⭐ 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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Church of Saint Phocas Church at Episkopi

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In a rural area of Episkopi, province Pediada, by Heraklion we meet the forgotten and unknown to almost everyone St Phocas (Agios Fokas). Agios Fokas is a ruined church that nowadays has turned into a pile of stones. Only a part of the south wall is preserved today and will soon collapse.

318 Holy fathers monastery at Kalo Chorafi

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Here was the former position of 318 Agii Pateres (318 Holy Fathers) seaside monastery. The monastery stopped operating after the increase of pirate raids in early Venetian years. there is only the chapel commemorating that.

Baptistery of Saint Paul at Agios Ioannis

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The Baptistery of St. Paul is located at the entrance of the village Agios Ioannis (St John), near Phaestus. According to tradition, when the Apostle Paul came to Crete and headed to the capital of the island (Gortyn) passed from the point where he taught Christianity for two days.

Gra Kera Monastery at Deliana

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The uninhabited Gra Kera monastery by Deliana is dedicated to the birth of Virgin Mary (Panagia). The name comes after Iera Kera i.e. Holy Lady. The monastery in 1632 became a dependency of the larger monastery of Gonia Odigitria at Kolimbari as mentioned in a document, so it was already operating.

Filagris Monastery at Lousoudi

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The ruined monastery of the Three Hierarchs is located at one of the most inhospitable areas of Crete, at position Lousoudi of the wild Asterousia Mountains. It was founded in the 14th century near the peak of Kofinas, at an altitude of 880m.

Agia Anastasia Cave at Galipe

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In the short gorge between Galipe and Kenourgio Horio villages, we find the small cavernous chapel of Agia Anastasia. It is one of the 265 cavernous chapels of Crete and one of the most interesting. It is surrounded by pines and cypresses of a small artificial grove. There is water leaking from the roof, therefore it is considered miraculous.

Saint George Harodias monastery at Perivolia

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Very close to Perivolia province, Chania, you will find the deserted and almost unknown monastery of Saint George Harodia. The monastery was built on 12th century by a local rich lord of Chania. The monastery operated as a men’s monastery till the mid of the 20th century, when it was abandoned. Today you will still find the monk cells and the church of Saint George.

Saint Onoufrios monastery at Voulismeni

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The church of St. Onoufrios is located on a hill near village Voulismeni and operated as a temple of a monastery in the 13th century. The church is single-nave vaulted temple that bears 13th-century frescoes with scenes from the Gospel (Resurrection of Lazarus, Entry into Jerusalem and Washbasin, several Saints etc).

Asceticism

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