Greece is not only ancient ruins, it is also the birthplace of Orthodoxy. And Crete became one of those places where the seeds of Christianity first sprouted on the land of pagan Greece. Traveling to the most beautiful places of Central Crete, you can not only enjoy the picturesque views, but also touch the spiritual heritage of the inhabitants of the island. The ancient monasteries, which became the cradle of modern Greek culture and, most importantly, freedom and independence, continue to be the core of the spiritual life of the country. The role of Orthodoxy in the life of Greece is difficult to overestimate.

The Church of Crete is Apostolic. The first Christian community was organized around 64 ad by the Apostle Paul, who came to Crete to bear the word of the Lord as part of the Apostolic tour.

First, we will go to the Church of St. Miron, which is located in the village of Agios Mironos. In this small village was born and spent the last years of St. Miron, who became one of the first bishops of the island of Crete in the IV century. You can put your hands on a piece of his relics in the Church. Not far from the temple there is a source in which, according to legend, only a person with a pure soul can collect enough water.

Then we head inland to the village of Venerato, where the monastery of Panagia Pagliani is located. The monastery is located at an altitude of 280 m., near the village of Venerato at the exit of the Venerato gorge. On this place the icon of the most Holy Theotokos was miraculously revealed. During a fire in the surrounding impassable forest, local residents heard a voice calling for help. And when the fire was extinguished, in the thickets of burnt prickly trees found a miraculous icon. After a while, the worshippers noticed that the tree depicted on the icon began to sprout. At first, the icon was seen through the branches, and then finally disappeared. Until the icon disappeared inside the tree, it was moved to the temple and locked there, but with an invisible force it returned back to the bosom of the tree. Now the same Myrtle tree that hides the miraculous icon grows in the South-Eastern corner of the temple. Its particles – bark, leaves, twigs are healing. Sometimes, the face of the virgin is manifested, and it can be seen by believers with heart and pure soul people and children. But even at a time when the icon was visible to all, it made a copy, which is now in the temple and attracts many pilgrims. Holy Myrtle is always surrounded by lighted candles, icons, crosses and notes with requests are hung on the branches of the tree.

We will continue to move South of Crete, but after the village of Agia Varvara we will turn West to visit the Monastery of St. Anthony of Vrondisi. The monastery of St. Anthony of Vrondisi is located near the village of Zaros with beautiful views of the Messaras valley. The first mention in the sources of the monastery dates back to the beginning of the XV century. It is obvious that the monastery was founded much earlier. The pride of the monastery is a portable icon of 1600, written by the artist Angelos.

Next we will go to the amazing beauty, entwined with greenery and decorated with many Greek roses convent of Kaliviani. In the monastery the relics of the monks-martyrs, who suffered for their faith during the Turkish rule, were miraculously found. The relics were immured in the wall of the monastery chapel. From the relics of the Holy martyrs, many miracles are performed, which are carefully recorded by the sisters of the monastery. The monastery is traditionally engaged in charity. And now the monastery has a shelter for girls and a boarding house for single women.

At the end of our tour we go to Matala, where you can relax, eat and swim in the crystal clear water of the Libyan sea.