The Cretan Tradition of

Asceticism

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 John Church at Roukani

The church of St. John is located at a wooded location amid oaks near the village Roukani and is one of the most historical Byzantine monuments of Crete. The church dates back from the 11th-12th century and possibly operated as a monastery dedicated to St. John the Theologian. Today the church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

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Church of Saint Onoufrios at Komitades

It is located very close to the road and south of the village in a remote place with many caves. The small church is at the starting point of a small ravine that ends at a steep beach. The colors on the walls are white with some touches of blue in some places reminding of a Cycladic island.

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Church of Saint Paraskevi at Episkopi

A small, single-nave, barrel vaulted church that is located on the south side of the square, which has the same name. The church dates back to the period of the Venetian Rule, more specifically to the 15th century. There are two entrances, one on the west and one on the north, with ornate Venetian aedicules. On the monolithic lintel of the north entrance, there are two elaborate spirals. Just in front of the Altar, there is a tomb, whose owner is unknown.

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Saint Barbara monastery at Syrmeso

The church of Santa Barbara is a single-vaulted church with. There are ruins of the medieval buildings around the monastery. The best preserved building is the elongated two-storey building in the west. It is preserved in good condition with a vaulted ground floor, while the floor is semi ruined.

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Church of Saint George at Archanes

The church of St George is a three aisled basilica with a raised middle aisle. Its foundation dates back from the 13th to 14th century and is the largest frescoed church of Archanes. During the last renovation (18th-19th century) the gradients of the roof were decreased and altered its form.

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Church of Saint George at Therisso

The church of Agios Georgios is located at Therisso, Chania province. It is a double-nave church dating from 1555, with the second aisle dedicated to Saint Charalambos. The walls are adorned with very interesting frescoes.

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Church of Archangel Michael at Monastiraki

The church of the Archangel Michael is located in the center of the village Monastiraki (Amari province) and is a single-nave vaulted church of the 14th century. The south side is adorned with three arches and the entrance bears superimposed Gothic arches. The frescoes have not survived in good condition (only the representation of the Conception of Mary is still visible), while the bell bears an inscription with the date 1601.

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