The Cretans have always been devout towards Virgin Mary, they have honored and loved her and she has always been for them a role model of life, purity, humility, patience and love. This relationship of the faithful Cretans and Virgin Mary is reflected in the numerous churches, both Byzantine and modern ones, and the historical Holy Monasteries.
One of these monasteries is the Holy Monastery of Faneromeni, Ierapetra. The Monastery is located 24 km. southeast of Agios Nikolaos at an altitude of 540 meters, near the archaeological site of Gournia, Ierapetra. It dominates the area like an eagle's nest in the Lasithi mountains with a panoramic view of the uniquely beautiful bay of Merabello and the city of Agios Nikolaos. The route to the monastery is beautiful with many photo spots.
The Monastery was probably founded in the 10th or 11th century and it is the oldest one in the eastern Crete. The monastery's catholicon was built in a cave, where, according to the tradition, the icon of the Virgin Mary was found. Whenever someone tried to take the icon from there, the icon would reappear in the cave. The cave with the catholicon formed the core of the monastery's development with its auxiliary buildings and the guesthouse.
The Monastery was a secret meeting place for rebels against the Venetians and later the Turks. During periods of siege, the small cave-cemetery connected the monastery with the outside world and supplied the fighters. The monks taught reading and writing to the young people of the surrounding areas in the first secret school of Crete. The Monastery acquired a large fortune due to donations from the faithful. At the end of the 19th century, it had acquired a large fortune, most of which the monks distributed to families in need after the Asia Minor Catastrophe. During the German-Italian occupation, many persecuted and resistance patriots found refuge there.
The current monastery is a 16th-century building and its fortress-like shape with crenels and ramparts, and its location prove its defensive character. The monastery has recently been renovated. There are now very few monks but they are always willing to host visitors and talk about the history and miracles of the Monastery.
The Monastery is the largest pilgrimage site in Eastern Crete and on August 15, the celebration of the Dormition of The Mother of God, hundreds of pilgrims from all over Lasithi, walk up to the monastery to attend the holly Service. It is an act of honor and gratitude of the faithful people for the protection and benefits they receive daily. They have much to say about miracles that have occurred in the Monastery and many offerings to give. This tradition and the love of the faithful have continued for centuries.
(more articles about Crete on www.gomega.gr)
