Moni Epanosifi, Orthodox monastery in Metaxochori, Greece
Moni Epanosifi is an Orthodox monastery located in central Crete, featuring traditional Byzantine architectural elements and religious structures. It sits in a rural setting and shows the typical layout of a mountain monastery with stone buildings arranged around a central church.
The monastery was founded in 1614 by monk Paisios, who said he received guidance from Saint George. It survived under both Venetian and Turkish rule and continues to exist today.
The monastery holds religious objects that visitors can see today, including sacred texts and carved crosses. These pieces show how faith has been practiced and expressed in this place over time.
The monastery can be visited, though it's best to check opening times and access conditions beforehand. The busiest times are during the two annual celebrations honoring Saint George on April 23 and November 3, when the site draws more visitors.
The monastery's name comes from a local feudal lord who distinguished between two shepherds both named Sifis by calling one Epano and the other Kato. This everyday detail from village life became the name of the monastery founded centuries later.
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