Agia Fotini Samareitida Abbey
The abbey is dedicated to Agia Fotini Samareitida and is located in Ellinoperasmata, high on the road to Rogdia, overlooking the beach of Pantanassa.
It was founded in June 1991 on the initiative of the Archbishop of Crete, Timotheos. In the Monastery, the visitor, in addition to the nuns’ cells and the church of Agia Fotini, can also see the chapel of Agios Fanourios and the tomb of its founder.
In the church, the holy relics of Saint Nektarios, Saint Nicodemus of Mount Athos, Saint Porphyry of Kausokalyvitis and Saint Cyril of Gortys are kept. The Monastery celebrates on the 26th February, the Sunday of the Samaritan woman’s celebration.
The Monastery is famous for its remarkable architectural decoration. Geometric shapes, flowers and dolphins decorate the exterior of the building.
Saint Fotini, who came from the city of Sychar in Samaria, used to go to Jacob's well every afternoon to fill her pitcher with water. One day she met Jesus, who revealed her whole life to her, saying that He is "the living water", that is, the inexhaustible source of the Holy Spirit. In this water, she was baptised a Christian, and she was named Fotini. Then, she began the spread of the word of God in Africa and Rome. She was killed by Emperor Nero, along with her sons and five sisters. Evangelist John (D’1-38) refers to her life and martyrdom.