The Holy Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos (Gionas, Kissamos)

It is one of the largest pilgrimages in Crete.

Situated in the valley of Gionas on the peninsula of Spatha, Kissamos, the small yet significant Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos dates back to the 16^th century. Initially constructed as a single-aisled church, it was later expanded into a two-aisled structure, with the second aisle dedicated to Agios Nikolaos.

A special feature of the pilgrimage is the christening of many children who are ‘tagmena’, a Greek religious tradition whereby parents make promises to the saint, in exchange for the saint's protection and blessings upon their child.

The legend

According to legend, a weary monk, exhausted from the journey and the scorching heat, brought a branch of a plane tree from Nopigia and firmly planted it into the ground, declaring: ‘If the saint is a miracle worker, let this stick grow.’

Info: Wikipedia

Photo: Region of Crete