⭐ 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.

Show Map

Church of Saint Mammes in Kapistri (Stavros)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)

The small single-nave church of Saint Mammes (Agios Mamas) is located north of the village Kapistri, currently named Stavros, in Ierapetra province, very close to the monastery of Panagia in Gourni and the church of Agia Sophia.

Church of Saint Nicholas in Amari

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)

The province of Amari has a really large number of churches dedicated to Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos), as almost every village hosts one. Inside the residential area of the village of Nevs Amari there is the small single-nave arched church of Saint Nicholas.

Life Giving Spring church at Kavousi

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)

The church of Zoodochos Pigi is located at the position Sfakias and serves as the cemeterial church of the village Kavoussi. It is dedicated to the Theotokos and has the name of the Life giving Spring (Zoodochos Pigi), referring to the Marian pilgrimage of the same name in Constantinople.

Panagia Pantanassa Monastery at Vagionia

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 0.00 (0 Votes)

The church of Panagia Pantanassa Vagionea is dedicated to the Life Giving Spring (Zoodochos Pigi )and is located at position Vagionia in the region of eastern Ierapetra. Built in a remote rural area, full of greenhouses, it was the main temple of the Pantanassa nunnery.

Church of Saint Demetrius in Pigi

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 0.00 (0 Votes)

The church of Agios Dimitrios is located in the village of Agios Dimitrios, very close to Pigi, Rethymnon. It is a cross-shaped temple with dome and projecting parts to the sides. The exterior walls are framed by blind arches and a few small windows, while the dome is supported by 4 corinthian columns.

Panagia church at Kefalas

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)

The church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) in Kefalas, province Apokoronas, is dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos and celebrates on August 15th. The pillars and its enclosure date back to the mid-19th century and bear Venetian architectural elements.

Church of Saint George in Artos

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)

Northwest of the village Agios Konstantinos in Rethymnon province is the ruined village of Artos, which was destroyed by the Ottomans because of its revolutionary action. Access to the site is possible via a dirt road starting either from Saint Constantine or Zouridi. Today, three churches are preserved, of which Saint George stands out.

Panagia church at Kissos

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)

The church of Panagia in Kissos, province Agios Vasilios, is located next to the village cemetery and is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary (celebr. 8 September). The original single-nave temple has been extended to the west in the early 20th century, when the impressive bell tower dating back to 1901 was added.

Asceticism

Also read: