⭐ 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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Saints Polikarpos, Charalambos and Nikolaos Church at Lousakies

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At the cemetery of Lousakies we meet the Byzantine temple dedicated to Saints Polikarpos, Charalambos and Nicholas. The temple is of the type cruciform with a narthex in front. Its interior bears frescoes from the Venetian era.

Michael Archangel Church, Archanes

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The very old church of Michael the Archangel is located south of Archanes, bearing frescoes of 1315. A mural depicts the founder of the church holding a model of the church and there are depictions of sinners in hell.

Church of Saint Nicholas at Maza

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The church of Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) Maziotis is located in the village of Maza, province of Apokoronas. It is a small single naved arch-roofed temple dating back to the 13th century. Its interior has impressive frescoes by the famous hagiographer of western Crete, Ioannis Pagomenos, who is believed to be buried on the floor of the temple.

Church of Saint John at Liliano

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Half a kilometer away from the small hamlet Liliano, very close to the airport of Kastelli, lies another treasure of the Cretan hinterland. This is the cemeterial church of Agios Ioannis Rigologos celebrating on August 29.

Saint Paraskevi church at Rethymnon

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The church of Agia Paraskevi is relatively modern, but it is built over an older Byzantine church. Even today the visitor will discern small parts of the frescoes of the original church, dating before the 17th century. Inside, the church has a large collection of wonderful portable icons. Outside the church there is a large courtyard under the tall trees.

Panagia Pantanassa church at Avdou

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The church of Panagia Pantanassa (dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary) is located in a wooded area west of the village Avdou and was built in 1600 at the expense of Nikolaos Ligizos. The church bears a beautiful embossed marble doorframe and backside frame.

Church of Saint John at Margarites

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The church of St. John Baptist is located in the center of Margarites and is a single – aisled vaulted church. Below the plaster, frescoes of 1383 have been revealed.

Christ Church at Potamies

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The Church of the Saviour Christ of the 14th century is located close to Potamies and is a single-nave vaulted temple with a pitched roof and the doorway on the west side of the church. It presents a simple architectural style with slightly pointed subsections.

Asceticism

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