Preveli monastery

The monastery of Preveli (or Prevelis) is in a beautiful natural setting on the western slopes of Megalos Potamos (the exit of Kourtaliotiko Gorge) and the palm grove of the area. It includes two separate monasteries which are located 1.7km from each other, the Kato (Lower) Monastery of Prodromos and the Piso (Back) Monastery of Theologos.

KATO MONASTERY

 

The first monastery complex, which the visitor first meets, coming from Rethymnon, is the Kato Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodomos (St. John the Baptist), which is ruined.

It is located near Megalos Potamos river and the arched bridge of the area.

It is a irregular set of buildings with a central courtyard, in the center of which you can see the church of St. John the Baptist. The church is surrounded by the buildings that housed the dining room, the cooking room, the abbot room, the cells, an olive oil press, warehouses, etc.

The monastery was formerly used all year round, as the surrounding areas were ideal for cultivation and farming.

However, it was later abandoned, as it was destroyed and looted several times by the various conquerors of Crete.

PISO MONASTERY

Unlike Kato Monastery, the Piso Monastery of Theologos operates as a male monastery and is actually the monastery of Preveli. It is built on the rocky cliffs of Mesokorfi mount, at an altitude of 170m, and has incredible sea views.

The complex is built in shape Π, with the two-aisled church of the monastery in its center. The temple has a magnificent icon screen and its two aisles are dedicated to St. John the Theologian (celebr. May 8) and the Annunciation.

Around the church there are the buildings of the abbot, the dining room, the baking room, the library, creamery, wax workshop, the monks' cells, the cemetery, etc.

Many of the valuable objects (sacred vessels, vestments, gospels) and icons are exhibited in a small museum, inside the monastery. A large number of icons (16th-20th century) have been collected from Kato Monastery, Piso Monastery and various chapels owned by Preveli.

 

The exact date of the monastery founding is unknown, but there are indications that there was a small monastery in the 10th century monastery. According to tradition the monastery takes its name after a murderer coming from Preveliana village, who left his home and was installed here on 16th century. However, it is likely that the monastery takes its name from Akakios Prevelis, who renovated the monastery in 1670.

Preveli has linked its name with the participation of its monks in each of the liberation struggles of Cretans. One of the greatest personalities of Crete was the abbot of the monastery, Melchizedek Tsouderos (1803-1823). Melchizedek was a member of the Society of Friends (a secret organization. Its purpose was to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece) and first organized the revolution of 1821 in Crete. He took part in several battles, but he was killed heroically in 1823.

During the German occupation (1940s), the monastery hosted more than 5000 allies who fought in the Battle of Crete. Indeed, near Perth of Australia, there is a tourist village and a monastery named Prevelly, founded by -the survivor and forever grateful to Preveli monks- veteran soldier, Geoffrey Edwards.

Moreover, Preveli is famous for the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros) stored in the temple, that was donated by the Abbot Effraim Prevelis and is considered miraculous. The cross bears part of the True Cross at its base and comes from Constantinople. According to tradition, during the battle in Amouryeles in Heraklion (1823), the Cross fell to the Turks who sold it to some Genoese pirates.

When in November of the same year they sailed near Preveli Lake, the ship stopped although the weather was windy. For three days, the ship could not move, until the pirates delivered the Cross to the monks. Moreover, when the Nazis captured the monks of Preveli in 1941, they took the cross. However, the plane that was about to carry the cross to germany, could not take off with no explanation. Once the Germans delivered the Holy Cross to the police station of Chania, the plane took off!