The church

The church

The church of Agios Miron, located in the western part of the village is the Byzantine style. Previously he was in the same position a small church which was dedicated to the Birthday of Mary. In 1886 the church was raised on the west side and gradually began to take its present form.
The size of the church of Agios Miron is striking, says that this is not the tribute even a prominent person of Cretan ruling class, but for an Episcopal church. In the church episcopal character proves the existence of synthronon the episcopal throne.

It is a series of seats for the clergy in the sanctuary, behind the altar. The throne is not found very often in churches of this period and this is an element that gives even greater historical importance in the church of St.

The temple, which was the seat of the Orthodox diocese of the Byzantine period until the Venetian period is an early Christian basilica that was converted during the second Byzantine period, probably in the 11th century AD -12o. in tetrastyle cruciform with a dome. This also testifies to the visitor and the configuration of the interior of the temple, having the nave, wider than the sides. the arms of the cross are roofed with arches and angular apartments feature, a feature of the Greek Architecture.

The two outer sides of the church are articulated by blind arches, typical of the architecture of Istanbul, made of hewn limestone. The arches of the vaulting is petoloschima shape due to the Arabic influence and meets the Helladic architecture school.

The same applies to the dome, which is formed in an octagonal equal number of built-in small pillars. The outside of the temple was coated with whitish mortar and kept a wide area and in excellent condition incisions that mimic ashlar masonry. The incisions were made with the help of special toothed ruler leaves footprint small diagonal grooves.

Inside the church, right as the visitor enters the sanctuary, there is the tomb of the Saint. It is about 50ekatosta higher than the floor of the church and covered with a marble slab on which with capital letters is the inscription:

<< Myron 'Ierarchin the stone he covers being egrigorota hand Knossos as dioceses etima kathefdonta not herein as miraculous doxazomen not boast homeland andrakias simplirosas of the fortune his Apas was translated SKY metaklithei endoxos in 500m.ch year >>.

The marble slab that, as is revealed by the inscriptions, was donated by C. Perifanaki and around built in Athens in 1866. It is said that the inhabitants of the village moved from Heraklion to church on their hands to honor Holy. Beneath this plate are a few steps you reach a narrow space and there is another plate that covers a small grave, where mid are the relics of the Saint.

For his grave we know from the book of Helen Linardakis that became breach attempts and even by Christians. Specifically earlier, two people, one called Tzanakis went and opened the tomb in order to obtain a small bone to make talismans, thus taking advantage of the miraculous power of the Holy. but soon they began to look into the tomb, heard terrible thunder both sacrilegious fled terrified their work. One of the two said just returned home died from bleeding, while another went mad and died insane after a few days. Also in 1867, when vicar of the church was the priest Manolis Kalyvaki, he became the second sacrilege to the tomb of St. It said then that time, one of the sons of Portsi in Pendamodi, one next to Saint Myron village, took one of the sacred bones of the saint and began to hit to the break .the same time began to twinkle heaven and thunder upset the village. Papa-Manolis thought that something happens in the church and hurried along with other villagers to see what happens. The image you saw was frightening.

The tomb was open and inside it was a symantro, with any hit bone, the sacrilegious, and he was dead in the grave and his body was crushed. Almost only the bones were left. The priest and the villagers took him and buried him and made prayers and processions by placing the Holy Relic again his grave.

Central location in the church of Saint holds a full dedicated to Saint. We do not know the creator. It calculated that was created around the 16th century and is miraculous because in many cases since then until now? Myrovlizei and this, like the Tomb of St. for which has already been made.

