Orthodox Shrines of Crete

Program

For the Heraklion Region – Route through Central Crete

Mountain Monastery transformed into a Paradise
The journey begins at the 16th-century mountain monastery of Savvatianon located near Heraklion. Here, behind the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Forty Martyrs, are two chapels dedicated to Saints Anthony and Sava. You will learn about the history of these buildings and the role of the saints on the tour. Savvatianon is not only a place of sacred significance but also an aesthetically beautiful area for leisurely walks: you will see how local nuns have created a true paradise garden by planting many beautiful plants gathered from all over Crete. You will also learn about the various crafts practiced by the nuns to sustain the monastery's life.

One of the Oldest Monasteries in Crete and the Miraculous Tree
Heading further into the heart of the island, you will visit the church and cell of Saint Myron, located in the village of the same name, and hear the legend of the righteous man. And then I will take you to one of the oldest monasteries on the island. The exact date of the construction of the Panagia Paleani Monastery is unknown, but there are records of its mention as early as 688 AD. I will tell you about the miracle of the appearance of the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is associated with the founding of the monastery, and the amazing miraculous icon hidden in the branches of a myrtle tree. According to local beliefs, the tree has the ability to heal – on its branches, you will find metal objects symbolizing different parts of the body. You will also learn about the roots of this tradition on the walk.

The Monastery of Saint Marina and the Fate of the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian
The next stop on the program will be a monastery that attracts a large number of pilgrims on feast days not only from Crete but from all corners of Greece. The Monastery of Saint Marina is one of the most important places of worship for the great martyr and the only monastery dedicated to her in Crete. You will learn about the significance of this saint in the history of the Greek Orthodox Church, as well as the process of Christianization of the island and the gradual elimination of ancient cults. Finally, you will visit the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian. The monastery was destroyed twice but was rebuilt, preserving the appearance of a fortress – we will discuss the monastery's turbulent history on the tour.

Route through Western Crete

Panoramic Views and the Monastery of Saint Irene
This tour will start from an observation platform not far from Rethymno, which offers a magnificent view of the sea. You will visit the ancient Monastery of Saint Irene – it is believed to have been founded in the early 13th century. Like many other church buildings on the island, it has been repeatedly destroyed, fallen into disrepair, and rebuilt. Moving further west, you will reach the Monastery of Chryssopigi, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. I will tell you about the founder of the monastery – a philosopher and doctor from the city of Chania – and the centuries-old history of the monastery.

Landmarks of the city of Chania
In the city, you will visit two churches. You will see the Trimartiri Church – the cathedral of the Kandanos and Apokoronas Diocese of the Cretan Orthodox Church. The central part of the cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the north to Saint Nicholas, and the south to the Holy Trinity. You will also explore the Russian church on the outskirts of Chania and learn who it was built for, what is remarkable about this architectural project, and to whom it is dedicated.

Monastery on the Akrotiri Peninsula
The next stop will offer you another beautiful view of the island's landscape and a meeting with the last significant shrine in this program – the Monastery of Gouverneto (Holy Trinity). You will learn about the origin of the monastery's name, get acquainted with its layout, and architectural appearance.