"Storgi tis Panagias" Orphanage - "Storgi tis Panagias" Orphanage

To have

Sacred Atmosphere !!!

Moments of peace

I met this place many years ago !! But I feel the same emotion every time I visit !!

Convent between Tympaki and Miri, dedicated to the Assumption. It houses a nursing home, an orphanage and textile workshops and a priesthood. It is open from morning until late afternoon. If you are in Messara it is a necessary pilgrimage.

We visited Crete between 08.24.21-07.09.21. We rented a car for 12 days, so we spent a lot of time on various trips and visiting interesting places. 08/30/21 from Rethymno, where we lived, went to Matala Beach. Our bullets lay through the Phaistos Palace and the Panagia Kaliviani Convent. The distance from Rethymno to the monastery is 73 km and it took 1.5 hours. At the entrance there is a beautiful gate with the image of St. Panagia Kaliviani. After passing through them, on the left, there is a small aviary, where many different species of birds are presented. But we were rather impressed not by exotic species, but by giant pigeons, just some kind of broilers! There is also a public toilet right next to the entrance, very clean. In general, the entire territory of the monastery is very well-groomed, tidied up with care and love. Having passed to the main temple, we saw how the men washed carpets with Kercher right on the street and spread them on the stone paved paths to dry. Having entered the main church, we met a priest named Zacharius. We got to know him and asked for his blessing. He read a prayer to my wife and me, mentioning our names and blessed! As a souvenir, he gave us icons with the image of St. Theotokos Kaliviani. Next to the main church there is a preserved chapel of the 14th century, this is a small temple of the Life-Giving Spring, where in 1873, in its then ruins, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Panagia Kaliviani" was found. In total, about 50 nuns live in the monastery. The monastery is known for its active charitable activities. There is an orphanage for girls and a nursing home for old women. A large, well-groomed area, many flowers, a museum, a large store of icons and products made by girls' hands, 5 churches. The monastery has some resemblance to the hotel, because individual buildings resemble hotel buildings of similar architecture and have their own names. An interesting church in which is located the ark with particles of the relics of St. George, warrant officer. Panteleimon, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, great Martyr. Catherine. It is built right into the rock, to which the church itself is attached. You can freely enter all the open doors and see the life of the nuns living here. Who are very friendly and hardworking. A very beautiful place with gracious energy and tranquility! Thanks to everyone who is praying here for such a beautiful temple!