Panagia Protoseptemvriani at Kavousi
Within the sacred grove of Kavousi on the island of Crete, a short distance from the famous monumental olive tree, and situated along the road leading to the important archaeological site of Azoria, stands the Church of Panagia Protoseptemvriani, also known as Panagia sto Skali.
It is a single-nave, barrel-vaulted church, dated on the basis of its architecture and the embedded ceramic bowls (pinakia) in the western wall, above the doorway, to sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries.
During the period of Ottoman rule, a cemetery was in operation at the site where we now see the church. The existence of a small monastery here is also attested.
Between 1988 and 1996, an archaeological surface survey was carried out in the area by archaeologist Donald C. Haggis, who identified pottery and architectural remains belonging to a settlement dated to between 2100 and 1450 BC.
At a distance of 100 meters east of the church, remains of structures were found indicating continuous habitation from the Minoan period through the Ottoman period.
This church of the Panagia celebrates its feast on September 1, the Feast of the Indiction, that is, the Ecclesiastical New Year, as well as the Synaxis of Panagia Pammakaristos, the patronal feast of the monastery of that name in Constantinople, whose icon is kept in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the City.
Various legends are also associated with this church, the best known being that of the hidden golden bell, a legend that is also encountered in other parts of Crete. What should nevertheless be emphasized is that the site on which the church was built affords an extraordinary view over the Gulf of Kavousi, with the island of Psira standing out in the distance.
Within the sacred grove of Kavousi on the island of Crete, a short distance from the famous monumental olive tree, and situated along the road leading to the important archaeological site of Azoria, stands the Church of Panagia Protoseptemvriani, also known as Panagia sto Skali.
It is a single-nave, barrel-vaulted church, dated on the basis of its architecture and the embedded ceramic bowls (pinakia) in the western wall, above the doorway, to sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries.
During the period of Ottoman rule, a cemetery was in operation at the site where we now see the church. The existence of a small monastery here is also attested.
Between 1988 and 1996, an archaeological surface survey was carried out in the area by archaeologist Donald C. Haggis, who identified pottery and architectural remains belonging to a settlement dated to between 2100 and 1450 BC.
At a distance of 100 meters east of the church, remains of structures were found indicating continuous habitation from the Minoan period through the Ottoman period.
This church of the Panagia celebrates its feast on September 1, the Feast of the Indiction, that is, the Ecclesiastical New Year, as well as the Synaxis of Panagia Pammakaristos, the patronal feast of the monastery of that name in Constantinople, whose icon is kept in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the City.
Various legends are also associated with this church, the best known being that of the hidden golden bell, a legend that is also encountered in other parts of Crete. What should nevertheless be emphasized is that the site on which the church was built affords an extraordinary view over the Gulf of Kavousi, with the island of Psira standing out in the distance.
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Panagia Trypiti or Protoseptemvriani in the Asterousia Mountains
At the southern edge of Heraklion Prefecture, in the rugged landscape of the Asterousia Mountains, the small church of Panagia Trypiti, also known as Panagia Protoseptemvriani, is built inside a natural cave shortly beyond the gorge of Trypiti and only a short distance from the sea. The gorge and the beach of Trypiti take their name from the little church, which is situated in the rock at the outlet of the gorge. The approach itself is particularly impressive, as the road from the area of Vasiliki passes through the narrow and imposing gorge before reaching the quiet beach at its mouth.
The church is an exceptionally simple cave sanctuary. The cavity in which it is built reaches approximately eight meters in height, while the natural floor of the cave has been left untouched, retaining its uneven rocky surface. A doorway has been fitted into the natural opening, above which a gap has been left that functions as both a source of light and ventilation; in the center of this opening is a white cross. Inside, the sanctuary and Holy Table are equally plain and unadorned, while beside the entrance stands a small, simple bell tower. Outside the chapel there is also a stone table, adding to the humble character of this secluded place of worship.
