Catholic Church
in Crete
-
The Catholic Presence
- CRETE, the ‘’CRADLE’’ of Europe and the largest of the Greek Islands stretches over 170 miles and numbers about 600.000 inhabitants. It is a name rich with history.
- 3000 - 1100 BC: the MINOAN period spanned almost 2000 years and took pride of place in the whole world.
- 1100 BC - 1204 AD: New Empires (Dorian - Roman - Saracen - Byzantine) rose and fell in succession.
- 1204 - 1669: The Crusaders and Venetians, built churches and fortresses of outstanding features.
- 1669 - 1898: The Turkish occupation has left its mark on Crete.
- 1913: Unification with Greece.
- 1941: ‘’Andarte’’, the Resistance movement, reveals a land of Heroes inflicting a fatal blow on Nazism.
- 1981: Greece (and CRETE) join the EEC.
Sacrement's chapel, ChaniaDue to such historical reasons, the Catholic population is now no more than about 500, most of whom are not even native of the Island.
Most Tourists have discovered CRETE since the 1960’s. But now it attracts over a million visitors. A good many of these people are Catholic and feel quite at home in our 3 parishes, all located on the Northern coast.
- 3000 - 1100 BC: the MINOAN period spanned almost 2000 years and took pride of place in the whole world.
- The Catholic Mission
- Some day historians will produce a history of the Catholic Church in CRETE where so many priests, lay-brothers and nuns of many congregations and orders have worked together for centuries.
However the Capuchins, present on the Island since 1566, are now the only Latin Clergy to carry out a three-fold mission, thus under the jurisdiction of the Catholic bishop of Syros, Santorini and Crete, Francis Papamanolis, himself a Capuchin and native of Greece, they endeavour.
- to maintain regular contacts with the residents
- to establish a real friendship with the Orthodox,
- to offer a warm welcome to large groups of tourists
Since then, in 1996, Crete has also benefited from the presence of 4 "Missionaries of Charity" (from the sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta), whose pastoral work is to enhance the liturgy and to deal with the poor, the sick and the prisoners.A resident VICAR GENERAL in Crete makes pastoral efforts well coordinated.
- to maintain regular contacts with the residents
- Saint Paul discovers Crete
- Some 3000 years after king MINOS of KNOSSOS, Saint PAUL, also made history as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 27).
- As a prisoner he had embarked at MYRA the S-W tip of Turkey, on a cornship bound for Rome around October 60 A.D.
- The Autumn Equinox forced the crew to round the Salmone headland, the Vai peninsula and to sail clockwise under the lee of CRETE, off Ierapetra, before sheltering at Kaloi Limenes, Fair Havens in the Lasea area.
- Later on they failed to winter at PHOENIX, a much safer harbour, on the West side of Chora Sfakion (Port Lutro).
- The ‘’Meltemy’’ that fierce North-Easter, drove the ship along the lee of Gavdos Island. She avoided the Syrtys banks, but eventually got wrecked on her way to MALTA, as was predicted by PAUL to the captain.
- In 65, released from jail and back from ROME, Paul paid a visit to GREECE, called at CRETE, and appointed TITUS as bishop of GORTYS, the greco-roman city near Phaestos.
- From then on, the 500 year notorious name of CRETE, as reported by Epimenidis and quoted by St. PAUL himself, was to be erased by Christianity. Were not CRETANS in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost?
- As a prisoner he had embarked at MYRA the S-W tip of Turkey, on a cornship bound for Rome around October 60 A.D.
- The ‘’KERA’’ of perpetual Help
- Tradition has it that Cretans have always been renowned for their deep love for the ‘’Theotokos’’ (The Mother of God) who in Crete is referred to as the ‘’Kera’’ (The Kyria - Our Lady). As far back as 692, Saint Andrew of Crete, Bishop of Gortys, won fame after 3 noted sermons preached on the ASSUMPTION of Mary.
- Long ago, a priceless image of the Virgin holding her divine Child, and looked upon as miraculous, was to be found enshrined in a local church . At the end of the XVth century, the painting was stolen by a sailor and disappeared from CRETE.
After many years however, it was returned to a church in Italy. Today the sacred picture is venerated in ROME under the noble title of our Lady of Perpetual Help.
That explains why a replica of an icon of such world-wide repute is lovingly put on display in many churches in CRETE for the spiritual benefit of all the Faithful.
- Long ago, a priceless image of the Virgin holding her divine Child, and looked upon as miraculous, was to be found enshrined in a local church . At the end of the XVth century, the painting was stolen by a sailor and disappeared from CRETE.
- The Orthodox in Crete
- Tourists in Crete catch sight of lots of churches set against a background of blue sky and green forests. Their white shapes and red roofs topped by bell turrets invite them to go in.
To their delight, visitors contemplate the artistic ICONOSTASIS, a colourfull screen with doors and icons. Prayer is enhanced by the BYZANTINE liturgy, rich in chants and vestments of their own, in an atmosphere of incence, olive oil and candles. The whole effect is one of light.
At once they are aware of the universality of the CHURCH built in the likeness of the human body with two LUNGS, one of Latin rite, the other of Greek culture (Jean Paul II).
Thus they learn that through sad conflicting views on the AUTHORITY of the Pope over the centuries, UNITY has broken between East and West. So, almost without realising it, Christians just drifted apart.
And yet, "true sacraments, above all (by Apostolic succession) the Priesthood and the Eucharist have always kept the two separate churches in closest intimacy".
"With the Orthodox churches, communion is so profound that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord's Eucharist." (Paul VI).
Already when no church of Latin rite is to be found around, Catholics holidaying in CRETE are allowed to share the Orthodox Eucharist.
In today's time of Ecumenism, the Holy Spirit turns tourists into pilgrims to pave the way towards Christian UNITY.
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