⭐ 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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Agia Pelagia church at Ano Viannos

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The temple of Agia Pelagia is located at an elevated point with panoramic views of Ano Viannos town and can be accessed by walking through the narrow and scenic alleys of the village.

Saint George church at Komitades

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The church of Saint George (Agios Georgios) is located near the monastery Panagia Thymiani, in the periphery of Komitades village, province Sfakia. It consists of the original single-storey 14th-century arched-roofed temple, to which an extension was added, the roof of which has now collapsed.

Panagia Church at Metaxochori

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The village with this rich religious tradition hosts many churches. Among them are the Byzantine church of Saint George and the half-ruined church of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.

Saint George Church at Kanavas

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The deserted village of Kanavas, province Kissamos, is located on the eastern slope of the hill of Profitis Ilias and is accessible through a dirt road starting from the village Zachariana. Next to the bed of the river passing below the settlement is the church of Saint George, which bears frescoes.

Prophet Elijah Church at Trahiniakos

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The temple of Prophet Elias in Trachinakos near Kandanos is located in the small cemetery of the settlement. Like in most of the Byzantine churches of Selino province, the external austere appearance comes in contrast with the rich interior with frescoes dating back to the 14th century.

Panagia Zerviotissa church at Stylos

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The church of Panagia Zerviotissa (i.e. left-handed) or Monastira is located east of the village Stylos, province Apokoronas. It is a 12th-century cruciform temple with an octagonal dome, each dome bearing a window on each side and supported by four pillars. The ground plan resembles a three-aisled basilica with three semi-cylindrical arches.

Saint Nicholas Church at Malles

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The church of Agios Nikolaos is located in a centre of the village Malles in the province of Ierapetra and at first glance one thinks that it is a modern temple. However, the church dates back to the Venetian period but has undergone extensive restoration works, both externally and internally.

Panagia Church at Platania, Amari

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The church of Panagia in village Platania, Amari province, is located in the center of the village and is a single-room vaulted temple with a semi-cylindrical arch. It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and celebrates on the 15th of August.

Asceticism

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