Central location in the image held by the Saint Myron, who sits on the pontifical throne, the golden vestments. Around the image depicted some of his miracles. In the top left corner shows the scene that St. helps wheat thieves to lift the sacks and the inscription says << christomimiton shows sympatheian per the wheat steal Relief theirs is >>. In the upper right corner is the scene ordained bishop and the inscription << Bowl obvious the Holy Spirit of Knossos Bishop ordained >>. In the lower left corner shows the river miracle Triton with the inscription: << setup Rama Triton traverse, as another Moses and Elisha Sorito >>. In the lower right corner shows the Dragon miracle (which will be discussed below) and the inscription says: << In noktou Dragons clearly every troposas, aesthetic dragons are driven far. >>. Finally at the bottom in the middle of the picture Santa buried by many other bishops and the inscription explains: << expired worn eternal kliroutai. >>

Many people who resort to this miraculous picture pleasing Agios help. Indeed reported and an incident-miracle dating back to the German occupation .Tote then, along with other Germans settled in the village and the German sergeant Aifren. The sergeant saw sleeping Saint, who promised to help him to return unharmed to his home country, if not cause harm to people.

Waking awestruck, wondering who he was and when he later went to church, with astonishment, recognized the image of St. format that visited him at night. Since that day no longer bothered by the residents, while he worshiped every Sunday until the final withdrawal of German troops from the island.

The commemoration of Saint Myron 7-8 August

The commemoration of Saint Myron 7-8 August

During the early Christian period does not need the validation of the Saints from the patriarchate. Later, word schism imposed the need when a Saint was recognized to have the validation and the Patriarchate stamp.

As we know from his life, Saint Myron slept about 350mch. Along with the canonization of, and was attributed the status of miraculous. The date that we know is the 8th August. So his memory was placed from the beginning on August 8. In memory synaxarion the Istanbul church is located on 8 and 9 August. In other biographies found memory and on August 17, by obvious confusion with the homonymous martyr Myron of Achaia, which is celebrated on August 17.

Is from early Christian times, the tradition of the Church the memory of the Saints be celebrated with a festive way. The celebration except indication and exemplary devotion to the faithful, and is need of relaxation, meeting and unity of the faithful, not only those who belong to the same parish and surrounding areas.

Preparations for the celebration of St. Myron memory starting at a reasonable time, so that both the church and the village is ready to welcome the thousands of pilgrims flock every year. Established schedule and work sharing, the preparation of which the rector of the church guides, father Nicholas Kritsotakis. The church council also bears much of the responsibility of the preparation and the work it always finds great response from the villagers. At the same time, in celebration of the memory of St. activated and the Cultural Association of Saint Myron to perform dances and other cultural events on the eve and the day of the celebration.

The celebration program announced a few days ahead of the festival. Issued and posted programs in Heraklion and the surrounding village areas, while made announcements from local channels as well as the radio station of the Archdiocese of Crete, who also undertakes the transmission of both the vespers (August 7) and of liturgy, the day of the feast.

The celebration begins with the evening, at about 19: 00pm, chorostatontas Archbishop of Crete or chancellor, or other representative sent by the Archdiocese as well as the presence of many other priests.

Following? T the blessing of the church loaves, which is both the great church of St. and in the area of ​​the small church underneath the cave with the holy water.

It is worth noting that the pilgrims come during the evening prayer, but also throughout the night and the day, beyond the 5,000 people. So are incalculable number artoplasion blessed to share the faithful. The church remains open all night for this set shifts Commission to serve the faithful.

In recent years, on-call his father Nicholas Kritsotaki, established be around 22: 30pm to 03: 00p.m, -agrypnia vigil in honor of the saint, which brings together hundreds of believers.

The next day, the day of the feast, at around 07: 00p.m starts Matins and the Divine Liturgy which is Archieratical. Followed by the blessing of the loaves and the procession of the holy icons and relics of the Saint. Breakfast celebration closes with a reception in the church hall of the honoree, Episcopalians and despotic authorities and clergy, while the church remains open throughout the day to night, which was re vespers and prayer to the saint.

Commemorate frame, as mentioned above, and the activities of the cultural association which takes care of early organizing dances overnight and the day of the festival. The feast is in the village square and the accompanying traditional Cretan music, good wine and good company.

