitage is the Monastery Katholiko at Akrotiri Cape in the caves of which hermits lived their monastic life away, from worldly pleasures. Equally important were the religious sites of the secluded peninsulas Gramvousa and Rodopos, where several small monasteries developed.

The greatest hermitage of all was the naturally isolated, and impassable range of Asterousia in southern Heraklion. Hundreds of caves from Saint Nikitas to Cape Lithino still host hermits. Relations between them were so limited that in Agiofarago and Martsalo they gathered only once a year, in cave Goumenospilio and counted how many of them survived each year.

In eastern Crete, the north province of Mirabello is the largest field of asceticism with dozens of small monastic establishments. Here hermits built small monasteries, where they usually lived alone.

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Saint Eleftherios monastery at Mournies

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The abandoned monastery of Agios Eleftherios at Mournies is a dependency of Chrysopigi monastery and is located near the General Hospital of Chania, among olive groves, houses and a school. Here was baptized the most important modern Greek politician, Eleftherios Venizelos.

Panagia Kardiotissa monastery, Vori

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A short distance north of the village Vori there was the monastery of Panagia Kardiotissa, a dependence of Varsamonero monastery. Today the double-nave vaulted church with wall paintings in the south aisle survives. The north wall still hosts an arcosolium.

Early Christian Basilica of Elounda

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The Early Christian Basilica of Olous (built around 4-5th century AD) is located at position Poros and was excavated in 1937 and 1960. This is a brilliant sample of religious architecture of its time and it is considered to have been the cathedral of the ancient town Olous, which is today submerged in the lagoon of Elounda.

Church of Saint Marina at Ravdoucha

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On the main road leading from the village Ravdoucha to the beach, we meet the Byzantine church of Agia Marina with spectacular sea views, built in a rock recess. The church bears frescoes that have suffered considerable damage. As in many churches of the peninsula Rodopou, so here too we see engravings of the travelers of the era.

Almirida Early Christian Basilica

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Very close to the main beach of Almirida, Apokoronas, province, we meet the aisled basilica of the second half of the 6th century with a mosaic floor, the foundations of the altar and some pillar capitals. It belongs to the basilica with a transept and a narthex.

Panagia Deligara church at Ligaria

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The monastery of Panagia Deligara, Ligaria or Ligariotissa operated at the site that we meet today the church of Panagia (Our Lady) near Ligaria Beach. The monastery is mentioned in a document of 1610 as Panagia Deligara.

Church of Saint George in Agia Triada

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The church of Agios Georgios by the village Agia Triada dates back to the Byzantine era and bears frescoes dating back from the 13th to 14th century.

Church of Saint George at Kournas

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The church of Saint George at Kournas is one of the most important surviving Byzantine Monuments of Crete. It is built in a prominent position with panoramic views of the sea and probably operated as a monastery, and there are some traces of monk cells.

Asceticism

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