Chania Monastery of Chrissopigi

Location: Town

The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Chrissopigi is located just 3 km south of the center of Chania Town, on the road to the port of Souda. Dedicated to the Panagia Zoodochos Pigi (Virgin Mary of the Life-Giving Spring), it was founded towards the tail end of the 16th century, during the Venetian rule of the island. Its founder, Ioannis Chartophylakas, was a physician and a philosopher, and one of the most influential figures in Chania at the time.

Quickly after its establishment, the Monastery of Chrissopigi developed into a significant spiritual center, with many monks and a rich library. It continued to flourish In the 17th century after the Ottomans had occupied the island, contributing to the education of the islanders. In 1654 it became a Patriarchal Stravropegic Monastery, meaning that it was directly dependent on the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. However, by 1821, the time of the Greek Revolution, the monastery had been destroyed and completely abandoned.

It didn't take long for the monastery to reclaim its old glory, with renovation works beginning as early as 1848 and new monks coming to stay. During the Second World War, it was transformed by the German forces into their administrative headquarters, displacing the monks that lived there and causing major architectural damage. It would then see a period of steady decline, until Mother Theosemni settled there in 1976, along with the first two sisters of the present-day sisterhood. Thus the monastery became a community of nuns and would subsequently be renovated.

Today, the monastery continues to thrive, housing a large convent of sisters who are engaged in painting, preservation of old books and icons, bookbinding, and embroidery. It celebrates its feast day on Easter Friday and welcomes thousands of pilgrims every year on this day. The pilgrims come to pay their respect to the holy icon of the Virgin Mary that is housed inside its walls, which is said to have miraculous abilities. One can also visit the two museums found on the grounds of the monastery, an ecclesiastical museum displaying religious artifacts, and a folk museum that showcases everyday items, tools, and traditional wear.

The Monastery of Chrissopigi is open to visitors daily, from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 15:30 to 18:00.