The Biography of Saint Myron

The Biography of Saint Myron

The Rafkos then, was the birthplace of Saint Myron. The relative with this historical tradition is poor, and the lives and biographies that echome our moods not sufficiently enlighten about life and action. The birth is placed around 250 AD, during the reign of Emperor Decius and his death (assumption, as is customary in the Church terminology), around 350 AD

He ascended to the episcopal throne of Gortyn around 320-330 AD But here the tradition is divided. That is, is a matter born, if there was bishop of Gortyna, that President Crete or was simply Bishop Knossos. That's because the older texts bring him as bishop (Gortyn) Crete, while the newer as bishop of Knossos. Without doubt we must accept the evidence of the oldest life, a reliable text on the 10th or 11th century, which bring him as Chairman Crete << >>, ie bishop (Gortyn) Crete. Regarding not the younger hagiographic tradition that brings him as bishop of Knossos, this appears to be due to the transfer of the old bishopric of Knossos in Rafkos city, namely the Holy Myron during the second Byzantine period the island.

The Saint was born of noble and pious parents. The birth and upbringing coincided with the difficult years of the persecution of Decius, so indeed his parents tried very diligently to raise him properly and to protect it from the effects of sinful idolatry of that era. Already from his childhood was evident that future development within the church because he was wise and prudent, shunned baby frivolities and habits and show obedience to his parents.

From toddler seemed a benevolent character and the miraculous abilities, which is evidenced by the numerous miracles. One feature is that with the grapes and wine.

One year, says tradition, distributed to the poor all the grapes from the vines of his family. His mother made the remark that all year toils for the vineyard that now no grapes to make wine left. But he no antimilisei mother of the said: << Efylaxen and our God Mother! >> He went to the vineyard and found only a bunch of grapes with three nipples. He brought it home and put it in the glass. Immediately began to run the must until filled barrels family and the entire village.

When Myra grew up practicing the profession of farmer. And in this phase of his life he continued to help all people in any way they could. Satiate the hungry, dressed the naked, take care of widows and orphans, greet strangers and generally offered all assistance to anaxiopathontes. It features two incidents of behavior that occurred during this period.

The first, a night happened when St. noticed that thieves had gone stealing grain from the threshing floor. The thieves thought that sleeping. Filled sacks, and one with the help of the other charged on their shoulder and left. The latter however, had no help and struggled to lift the bag on his shoulder. Then Santa got up and with his own hands put the sack on his shoulder thief. << God forgive you >> said the Saint and the thief left amazed.

The second case is similar to the first. Thieves were trying to steal from the field of chickpeas. When the Saint realized instead to stalk them, blessed them and giving them their chickpeas sent home by ordering them not to speak to anyone about the incident.

When he reached marriageable age Myron, married with a woman pious and faithful. But soon his wife died and he, once freed from the shackles of nerve undistracted devoted to God. daily studying the Scriptures, he fasted and prayed while continuing their charitable work. As it became known virtue, ordained Reader first and then ordained Elder. In the following years, on Constantine the Great, when now persecutions stopped, Myron served with zeal in preaching the Gospel, teaching not only with his words but rather with his works and his virtue.

His reputation quickly spread everywhere for it and when the Bishop of Crete died, everyone, clergy, nobles and people turned to him and begged him to take over the pastoral care of their souls. So Myron consecrated Bishop of Crete and this axiom most continued its miraculous action and benevolent work.

Once, while touring-according to the custom of bishops-the province, had to cross the river, then called Third, the current Giofiro. But it was winter and the river eieche flooded. When he arrived, he crossed the waters by the Episcopal of rod and stopped the natural flow of the river, to get him and his entourage. Then he gave the deacon of the bar and told him to crucify the waters. So the river continued to run.

The saint lived into old age. Koimithite estimated that about one hundred years after leaving behind a huge pastoral and Christian work, while paving the way for entry into the Christian life of hundreds of people since then until today.

Both during his life and after his repose, numerous are the miracles that are attributed to the face. Of these, in this phase of our work, we will mention some of which date back to the Ottoman period.

In 1826, therefore, the Turkish Grand Castle, led by Hasan Pasha, recruited against the Malevizi province villages. Once arrested many of the inhabitants led them to the village Agios Myron and kept captives beside the Temple, one on the house roof in order to carry them next to the City and others to kill them and others to their tourkepsoun. In order to even prevent any escape placed during the night and second guard. All night the prisoners prayed and invoked the help of the Holy. At midnight there was a glare in the sky like fiery languages ​​descended and stood over the church. Simultaneously they were heard and possible thunder deafening noises. The Turks thought that the Christian army was surrounded and occupied because their panic, they left running while the villagers rushed to release their captives, who thanked Santa for their salvation.

