ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΑ ΜΝΗΜΕΙΑ Ι.Μ.Ι.Σ. ENG

64
T
he Monastery of Exakousti [‘the Renowned’] is located in the northwest part of the
province of Ierapetra between the settlements of Anatoli and Malles. Compared
with other monasteries in the vicinity, such as the All-Holy Virgin of Armos at Malles and
the All-Holy Virgin the Karydiani [‘of the Walnuts’] at Mythoi, it is a relatively recent
monastic foundation since it was founded at the end of the 19th century. Of course, the
existence, already during the period of its foundation, of the small
cavernous church of the Transfiguration of Christ, as well as some
local traditions, offer an indication that there may have been an
older monastery in the same location. The foundation of the
monastery during the late 19th century has been inextricably connected with its first
monk and, later abbot, Chatzi-Ananias Barberakis, who, in 1882, completed the singlenave
catholicon, dedicated to the All-Holy Virgin while at the same time he built the
ne cessary buildings for his and the other monks’ habitation. The monastery was deemed
to be in dissolution in the year 1935 and
was abandoned until 1963 when it
became active again for a short time. Its
final reconstitution took place in 1976
when, after its conversion into a female
monastery, the first nuns became resident
in the space. The building complex
develops around a courtyard with the
catholicon at its centre. Noteworthy is the
very well crafted wood-carved altar
screen, work of the noted artisans, P. and
I. Makrakis, and X. Farsaris, from the
settlement of Mesa in Lasithi.
HOLY MONASTERY
OF EXAKOUSTI
Christ the Saviour. Upper (Pano) Karkasa.
T
he single-nave, particularly spacious, church of St. George is located
on the eastern boundary of the ruined and long-abandoned village
of Loutra, a kilometre to the south of the settlement of Malles.
Externally, on its north side, it
forms three semi-circular blind
arcades while former sections
are incorporated in the lower
section of the walls, an indication
SAINT GEORGE
AT MALLES
that it was built in place of a previous building, possibly middle Byzantine.
In the interior, it is formed with three pointed, blind arcades on each of the
longitudinal sides and has wall painting decoration of the 14th century.
The iconographic programme of the church includes a large Gospel cycle
with emphasis on the cycle of the Passions. From the remaining
representations, of particular interest is the representation of the imposing
dragon-slayer St. George, whose miniature scenes of martyrdom are
depicted on the intrados of the arch; next to them, on the pier, is the All-
Holy Virgin the Galaktotrofousa [‘the Milk-giver’], and, on the east arch,
the realistic depiction of the haggard St. Onoufrios. Also worthy of mention
is the representation of the communion of St. Mary of Egypt by Abba
Zosimas on the west arch of the south wall, with the figures flanking either
side of the doorframe.
Right: St. George the Dragon-slayer.