Agies Paraskies, Archanes – Asterousia

Agies Paraskies (Saint Paraskevis) is a village in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It is part of the Archanes-Asterousia municipality and the Nikos Kazantzakis municipal unit. The village’s name comes from the many churches in the area dedicated to Saint Paraskevi.

Location and Key Features

The village sits on a hillside at an altitude of 360 meters, providing scenic views of the surrounding area. It is located along the road to Kastelli Pediados. The main occupation of the residents is agriculture, with a focus on vineyards, raisins, and olive cultivation. The village has a primary school and a regional medical clinic. It is one of the largest villages in the Archanes-Asterousia municipality.

Historical Context

Records from the late 16th century mention the village as Epano Agies Paraskies (Upper Saint Paraskevis) with 171 inhabitants and Kato Agies Paraskies (Lower Saint Paraskevis) with 124 inhabitants. Its proximity to the historic Agarathos Monastery is believed to have played a role in the intellectual development of the village’s residents.

Points of Interest

• Ali Efenti Fountain: Built in 1728, this fountain is located to the west of the village on the main road near the church of Agios Nektarios. An inscription in Arabic script notes its dedication by Ali Efentis, a resident of Megalo Kastro (Heraklion), for passers-by to drink in memory of Chanum Luchuna.
• Byzantine Jewelry Hoard: The largest hoard of Byzantine jewelry was discovered in the Porteles area near Agies Paraskies. The well-preserved gold hyperpyra coins from the reign of Nikephoros Phokas are now in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
• Kelia Settlement: This smaller settlement is part of the Agies Paraskies local community. It is located at an altitude of 360 meters and is 21 kilometers from Heraklion. In the 2011 census, Kelia had a population of 81. After the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923, the village was inhabited by refugees from Asia Minor.
• Natural Access: The gorges of Astrakoi and Kunavi, which lead to the Karteros Gorge, can be accessed from the Kolomodi location near the village.

Culture and Traditions

The village of Agies Paraskies has a rich history, with roots dating back to the 16th century. The presence of the Agarathos Monastery nearby is believed to have influenced the intellectual development of the village’s residents. The discovery of the Byzantine jewelry hoard in the vicinity adds another layer to the historical significance of the area.

The village has several churches dedicated to Saint Paraskevi, which is the origin of its name. The Ali Efenti Fountain, with its inscription in Arabic script, is a reminder of the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the region.

Family and Social Life

Family Structure

• Families typically consisted of parents, children, and sometimes grandparents if they had no other children.
• Parents were addressed as “father” and “mother,” and grandparents as “grandfather” and “grandmother.”
• Children used specific terms for siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins, reflecting the close-knit family ties.

Social Customs

• The village had a strong tradition of community involvement, with residents readily offering their labor for projects like building schools, churches, and roads.
• Mutual aid was common, especially during harvest time and for tasks like threshing, grape harvesting, and olive picking.
• Marriages typically involved partners from neighboring villages, and the new couple would often establish their own household.
• Inheritance customs dictated the distribution of property among siblings, with equal shares for sons and daughters.

Settlement: Key Points

• Historical References: The village is mentioned in records from the late 16th century as Epano Agies Paraskies and Kato Agies Paraskies.

• Location: Situated on a hillside in the Heraklion regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece.

• Historical Significance: The village has a rich history, with its proximity to the Agarathos Monastery and the discovery of the Byzantine jewelry hoard in the area.

• Population Data Over the Years:

  Year	Population	Notes
  1991	922	(1,014)
  2001	953	(1,022)
  2011	805	(886)
  2021	752

• Current Status: A village with a population of 752, primarily engaged in agriculture.

References

• Wikipedia
• Academy of Athens repository