The 1826 also mentioned two important miracles that made Saint and even in Turkish.

Hussein Agha from Archanes, who also took part in many massacres against Christians, had been blinded. He had left magician or doctor and not the visit to be cured. Friends of Christians advised him to go to Tinos, but Evanyelistria wanted to glorify St. and Hussein turned from there blind. When Hussein learned that Saint Myron miracles, requested and brought him to the village. He entered the church and knelt before the tomb of St. All the time the Divine Liturgy was kneeling. When the priest read the Gospel, cried the blind: << Glory Anyway God and honor the Holy One elder, I see ... >>. Indeed, after the end of the operation, the Turkish Aga descended into the cave Opy ascetic saint washed his eyes with the miraculous holy water and became completely well. From then until 1859 where he died he visited very often the village and the church of St and offered gifts.

That same year, another Turk, the Bedri Effendi, despite the hardness gave villagers permission to repair the temple of the saint, although this is hardly allowed in those years. A yet another Ottoman, Hajji Moustafa, pliroforoumenos fact banned the reconstruction process and even wanted to turn the church into a mosque. So Bedri killed him and forbade the monk Nelepo to re-enter the temple. But while he was leaving the village Heraklion, she fell ill with dysentery and died. So with the miraculous intervention of St. rescued the temple from the vevylosi.

At the same time, the Ottomans save the temple of Saint supplies and food and placed guard for their safekeeping. But during the night they sounded strong thunder and terrible noise. Residents woke up and ran to the temple from where the noise was coming. They saw the Turkish guards to go and shout that Evlias, an old man with white beard and gold clothing drive them. The next day removed from the temple munitions and delivered him to the Christians are seamlessly their worship.

The summer of 1861 came to St. Myron from Heraklion George Kolyvakis together with his wife Marigo, which according to the diagnosis of doctors suffered from severe nervous disease. During their stay in the village the situation worsened and relatives, hoping to statherapeftiki power of the Holy Temple brought to him. They invited the abbots of the monasteries Jerusalem and Maximus the Merciful Meletios, the vicar of Ano Asites George and the priests of the Temple Emmanuel, and Hadji-Papamichail. Priests for five whole days did prayers near the tomb of the saint and together with them many villagers fasted and prayed. Every day they were celebrating Mass, while the Tomb of St. scatters wonderful fragrance, which filled the Temple. During the night of Wednesday presented the patient saint informed that Friday would be exempt from the influence of the evil spirit. On Friday, during the Holy Mass and while the priest gave the << ... >> Exairetos, the patient cried out, shaken and left for a short time on the ground as if dead. After a while he got up, healthy anymore, praising God and thanking Santa for treatment.

Besides the above, of course, they have been recorded and many other wonders of this period (19th c.), Which, indeed, could be material for many books. We decided however to not to tire our readers to choose a number, which also directly linked with aspects of our work.

The "Dragon" a barometer of nature

The "Dragon" a barometer of nature

A curious phenomenon is happening in the Dragon rock from ancient times until today. The rock is granite and has an area of ​​about 1000sqm, is an infallible predictor of the weather.

Sometimes small bubbles as white foam coming out of the slot-indication it's going to rain-always according to residents, and sometimes hear a strange noise through the rock -an indication that will make heavy winter.

This confirms many villagers, who have witnessed this phenomenon. Many foreigners, geologists and engineers have visited the Dragon, but have failed so far to explain this particular phenomenon that tradition and faith wants to work with the grace of the saint, as an original barometer of nature.

The miraculous Holy Water & tradition with the dragon

The miraculous Holy Water & tradition with the dragon

From the courtyard of the church, going down the slope from the western part, we encounter a small cave in the rocks, which goes under the church.

