Churches Chapels and Chaplets

This set of pictures are taken along a stretch of road from the east side of the Akrotiri Peninsula about half way back towards Stavros. My goal is to take photographs along all the other roads on Akrotiri as well. So, I hope to have many more installments like this one.

All of these are Greek Orthodox Churches. As far as I can tell, all the churches here are Greek Orthodox except for a few Roman Catholic Churches and a Synagogue in Chania.

Most of the churches are very small. Many people stand outside during services. There are no pews. Some chairs are available but many people stand. Sometimes the service is on loud speakers so people out side can hear. I can't say much more because I have never attended a service. We are looking forward to attending one next weekend with friend who is Greek Orthodox. So I will have a better description later on.

My understanding is that chapels are built by private citizens in their yards or at their places of business. They are typically dedicated to a saint and or a loved one. On the saint day that corresponds to the saint that the chapel (or church) is dedicated to there is a feast day held at the chapel. Some of the chapels are consecrated by a priest in a ceremony that takes much preparation, similar to a wedding. This is hear say, I haven't actually attended one.

The Chaplets sometimes called "churches on a stick" are usually to commemorate a loved one. Sometimes they are located at a home or business and other times along side a road or other public spot. My understanding is that they commemorate a loved one that has passed away. I'm told the ones along side the road are located where someone passed away. Our Chaplet is dedicated to the Holy Trinity because it is modeled after a church by that name. It was made by a local artist. It is not dedicated to any one person. If you look inside you will see a picture of Mary and Jesus on a small doily, a replica of a small Minoan pot, and a 3 spot playing card (Grier's addition) for the Trinity. I plan to put a candle in it someday. Most churches, chapels and chapels have a candle or other light inside.

We have seen so many charming churches, chapels and Chaplets that I get them mixed up. I think I'll just have to include pictures of them here and there in blogs without much explanation because I have lost track!

Another delightful thing is that chapels are often placed on the top of mountains in very lonely spots and in caves. This comes from a very long tradition of locating sanctuaries on mountain tops and in caves dating back at least 5,000 years.