⭐ 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.

Show Map

Church of Saint George at Episkopi

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (2 Votes)

At the centre of Ierapetra plain we meet the village of Episkopi (i.e. diocese). Its name is due to the fact that during the Byzantine period it was the seat of a bishop. Almost in the center of the village we find the impressive church of Agios Georgios and Agios Charalambos.

Saint George church at Anidri

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (2 Votes)

The cemeterial church of Saint George at Anidri is a double-aisled church that was originally single-aisled and a second (south) aisle of Saint Nicholas was added later. Inside there are preserved frescoes of Ioannis Pagomenos dating back from from 1323.

Saint George monastery at Kolimbari

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (3 Votes)

When the Mediterranean suffered from the raids of the pirates, the monks of the seaside monastery of Saint George at Menies decided to migrate to a more secure location. Thus they chose the site where we meet today the scenic cemeterial church of the Monastery of Gonia Odigitrias, dedicated to St. George (14th century).

Church of Panagia at Kapetaniana

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (2 Votes)

Kapetaniana village is located on the site of the former Monastery of the “Lord Have Mercy”, one of the most important centers in Crete for monasticism where arts and culture flourished. During the Ottoman Era the monastery was abandoned.

Agia Paraskevi monastery by Vrondas

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.33 (3 Votes)

Within walking distance from Vrondas ancient site, there is the old monastery of Aghia Paraskevi, where one of the few arcosolium (domed tombs) of Crete survives.

Saint George Mormoris Monastery

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (2 Votes)

The ruined monastery of St. George Mormoris is located near the village Nerokourou, by Chania and dates from 1637 (and earlier). The monastery, which once possessed a great fortune, is a dependency of Gouverneto monastery and has been declared a protected monument.

Agios Nikolaos Dominican Monastery

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (2 Votes)

The grand Temple of the monks of the Dominican Order in Chania was built in about 1320 by the fraternity of Candia. Its architecture resembles the one of the Central Temple of Aghios Petros. The original monastery, as portrayed in old maps, images and descriptions, consisted of the temple with a high bell-tower and a two-floor arcade on the north side. The church was a basilica with a central aisle.

Saint John at Platanakia

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.33 (3 Votes)

The church of Saint John the Forerunner is located just outside the village of Stylos (Apokoronas province) at position Platanakia. It is one-aisled church built in 1898 and celebrating on August 29 (a big fest takes place then). Around the church there are many plane trees which offer shade to visitors and there are benches and tables making the place ideal for picnics.

Asceticism

Also read: