Chrysopigi Monastery, Chaniá, Greece

The Convent of Chrysopigi, just outside Chania, is dedicated to Mother Mary, the Life-Giving Font (Panagia Zoodochos Pigi). The convent is built in a fortress style and it was founded by Ioannis Chartophylakas at the end of the 16th century. During Venetian rule it was a significant spiritual centre with a well-stocked library.

Its stopped flourishing with the Ottoman siege in the summer of 1645, when Philotheos Skoufos, the Father Superior, escaped to the Ionian Islands, taking with him the holy heirlooms of the monastery. Since then the place was deserted until it was restored in the 18th century. During the Liberation Revolution against the Ottomans it was burnt down.

After 1830 it played an important ecclesiastical role, but during the Second World War the Nazis obliged the monks to leave and caused serious damage to the buildings. In 1976 Chrysopigi was restored and became a convent. In the interior of the church dedicated to the Life-giving Font (Zoodochos Pigi), there are wonderful icons of the 19th century and a wonderfully carved wooden iconostasis.

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Destination Crete

User Reviews

Theophan Webster (7 months ago)
One of the most welcoming and beautiful places in the world, all of the nuns are so very kind and emulate the love of Christ. If you’re in Crete, this is a must-visit no matter where you are traveling from. Liturgies are on the weekends and start at 8:00AM. We have a forever connection to St. Porphyrios by God’s grace from this visit.

Maja Sellmer (10 months ago)
As soon as you step through the door you enter into another world, away from the everyday busyness and into the peace of God's presence. The sisters are very kind and welcoming. Wonderful place

mario pop (10 months ago)
Prist was angry and kicked us out the monastery because we came after 12pm. But at the entrance they charge us to get in!!

Γιάννης Θωμαδάκης (2 years ago)
The most beautiful, picturesque monastery in Chania, with very friendly nuns, well organised and pious. The best example if you wish to acquaint yourself with the Christian Orthodox church, as well as the monastic life in Crete.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Ninara

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The Church of the Holy Cross

The church of the former Franciscan monastery was built probably between 1515 and 1520. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Rauma. The church stands by the small stream of Raumanjoki (Rauma river).

The exact age of the Church of the Holy Cross is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this location around the year 1420.

The Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.

The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.

Chrysopigi Monastery

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