⭐ 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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Holy Cross Foundation, Kalyves

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The Foundation of the Holy Cross "St. Raphael" is an informal small monastery at position Tria Kamarakia, next to the highway of Rethymnon - Chania, which is mostlycharity- oriented. The main temple is a three-aisled basilica dedicated to the Neomartyrs (Raphael, Nicholas and Irene), the Holy Cross and Saint Ephrem.

Agia Pelagia monastery at Ahlada

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The monastery of Agia Pelagia, a dependency of Sabbathiana monastery, is located on the side of the stream that ends at the beach of Agia Pelagia.

Saint George Gorgolainis Monastery

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The monastery of Saint George Gorgolainis is located at an altitude of 480m, next to the village Asites, 24km south of Heraklion. It is built at a lush green area with huge platan, cypress and oak trees. Indeed, one platan and one cypress tree inside the complex have been declared as protected natural monuments by law.

Saint Anthony Monastery at Katevati

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The Holy Monastery of St. Anthony is located at position Katevati, 6 km from the village Akoumia, at an altitude of 525m. To reach the monastery you must travel 15 minutes by car on a dirt road from Akoumia.

Agios Nikolaos church at Hersonissos

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The Early Christian basilica of Agios Nikolaos is located east of Hersonissos town, at the site of the current church of St. Nicholas. The basilica of the 6th century had dimensions 50mx19m. It was decorated with a mosaic floor which is preserved in better quality than the floor of the nearby basilica in Kastri.

Kallergis Monastery near Kasteli

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The monastery of Kallergis or Kaleris is located southeast of Smari village, about 35km east of Heraklion and 4km north of Kastelli. It is built in a wooded area with many hills and mountainous morphology.

Agii Pantes Monastery, Loutraki

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The holy monastery of Agii Pantes is located near Loutraki settlement, by Kroussonas. It is a modern convent located at an elevated position overlooking the area.

Agia Moni monastery in Viannos

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The monastery of Agia Moni (Holy Monastery) is located about 60km east of Heraklion and 38km west of Ierapetra, near Kavoussi Gorge. It can be accessed via a short road that starts from Ano Viannos and passes through a verdant landscape.

Asceticism

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