This cave was the site of ascetic saint and is directly linked to a miracle, which celebrated Saint Myron.
One day, the tradition says, a lion came to the village from the northern part and the residents were frustrated and scared.

Agios Myronas was ordained bishop at that time and was absent from the village .A time but that Saint had visited the hometown of the dragon Do it again displaying. It happened one Sunday morning while the Saint was working in the church of Christ the Savior, which exists until today.

Saint without fear reassured the believers and sent his deacon in the Episcopal the bar to order the beast in the name of Christ, to stay in the place where he was.

Indeed the beast remained motionless and dead. After the operation the Saint stood in the church yard and dropped onto the recumbent beast seemed on the slope, a large stone.

At the same time a rain of stones, unknown of which fell over the beast that was fossilized and became a large rock.

This rock-closed again according to tradition -through of the Dragon is why today the rock saved is called "a dragon."

Today even shows the tail of a lion in the northwestern part of the village and head petrified in the southwest, just inside the cave that runs the miraculous holy water.

To get you in the cave -the sanctified as legetai- must descend three steps .it is a narrow space. Roof of the head of the lion petrified St.

Left there is a hill, about half a meter above the floor panels, which, according to tradition always-was the bed of the ascetic saint.

All around there are rocks, while lower floor there are three potholes. In the middle always runs holy water.
In a recess of the rock is the image of the saint and the front is always lit the lamp.

Query and impression, however, causes both the villagers and visitors, how this is done, and so many people for centuries earn holy water, this never ends!

Miracles Saint Myron

Miracles Saint Myron

In 1930, he healed by the miraculous grace of Holy Water Lambros Zacharis, director of the magazine << >> family life, which then served as a preacher of the Holy Archdiocese of Rethymno and Mylopotamos.
He was suffering from severe eye problems and had lost much of his vision. Listening to the wonders of Saint Myron came supplicant in his grave and he prayed and washed with holy water became immediately well.
Since then and for many years visiting Saint Myron and thanked him.

During the German occupation many were also miracles did St. On departure of the German troops, the grace of the saint prevented the bombing of the village, since, while the weather was good all of a sudden a black cloud darkened the sky and the Germans unable to locate the target, gave up and left.

In 1969 Nikolaos Papadakis, a resident of St. Myron was saved from certain death after landslide soil during work on the drain of the Church. He was crushed to the earth for more than a half hour.
When the villagers found him and dug, showed no signs of life, as did the Community Doctor John Makrigiannakis.
Then they brought holy water from the cave of the saint, threw it in the face and immediately began to meet. It was found later by testing with no damage was nothing serious.
He until the end of his life recount the miracle and thanked Saint.

At about the same time healed from a serious eye disease Constantine Komara, a resident of Halandri, when his mother asked, in tears, a little holy water from Martha Tamiolakis, coming from Agios Myron and therewith anointed the child's eyes which became well immediately.

 In 1977 Helen Synodinou, resident of the village MESAGROS Lesbos, wrote to the then vicar of St. Myron Stylianos rodamaki, recounting the how with the help of Saint her father was well, who suffered from a serious lung disease.
Saint, a venerable old man with a white beard appeared in his sleep, telling her that came from Crete and was protector of the family.
She asked and learned about the Holy and only the father was completely well, came to testify its gratitude to the Holy Temple.

In 1988, Linardaki Gospels, a resident of St. Myron, became ill with cancer and underwent a mastectomy. But health is not restored instead deteriorating day by day. invoked the grace of the Holy and complications without medical intervention, they stopped while her health was fully restored.

The same year mentioned the miracle the deaf Peace from Komotini. Her mother, having heard of the Holy Myron came to beg him to cure her child.
Indeed, when she prayed kneeling in front of the tomb, the child began uttering some words.
Followed by the celebration of Mass, during which the child started talking normally, which caused the admiration and awe of the faithful.

For a long time the G.Vrachasotakis, Heraklion resident talaiporountan cancer glands. In the dream he presented the Saint and told him to come to wash with holy water to get well. Indeed he came and washed, drank holy water and day by day the situation began to improve.

