Saint Theodore the Sanctified was a disciple of Saint Pachomios the Great and his successor, who reposed in 367 AD. He is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on May 16th. Because he is a relatively unknown Saint of the Church and most churches dedicated to Saint Theodore belong to the soldier saints, there are only two churches in all of Greece dedicated to him - one on the island of Crete and the other on the island of Ithaca.
The photos posted here are all from the church in Crete.
1. Crete
The Church of Saint Theodore the Sanctified in Crete is specifically located in the area of Ano Moulia, Heraklion. The origins of this chapel date back at least five centuries to the years of Venetian rule in Crete. This conclusion arises from the minimal sample of frescoes that have survived inside, which constitute an infinitesimal sample of the rich iconographic decoration that the chapel once had. These few frescoes are blackened and the scenes they depicted are not visible. The temple is small and single-naved and inside it has a very simple wooden iconostasis.
Outside the temple, centuries-old olive groves spread everywhere. Among the olive trees in front of the temple, we can see scattered over a very large area fragments of ceramic vessels and chipped stones from ancient buildings that have now been demolished. All indications indicate the existence of an ancient settlement that existed in what was once a fairly large area. However, a systematic excavation that could have given us more information about the area was never carried out.
The photos posted here are all from the church in Crete.
1. Crete
The Church of Saint Theodore the Sanctified in Crete is specifically located in the area of Ano Moulia, Heraklion. The origins of this chapel date back at least five centuries to the years of Venetian rule in Crete. This conclusion arises from the minimal sample of frescoes that have survived inside, which constitute an infinitesimal sample of the rich iconographic decoration that the chapel once had. These few frescoes are blackened and the scenes they depicted are not visible. The temple is small and single-naved and inside it has a very simple wooden iconostasis.
Outside the temple, centuries-old olive groves spread everywhere. Among the olive trees in front of the temple, we can see scattered over a very large area fragments of ceramic vessels and chipped stones from ancient buildings that have now been demolished. All indications indicate the existence of an ancient settlement that existed in what was once a fairly large area. However, a systematic excavation that could have given us more information about the area was never carried out.
2. Ithaca
In the area of Piso Aetos, and specifically just before the archaeological site of the city of Alalkomenos, is the Chapel of Saint Theodore the Sanctified. It was built about 150 years ago (mid-19th century) and belongs to the parish of the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Gardelaki.
It was destroyed by the earthquakes of 1953, but was rebuilt again and has been maintained frequently and carefully since then, because the area presents problems with soil erosion, with the result that cracks very often appear on the walls and floor of the chapel.
The icon that is there was painted in 1899, as is written on it.
In the area of Piso Aetos, and specifically just before the archaeological site of the city of Alalkomenos, is the Chapel of Saint Theodore the Sanctified. It was built about 150 years ago (mid-19th century) and belongs to the parish of the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Gardelaki.
It was destroyed by the earthquakes of 1953, but was rebuilt again and has been maintained frequently and carefully since then, because the area presents problems with soil erosion, with the result that cracks very often appear on the walls and floor of the chapel.
The icon that is there was painted in 1899, as is written on it.
