⭐ 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 Archangel Michael at Vlahiana

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The church of the Archangel Michael at the deserted settlement of Vlahiana dates back from 1447 and is maintained in good condition. It is a double-aisled church with decors on the exterior of the entrance and a weird window at the back. There is a tomb of the founder of Vlahiana, Georgios Vlahos, who fighted against the Turks at the side of the Cretan hero Daskalogiannis.

Holy Trinity Church at Agia Triada near Festos

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The two-aisled church dedicated to the Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) is located a few meters SW of the homonym archaeological site. The temple dates back from the 14th century and was the main temple of a village that existed here during the Venetian Era.

Lord Christ church at Temenia

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The temple of Lord Christ is located at the beautiful neighbourhood Lazopouliana at village Temenia. It is a Byzantine church built at two phases; the first was in the 13th century and the initial temple was single aisled. The domed part of the church was added in the 14th century. The walls bear beautiful frescoes dating back from the 13th century.

Church of Panagia at Livada

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The church of Panagia Kardiotissa is located at position Livada or Arkolio, south of Fourfouras, and operated as a small nunnery. Today we see the temple devoted to Birth of the Virgin and there are some traces and from the nun cells. The interior of the church bears traces of frescoes of the 15th century, of which stand out the depictions of Saint George and the Second Coming.

Saint George Samakidis monastery

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In a lush green ravine formed between Analipsis and Pefki we meet the former monastery of St. George of Samakidis. The church celebrates on November 3rd and is built in a cave. According to tradition, in 1471 Joseph Samakidis, who lived in the monastery of Panagia Kera by village Pilalimata left his monastery due to pirate raid.

Lord Christ Church at Kato Viannos

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Just a few meters before reaching the village of Kato Viannos we meet the cemeterial temple that celebrates on August 6, as it is dedicated to Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. It was built during the Venetian Era and its exterior is simple, but its interior has many frescoes, quite damaged, which are brilliant.

Panagia church at Kamari

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A short distance from the village of Kamari will meet the very old restored church of Our Lady (Panagia), built during Turkish Era in an area surrounded by vines.

Archangel Michael church at Kato Astraki

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The small single-aisled Venetian church of Archangel Michael is located at the ruined village of Kato Astraki. Its interior bears impressive frescoes. Out of them stands out the representation of St. Francis.

Asceticism

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