Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Odigitria

The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Odigitria is located on the mountainous mass of the Asterousia Mountains in the south of the prefecture of Heraklion, which constitutes the “Mount Athos” of Crete. Asterousia was the cradle of Christianity where was developed a rich monastic and ascetic tradition centered around Agiofaraggo and Martsalo.

It was founded in the 14th century and is related to the family of Kallergis to which it belonged. It is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries of Crete, as it is mentioned in a document of the Ducal Archive of Chandaka (Heraklion) in 1393. Moreover, there is a number of hermitages and chapels with remarkable frescoes that pertain to the monastery.

This monastery also owns its earlier monastic center of Saints Eftychianoi, where, according to the tradition, the saints Eftychios, Eftychianos and Kassiani the Siblings were burried. Brethren of the Monastery were also the saints Parthenios and Eumenios the Siblings, the founders of the Holy Monastery of Koudoumas.

The national rebellious story of the Monastery began as far back as the 17th century during Joseph’s abbacy when the Turks invaded Crete. Prior to the Revolution of 1821, the Monastery was a refuge for the Chaïnides (Christian rebels of Crete). In fact, the well-known legendary hero “Xopateras” was a Chaines (Cristian rebel of Crete) brother of the Monastery named Ioasaf.

In 1884, with a Patriarchal Sigilio (official patriarchal document) the Monastery became Stavropegic Monastery. In 1866, during the rebellion and the abbacy of Gerasimos Manidakis, the monastery developed a great national activity. This activity resulted in the infuriation of the Turks who responded to it with extensive disasters and violence.

During the years of the German occupation, the monastery once again confronted the conquerors' aggression because of its activity since they were nursing and looking after rebels. Today, there are five monks who dwell in the monastery:  Hieromonk (Priestmonk) and abbot of the Monastery Parthenios Voulgarakis, who hails from Monophatsi Pyrgos, Hieromonk  Eftychianos Sifakis, who hails from the village of Listaros, Monk Evmenios Varelidis, Monk Ierotheos Kaparounakis and Monk Arsenios Gargerakis. Moreover, hermit Theodoros dwells in the area of Agiofaraggo.