Category: RELIGION

Seeking the majesty of the divine in Crete.

Crete has a centuries-old spiritual tradition, which is reflected in historical and religious monuments, temples, monasteries and chapels.
Crete is a land of saints. It has a long spiritual tradition, which includes its historical monuments, churches, monasteries and country churches, as well as its mountains, gorges and other places of rare natural beauty.
Religious tourism is not a new idea, something thought up recently. It is the oldest, the most important form of ‘‘tourism’’ in the history of mankind. Religious travel has its roots in the pilgrimages. Since antiquity the desire to embark on a journey for religious purposes has inspired people to express their religious sentiments, their deep faith and their reverence for God. The Municipality of Hersonissos has made it to its priorities to enhance the direct link between religion as a cultural phenomenon and tourism.

In the territory of the Municipality of Hersonissos you will find a considerable number of Churches worth a visit. The village of Avdou is dotted with frescoed Byzantine churches, such as the Church of St. Antonios, the Church of St. Georgios, the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Constantinos. In the village of Potamies there is also a remarkable church monument, the Monastery of Panagia Gouverniotissa (dedicated to the Virgin Mary) and in the Village of Kera the very famous and picturesque monastery of Kardiotissa, which is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary.

The village of Episkopi has many interesting Byzantine churches, located in the vast area. Within the village are the Byzantine churches of Archangel Michael, St. Paraskevi, and St. Ioannis which contains frescoes. On November 11th there is a public holiday for the celebration of St. Minas, the patron saint of Episkopi, a very popular event for the visitors.
In the Municipal Unit of Hersonissos, in the Harbour of Hersonissos, you can find the remains of three early Christian churches reminding the existence of one of the oldest Metropolis in Crete, the Metropolis of Herronissos.