Rethymno Antifonitria Monastery
Location: Miriokefala
The Monastery of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) Antifonitria is located in Myriokefala, a small mountainous village in the border between the prefectures of Rethymno and Chania.
It is said that this monastery was founded in the 11th century by Saint John Xenos (also known as Saint John the Hermit), who also founded many other monasteries around Crete. According to tradition, the monastery was established after Saint John heard a voice coming from a bush on that spot crying out "Here I am! Here I am!". Under that bush, he found an icon of the Virgin Mary, which was said to be miraculous. Thus, the monastery was named Antifonitria, meaning she who shouts.
The monastery flourished and was decorated with frescoes in two separate phases, in the 11th and the 13th centuries. It is also said that Saint John brought ecclesiastical equipment and valuable relics from Constantinople to the monastery, with the authorization of the Emperor and the Patriarch, but they have not survived to this day.
After the conquest of Crete by the Ottomans, the monastery declined and eventually stopped operating in 1900. Today, only the katholikon of the monastery survives, as well as some ruins of the walls and the monks’ cells around it. This katholikon is now used as the main church of the village of Myriokefala and it celebrates on September 8th.
Top Tours and activities
-
![Georgioupolis full day Land Rover Safari experience 1]()
![Georgioupolis full day Land Rover Safari experience 2]()
![Georgioupolis full day Land Rover Safari experience 3]()
Georgioupolis full day Land Rover Safari experience
Book nowfrom € 73.00Category: Activities, Day Trips9 hours MapHave a safari tour in Chania starting from Rethymnon! Witness an old village, check out a hidden seashore, stop by an olive factory, and taste various delicacies.
