⭐ 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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Panagia Sourouthiani Church at Alikambos

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The church of Panagia Sourouthiani or Sirothiani is located in the outskirts of the village Alikambos in the province of Apokoronas, very close to a spring with fresh water. It is a small single-nave church dedicated to the Dormition of Theotokos (celebr. of August 15th) which is externally decorated with round ceramics called pinakia.

Mary of Egypt Church at Samaria

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The small single-nave arched temple of Mary of Egypt is located in the Samaria deserted settlement, inside the imposing gorge of Samaria, accessed by a short path. According to one option, the name of the Samaria Canyon derives from the corruption of the name of Osia Maria (Saint Mary). The church celebrates on April 1st, when several mountaineering clubs of Crete participate in the festival.

Church of Saint Nicholas at Rodopos

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At Rodopou Peninsula and not too far from the village Rodopos, we meet the plateau of Agios Nikolaos. Agios Nikolaos is one of the largest plateaus of the peninsula, smaller than that of Gionas, which in the past was cultivated. In the middle of the plateau, we meet the modern temple of Saints Constantine and Helen.

Lord Christ church at Smari

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Very close to the former monastery of Prophet Elias and just below the ancient citadel of Smari, still survives the simple single-nave church dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ the Saviour. The interior bears frescoes dating back from the 14th century. Among the frescoes we still discern scenes from the twelve major Christian feasts of the year, various saints, officiating prelates and Supplication.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Halepa

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The temple of Saint Maria Magdalene is located in Chalepa, the noble district of Chania that flourished in the 19th century, when Eleftherios Venizelos who lived here emerged as the most important leader of modern Greece.

Panagia church at Saitoures

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The Temple of Panagia in Saitoures, Rethymnon, is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary and is built at the entrance of the village Saitoures. Its interior walls bear frescoes of the 13th-14th century, among which stand out these depicting sinners in hell. Basilicata reports in 1630 that in the middle of the village there was an old Orthodox church, the Virgin Mary, where there was an iron cross covered in silver, bound with an iron chain, which was used for healing the frenzy and the demonic spirits.

Saints George and Constantine Church at Pirgos

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The village Pirgos at province Monofatsi hosts a two aisled church dedicated to St. Constantine and Helen, and St. George. The aisle of Saint George bears exquisite frescoes dating back from the 13th century, depicting mainly the life of Saint George. The aisle of Saint Constantine and Helen depicts scenes from the life of Saint Constantine.

Saint George Church at Kalamas

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The imposing church of Agios Georgios in Kalamas, province Mylopotamos, dates back to the 12th century and is one of the most impressive churches in the prefecture of Rethymnon. It has a special architecture, as it is cross-shaped with two narthexes in front and a dome at the center of the cross, reminding of a three-aisled church.

Asceticism

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