tourism

Saint Paisios Feast Draws Pilgrims to Crete's Clifftop Chapel

Sunday, 12 July 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

On July 12, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Saint Paisios of Mount Athos, and one of the most striking places to mark this occasion in Crete is the tiny cliff-top chapel of Agios Paisios above Damnoni beach, on the south coast of Rethymno. The chapel clings to a steep rocky outcrop with views over the Libyan Sea. Damnoni itself is a popular beach destination near Plakias, easily reachable by car from Rethymno in about an hour. Visitors curious about Cretan Orthodox tradition can combine a beach day at Damnoni with a visit to this dramatic hillside shrine. The setting is scenic and worth the short climb, though appropriate footwear is recommended given the steep and rocky terrain.

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