The setting of Panagia Trypiti is especially interesting because the Asterousia are renowned for their caves and for the ascetic tradition associated with them. Local accounts connect the cave in which the church stands with the residence of ascetics who came to the area and lived in the shelter of the rock. Recesses and niches can be seen within the cave and have traditionally been associated with this earlier eremitical use. Although the precise date of the present chapel cannot be established with confidence from the available evidence, its location within this distinctive landscape of caves, hermitages, and remote sanctuaries forms an important part of the religious character of the region.
The wider area of Trypiti is of considerable archaeological importance as well. On the rocky height of Adami Korfali, or Papouri, overlooking the gorge, lies an important Early Minoan settlement, excavated in the 1980s, while tholos tombs and other remains have also been identified in the surrounding area. Archaeological research has shown that the region was inhabited from prehistoric times, making the little cave church part of a landscape whose human history reaches back thousands of years. The church itself, however, should not be confused with these ancient monuments: the archaeological remains belong to the surrounding area rather than establishing an ancient date for the present sanctuary.
The church celebrates its feast on September 1, the Feast of the Indiction, that is, the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, from which it receives its name Panagia Protoseptemvriani. On the feast day, pilgrims make their way through the spectacular gorge to attend the Divine Liturgy in the small cave sanctuary. Afterwards, the nearby beach of Trypiti provides a natural continuation of the visit, with the rugged gorge opening onto the Libyan Sea. The combination of the cave, the ancient and ascetic landscape, the gorge, and the sea gives Panagia Trypiti a character quite unlike that of an ordinary village church: it is a small and secluded shrine of the Theotokos woven into one of the most remote and historically rich landscapes of southern Crete.
At the southern edge of Heraklion Prefecture, in the rugged landscape of the Asterousia Mountains, the small church of Panagia Trypiti, also known as Panagia Protoseptemvriani, is built inside a natural cave shortly beyond the gorge of Trypiti and only a short distance from the sea. The gorge and the beach of Trypiti take their name from the little church, which is situated in the rock at the outlet of the gorge. The approach itself is particularly impressive, as the road from the area of Vasiliki passes through the narrow and imposing gorge before reaching the quiet beach at its mouth.
The church is an exceptionally simple cave sanctuary. The cavity in which it is built reaches approximately eight meters in height, while the natural floor of the cave has been left untouched, retaining its uneven rocky surface. A doorway has been fitted into the natural opening, above which a gap has been left that functions as both a source of light and ventilation; in the center of this opening is a white cross. Inside, the sanctuary and Holy Table are equally plain and unadorned, while beside the entrance stands a small, simple bell tower. Outside the chapel there is also a stone table, adding to the humble character of this secluded place of worship.
The setting of Panagia Trypiti is especially interesting because the Asterousia are renowned for their caves and for the ascetic tradition associated with them. Local accounts connect the cave in which the church stands with the residence of ascetics who came to the area and lived in the shelter of the rock. Recesses and niches can be seen within the cave and have traditionally been associated with this earlier eremitical use. Although the precise date of the present chapel cannot be established with confidence from the available evidence, its location within this distinctive landscape of caves, hermitages, and remote sanctuaries forms an important part of the religious character of the region.
The wider area of Trypiti is of considerable archaeological importance as well. On the rocky height of Adami Korfali, or Papouri, overlooking the gorge, lies an important Early Minoan settlement, excavated in the 1980s, while tholos tombs and other remains have also been identified in the surrounding area. Archaeological research has shown that the region was inhabited from prehistoric times, making the little cave church part of a landscape whose human history reaches back thousands of years. The church itself, however, should not be confused with these ancient monuments: the archaeological remains belong to the surrounding area rather than establishing an ancient date for the present sanctuary.
The church celebrates its feast on September 1, the Feast of the Indiction, that is, the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, from which it receives its name Panagia Protoseptemvriani. On the feast day, pilgrims make their way through the spectacular gorge to attend the Divine Liturgy in the small cave sanctuary. Afterwards, the nearby beach of Trypiti provides a natural continuation of the visit, with the rugged gorge opening onto the Libyan Sea. The combination of the cave, the ancient and ascetic landscape, the gorge, and the sea gives Panagia Trypiti a character quite unlike that of an ordinary village church: it is a small and secluded shrine of the Theotokos woven into one of the most remote and historically rich landscapes of southern Crete.