In 1997 John Marketakis, commissioner of the Holy Temple, came to pray for the success of his son in the exams for TEI. Who comes to church and putting the key to open the door he heard a terrible creaking and the door began to shake as if it was an earthquake.
Afraid opened and went inside.
The temple smell and when he approached the tomb of Saint saw the candle be shaken beyond given. Then he realized that this was a good sign. Really child passed the exam.

He, two years later, he learned after the doctors exam he had a cyst in the kidney and had to inspect it could develop into something very serious. distressed resorted again to grace St.
The rector of the church, Father Nicholas, the crucified on the grave with the Holy Lance and oil from the Holy. In tests repeated bladder there was nowhere.

In 1998, Good Friday, came to the church of Saint Myron a woman from the village of Great Iraklion Fountain, which was her son sick.
The Saint had indicated in a vision, the ascetic space.

When he came and found that what he saw in vision was actually, burst into sobs. The faith and devotion of helping to make good son.

In 1998, Sfakianakis Irene, Heraklion resident entered the premature birth process. Those difficult hours while doctors had panicked lest the children are getting something or born with a problem, he was premature, prayed and gave to Saint Myron be born with good and many kilos are many kilos of wax to bring to his grace.
Actually the child is born well and since then every year visit the church.

In 1999, the rector of the church, Sr. Nicholas Kritsotakis, after the dismissal of Divine Operation felt severe pain in the region of the heart, which worried him because it was not the first time.
He stood in front of the image of the saint and asked him to help him .The dawn of the next day dreamed that while he was in the sanctuary of the temple, he entered the Holy of the north gate and greeted with sympathy and hilarity. On the same day he went to Heraklion and underwent a medical examination, where doctors found that there was a problem, but most had been overcome.

In all cases reported Wonderland Santa made sure to make his presence felt to those who prayed and believed in him.

But unannounced or during long moments of Christianity St. shows signs of.

In 1997, a week before Easter, during the evening Presanctified Wednesday, it found that the tomb had sweated and gouged Holy Myrrh, which scented the whole temple. The scent is diminished and increased until Easter performance and were particularly strong during the days of sufferings and Resurrection.

The same event was repeated in 2001, from Saturday morning onwards.

In the same year, during the vespers of the feast of the saint, the image of the shrine began spurting rich myrrh.

Once again heard from inside the tomb light rod knocks on the marble and which was interpreted as an expression of special favor.

That favor and protect the holy Myron able to feel and to understand only those who truly believe in him and in God he represents. The power of faith in God is great and only she can lift people from the dead ends and ephemeral everyday life.

Historical data

Historical data

The oldest name was Rafkos and identified with the ancient city, which flourished the Minoan and Roman times to the present village. Incidental findings which are in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, including inscriptions and coins, dating from 1900 BC In the early 20th century found on Holy Myron Minoan seals and pottery of the Late Minoan period. In 1941 he discovered chamber tomb of the Late Minoan III A, with four sarcophagi and pottery. In 1966 the position fountain, which was important Minoan cemetery, sarcophagi discovered the Palace period thus excavated by Stylianos Alexiou and Angeliki Lempesi. The burials were in jars and ellipsoidal or loutiroeideis sarcophagi. Based on the pottery, the cemetery was dated from the late palatial and Protopalatial early period, was also used in New Palace period.

Agios Myronas named by the Holy Myron (lived between 250-350) was born in ancient Rafkos and was bishop of Crete in the episcopal throne of Gortyn in the late 4th century.

The first mention of the village is a contract in honor of St. Myron, 1281. In the census Kastrofylakas, 1583 refers Samiro village with 254 inhabitants.

During the Turkish Saint Myron became the center of resistance against the Ottomans. Many Agiomyrgianoi participated in the Macedonian Struggle (1904-1908) to captain Yiannis Makraki and to Therisso revolution on the side of Eleftherios Venizelos, and the 1912 Balkan Games - 1913. Four people died heroically in the 1940 epic . in the years of the occupation by the entire town took part in the resistance.

In 1856 the village was completely destroyed by an earthquake. then rebuilt and today is one of the most impressive villages.