⭐ 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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Ayia Early Christian Basilica

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The current small church of Panagia (Virgin Mary0 at Ayia is built on the side of the great basilica of the 5th century, which was the seat of the Diocese of Cydonia and Vamos. The temple was reconstructed in 10th-11th century, after a disaster probably suffered by the Arabs, and today the roof has collapsed. The aisles are separated by pillars and a semicircular arch was built for the middle aisle end.

Panagia church at Loutro

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In the middle of the settlement of Loutro we meet the beautiful and spacious temple of Panagia, dedicated to Zoodochos Pigi (Life Giving Spring) celebrating five days after Easter. The courtyard has a large Cretan date palm tree and a well with water.

Saint John the Theologian church at Elos

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The temple of St. John the Theologian is a single-room vaulted temple with dimensions of 11,20 x 4,46 meters. There are no documents for justifying its exact date, however according to the analysis of its murals it should be built around the first half of the 14th century attributed to the hagiographer Ioannis Pagomenos.

Saint Anthony monastery at Syrmeso

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The church of Saint Anthony is a single- vaulted temple with a simple semicircular arch. Around the church and in all directions you will see the abandoned monastic complex.

Saint George Vourvoulitis church at Kato Astraki

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At the highest point of the deserted village Kato Astrakoi we still see the imposing temple of Saint George Vourvoulitis, which unfortunately is now dilapidated. The temple was built on the site of an early Christian Basilica. Next to the church, at the point where we see currently the pipes for the irrigation of the surrounding fields, there was the spring of "holy water of Saint George".

Church of Saint John the Hermit in Falassarna

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The cavernous church of Saint John Xenos or Hermit is located in position Kavousi, in the region of Platanos village and has amazing view of the fertile valley of Falassarna. The chapel hosts a tomb where, according to the local tradition, was buried Saint John the Hermit, but his bones were later moved to Corfu and the church of Ai-Kyr Yannis in Tsourouniana.

Saint George church at Hymeftou

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The wonderful location Hymeftou near the village Moni houses the scenic church dedicated to St. George and the Holy Cross. This was the site of the monastery of the Holy Cross which was a dependency of the monastery Kavallaras at Korfes.

Church of Saint Constantine at Voukolies

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At position Nembros located between fields of olive and orange trees and very close to village Voukolies, we meet the chapel of Saints Constantine and Helen. The temple dates back to 1452 and bears frescoes in fairly good condition.

Asceticism

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