Monastery of the Saviour Christ and Saint Gideon (Metochi Karakalou)

The Monastery of the Saviour Christ and Saint Gideon, commonly known as Metochi Karakalou, is located in the village of Margarites, approximately 30km south of Rethymno, Crete. Built in the late 15th – early 16th century, it became a dependency of Karakalou Monastery on Mount Athos in the 18th century. The monastery’s founder was a member of the Venetian-Cretan Dandolo family, who held property in Margarites. A well-preserved tomb bearing the Dandolo coat of arms can be found in front of the monastery gate.

Originally a nunnery, tradition holds that during the Ottoman occupation, the nuns fled to a nearby cave to escape Turkish attackers. A white cloud miraculously concealed the cave entrance, protecting the nuns from harm.

Under Ottoman rule, the monastery was granted to Karakalou Monastery and converted into a monastery for monks. Saint Gideon, originally from Tyrnavos, Larissa, lived in the monastery for six years until 1803. He was martyred by the Turks in Tyrnavos in 1818. The last monk to inhabit the monastery was Father Kallinikos, who is buried in the founder’s tomb inside the church. After his death, the monastery was abandoned until restoration work began in October 1998 with the support of local residents. Currently, a single hieromonk resides at the monastery.

The monastery’s katholikon (main church) is dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos. An inscription indicates it was renovated in the 18th century, alongside other restoration work on the complex. A tomb, likely belonging to the founder, is located in the center of the church, with the founder’s coat of arms imprinted on the cover slab. Only two buildings from the 18th-19th centuries remain from the original monastery, with the rest being modern constructions from the 21st century.

Connection to Karakalou Monastery

The monastery’s connection to Karakalou Monastery on Mount Athos dates back to the Ottoman period. Facing challenges under Ottoman rule, the monastery was granted to Karakalou, becoming a dependency (Metochi). This transfer also marked its transition from a nunnery to a monastery for monks. The first documented reference to the monastery is found in the codex of Karakalou Monastery.

Key Points

• Construction Period: Late 15th – early 16th century
• Location: Margarites, Crete, Greece (30km south of Rethymno)
• Historical Significance: Originally a nunnery, later a dependency of Karakalou Monastery on Mount Athos. Associated with Saint Gideon.
• Current Status: Restored and active, inhabited by a caretaker