Surely you saw that Greek temples have benches for the flock, so you can sit during the service. Why must they stand in Russian Orthodox churches (although a few benches for the weak we have too)? There are several versions to that effect. “On Prayer” During the prayers, the very first Christians did not stand […]

Crete was one of the first to be Christianized. A sermon on Jesus Christ was voiced in Crete as early as the 1st century AD. The Book of Acts says that the inhabitants of the island listened to the sermon of Paul the Apostle. Therefore, the Christian temples of the island or their ruins are […]

On November 25, 2019, Greek parliamentarians voted against amendments to the country’s Constitution. The amendments provide for the separation of the church from the state, media reported. This suspended the long-term process of a “fermentation” in Greek society but hardly putted a period on. Background information The Greek Orthodox Church is not separated from the […]

“The Arkadi Monastery on the island of Crete does not belong only to the island.” The website of the monastery says that “It belongs to Greece, Europe and all five continents—the whole world.” Not only because of many visitors and pilgrims from all over the world, which the monastery receives every year, but considering that […]

A friend of our newspaper and, perhaps, the best licensed Russian-speaking guide on Crete, an expert on the history of the island, PhD Stamatios Patelaros, told us about his ancient noble Cretan family. There were many famous people in it, whose life and activities are known far beyond the borders of Greece. This story is […]

In Greece and especially on Crete, April 23 is usually celebrated as the day of St. George the Victorious. Why “usually”? – Because this year the holiday falls on Great Tuesday of Holy Week, which means it will be transferred and celebrated on April 29, right after Easter. Why “especially on Crete”? – Because on […]

Christian shrines are the greatest pride and joy of the island. In Crete, Christianity was preached by the Apostle Paul with his disciple Titus in the Ist century. The latter became later the first bishop of the island. That is, the history of Christianity in Crete lasts two millennia. There are here many historical monuments […]

Christian shrines are the greatest pride and joy of the island. In Crete, Christianity was preached by the Apostle Paul with his disciple Titus in the Ist century. The latter became later the first bishop of the island. That is, the history of Christianity in Crete lasts two millennia. There are here many historical monuments […]

May is very sunny in Crete. The joyful May sun shines over the island almost all the days. In May in Crete there is practically summer weather, but without intense heat, so at this time it is especially pleasant to make excursions around the island. Water in the sea is hardly encouraging to have a […]