The Cave of St. John (Agios Ioannis) the Hermit




The cave of Agios Ioannis is located on a beautiful mountaintop, in the area of Marathokefala, just 25 km west of the city of Chania.

It was named after the residence of St. John the Hermit, as well as the 15th-century so called church, which is in it. Bright and imposing, the cave has a capacity of 3,000-4,000 people and an incredible view of the plain of Kolymbari.

A marble head as well as the marble statue of a child ((kept in the parish museum) were found in the cave, so it is believed that it had been an early Christian location of worship.

There is also a small place in it, that due to tradition was used as a hidden school for the Christians.


Every year, on October 6-7, the feast of St. John the Hermit is celebrated in the chapel, while, on December 24, the representation of the Birth of Christ takes place in a real nativity scene.


Σχόλια

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