⭐ 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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Church of Panagia Faneromeni in Agios Ioannis

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The church of Our Lady (Panagia) Faneromeni is located in Agios Ioannis, province Mylopotamo,s and was founded during the reign of Andronikos II Palaeologos (1282-1328). The temple belongs to the type of single-storey with arched roof, which was extended westward in the 16th century.

Church of Saint Theodore in Hondros

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The early Byzantine church of Saint Theodore of Amasea (Agios Theodoros Stratilatis) is located in the village Hondros, province Viannos, where the old cemetery of the village used to be. The outdoor space has been transformed into a beautiful spacious park.

Panagia Church at Panagia (Kenourgiou)

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The almost deserted village of Panagia in the province of Kainourgiou was named after the three-aisled Byzantine church of Panagia, which is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God (Koimisis). It is believed that the church originally, in the 15th century, was the center of a religious complex or monastery, which over time evolved into the settlement of Panagia.

Church of Panagia at Dimblochori

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In the deserted village Diblochori, three temples survive: the ruined roofless church of Saint John (Agios Ioannis) very close to the local spring, the old church of Saint George (Agios Georgios) just before we reach the settlement and the impressive church of Panagia. The church of Panagia is dedicated to Life Giving Spring (Zoodochos Pigi) and celebrates on the first Friday after Easter.

Church of Panagia in Lambiotes

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The church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) which is located in the cemetery of the village Lambiotes is a small one-room arched temple of the 14th century. The temple was expanded westwards during the 15th century, when an arcosolium was also added to the south side ( arcosolium is a Venetian burial monument).

Saint John the Theologian church at Kissos

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The church of Saint John the Theologian (Agios Ioannis Theologos) is located at the bounds of Kissos settlement, Agios Vasilios province and celebrates on September 26th. It is a small arched-roof temple of the 13th century, relatively tall compared to its other dimensions, founded on a natural rock. Impressive is the complete absence of windows in the walls, except for the sanctuary.

Church of Saint George Vagionitis in Kastri

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The church of Saint George (Agios Georgios) Vagionitis is located in the settlement Kastri in Viannos province, above the spring Flega and just below the dry Piskopi Pidima waterfall. It has always been one of the most important pilgrimages of the area.

Church of Saint George in Mourtzes (Fourfouras)

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The Byzantine church of Saint George (Agios Georgios), dating from the early 15th century, is located in the rural position Mourtzes southeast of the village Fourfouras, province Amari. The small one-room arch-roofed temple is built on the site of an older one.

Asceticism

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