Crete

Crete is the largest Island in Greece.

See specific details on each of the Island regions of Crete soon

Location
Tucked away in the deep south of the Aegean, Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, (2,641 sq. km); a rugged island with a varied landscape of mountains and deep ravines that descend to the plains and sandy beaches that surround the island. back to top
Population
About 264,000. back to top
History
Crete had the first European civilization over 4,000 years ago with the Minoans. Once this civilization came to an end around 1400 BC, Crete was invaded by all the neighbours, starting with the Mycenaens, then the Dorians and later the Romans. The fall of the Roman Empire put Crete under the rule of the Byzantine Empire and Christianity was further established. The Arabs invaded and conquered Crete in the 8th - 9th century; it was taken back by Byzantium and eventually sold to the Venetians in the early 13th century. The rule of the Venetians lasted until 1669, when the island surrendered to the Turks. The Turkish rule practically ended in 1898 when Crete was placed under international administration. In 1913, Crete was officially attached to Greece. back to top
Religion
This topic is not island-specific. It applies to the nation of Greece. Orthodox Christianity is the recognized dominant religion of Greece and it is legally protected by the state. This has caused legal discrimination against non-Orthodox Churches, and although the constitution of 1975 removed the power of most of the old laws against Protestants, problems still exist today. There is a lot of fear towards anything outside of the Orthodox Church, especially on the islands. However, repeated rulings of the European Court of Justice in favour of religious minorities in cases of discrimination have led to a relative increase of the freedoms that these religious minorities now enjoy. back to top
Saints
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Prayer
Please pray for: * The believers on the island to stay firm in their faith and not to be discouraged from spreading the Gospel. * The church to grow and for more people to get to know the Lord as their personal Savior back to top
Miscellaneous
* Crete is an island that attracts thousands of tourists each year. Most of the population of tourists each year are Germans. * Crete has the highest production of olive oil in the world according to its size and boasts being the producer of most of Greece's export of olive oil. * Crete also produces a great amount of wine each year as well as vinegar. * Most of the Islands income is from tourism as well as the olive oil that is exported back to top
Celebrations
* Feast of St Basil (January 1st). This is associated with a good start for the New Year. An old Byzantine custom of slicing the Vassilopita (Basil cake or New Year Cake) gives the person who finds the hidden coin in his slice, good luck for the year. * Epiphany is celebrated throughout Crete when the blessing of the waters takes place. A cross is thrown into the sea, lakes or rivers and retrieved by swimmers who are then entitled to good luck. The event is particularly spectacular in the old harbor of Chania. * Clean Monday or Kathari Deftera, 40 days before Easter, marks the first day of lent and it is customary to go out in the country and fly paper kites. * On Good Friday the people of the towns and villages carry candles and follow the procession of the Epitaph. * On Saturday in Holy Week the ceremony of the resurrection takes place in the courtyard in front of all churches and bells are rung all over the towns and cities. Candles are lit one from the other and then the people make their way home for the traditional feast of dyed red Easter eggs and Mageritsa soup. * Easter Sunday is the biggest church holiday in Greece. All over the country lambs are roasted on a spit and there is wine in abundance. Red eggs are cracked against each other and the person with the last remaining uncracked egg will have good luck. This is the most beautiful time to be in Greece if the weather is good. * In many villages of Crete they have a bonfire on Easter where an effigy of Judas Iscariot is burned. In any rural area in the week leading up to Easter Sunday you will see people on their donkeys gathering sticks and branches in preparation for the effigy burning. * April 23rd -The feast of Saint George is celebrated. In Assi Gonia near Chania in Crete the religious celebration is followed by a sheep-shearing contest among the local shepherds. * May 1st -Labour day and the Feast of the Flowers. There is a general exodus to the country for picnics and the sky is filled with kites. In Chania and Rethymnon they celebrate the anniversary of the battle of Crete. * In July the town of Rethymnon in Crete has a wine festival, while in mid July another wine festival is held in Heraklion * The Heraklion Festival is held from July through September and features some of Greece's most popular musicians as well as theatrical performances. * July 20th: The Panagiri (feast) for the Prophet Elias is held at the highest church or monastery (usually on a hilltop or mountain). * August 15th: The day of the Panagia (Virgin Mary). This is the second biggest religious holiday after Easter. This day is celebrated in almost every town and village in Greece. Anywhere you go there will be a celebration with dancing, food and services. Usually they go on until dawn back to top
Resources
www.greektravel.com www.in2greece.com