Anne from Elounda, Crete writes: Hello, I would like to share with you, if I may, photographs of a beautiful old monastery. During this month of the Theotokos, hundreds of people will visit, as in fact they do throughout the year. The Holy Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni is built into a cave about 540 metres above sea level. During the first 15 days of August, many people will make the pilgrimage to the Monastery by foot from Agios Nikolaos, approximately 6 hours walking along the National road, or from Lerapetra about 5 hours, and from surrounding villages. It is a wonderful journey to make, walking through the night so as to avoid the very high daily temperatures, and I have been blessed to have been able to do this several times, accompanied by my Godfather and other friends. We arrive at the Monastery early in the morning and are able to take a short sleep before attending the Holy Liturgy. The Monastery is believed to have been built prior to 1282, when it was used to protect the Cretan rebels during the Venetian occupation, and again during the Turkish occupation when it is also believed to have been the first hidden school in Crete. The church is dedicated to The Virgin Mary and Zoodohos Pigi (Fountain of Life). There is an adjoining cave which holds the miracle-performing icon of Panagia Faneromeni (Revealed One). Also in the cave, water drips constantly and is said to have healing properties. The story I have heard...I love listening to all the old stories... is that a farmer one day was searching for his best ram. He found it in the cave drinking water from the drops coming down the rocks. He also found in the cave a beautiful icon which he took to his house. The next morning the icon had disappeared. Some time later he returned to the cave, and there was the icon where he had found it previously. Once again, he took the icon home with him. When it disappeared for the second time, to be found again in its original place in the cave, he decided that this was where it belonged and the church was later built there. The faithful come to pray before this icon to be cured, and, as you can see in one of the photos, alongside the icon people have left walking sticks that they no longer need to use. Panagia Theotoke, soson imas! #iamorthodox #pilgrimage #monasticism #miracles #dormitionfast
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 03:00:00 +0000
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