The visitor to the southeastern Crete will come across an impressive monastic complex, the Holy Monastery of Timiou Prodromou Kapsa, which nests in the middle of grey-red rocks.
The Kapsa monastery was built either in the thirteenth or the fourteenth century.
It was the hermitage of ascetic and God-bearing Father Joseph Gerontogiannis.
Interesting are the lobby and the courtyard, both decorated with stones mosaics in the ground, the intricately carved iconostasis and the relics of the saints: John the Baptist, Joseph Gerontogiannis, Basil the Great, St. Pantaleon, Eleftheriou, Modesto, Charalambous Michael, Bishop Sinadon and a piece of the Holy Cross.
Another important part of the Kapsa monastery is the cave in which the ascetic Joseph Gerontogiannis lived for 17 years. The cave is located about 100m north-west up the steep slope of the ravine Perivolakia and is accessible by steps from the back of the monastery.
- Continue reading about the ascetic life of Saint Joseph Gerontogiannis in the Kapsa monastery
The Kapsa monastery celebrates on August 29 (day of the Beheading of John the Baptist) with the participation of numerous devotees from the districts of Ierapetra and Sitia, of which even many come to the foot.
Also connected with great reverence and with a vigil, saint Joseph Gerontogiannis is honored annually on August 7 with a religious ceremony.
Recommendation: combine your visit to the Kapsa monastery with our tour proposal Tour Lassithi from north to south: from Sitia to the monastery Kapsa
Useful information (last updated Sept. 2017)
Visiting hours for the public: daily from 06.30 – 12.30hrs. and from 15.30 – 20.00hrs.
Entrance fee: none
