In Crete, the biggest island of Greece, between the cities of Heraklion and Rethymnon spreads the historic province of Mylopotamos. There, in the village of Kalandares, is a unique chapel dedicated to the Secret Supper of the Lord, perhaps the only Orthodox church in the world dedicated to the Secret Supper, a central event of our salvation and the Passion of the Lord. Locally this chapel is known as the Church of the Holy Table (“Hagia Trapeza”), and celebrates its primary feast on Holy and Great Thursday.
In the gorge of Kalandares there are three chapels, one of which, the Holy Apostles, belongs to the early Christian period, while the other two, the cave church of Saint Paraskevi and the Church of the Holy Table, were built during the Venetian occupation (1205-1669). The Holy Apostles is the first chapel that one encounters while crossing the gorge. It is located on the eastern bank of the river. Going down, we come across the cave in which the Chapel of Saint Paraskevi is located with a water source inside, as well as the first documented archaeological findings which are tombs of the Greco-Roman period. The Church of the Holy Table has been restored by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Rethymno.
Despite the uniqueness of this chapel, very few know of its existence, and even in Crete not many know about it. To remedy this, over the past few years, additional work is being carried out in the area surrounding the pilgrimage site so that, as the parish priest of the local parish, Father Polychronis Batalis, says, it will have easier access and allow the faithful to visit it. The work in progress is being supervised by the local Metropolitan and Mayor.
In the gorge of Kalandares there are three chapels, one of which, the Holy Apostles, belongs to the early Christian period, while the other two, the cave church of Saint Paraskevi and the Church of the Holy Table, were built during the Venetian occupation (1205-1669). The Holy Apostles is the first chapel that one encounters while crossing the gorge. It is located on the eastern bank of the river. Going down, we come across the cave in which the Chapel of Saint Paraskevi is located with a water source inside, as well as the first documented archaeological findings which are tombs of the Greco-Roman period. The Church of the Holy Table has been restored by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Rethymno.
Despite the uniqueness of this chapel, very few know of its existence, and even in Crete not many know about it. To remedy this, over the past few years, additional work is being carried out in the area surrounding the pilgrimage site so that, as the parish priest of the local parish, Father Polychronis Batalis, says, it will have easier access and allow the faithful to visit it. The work in progress is being supervised by the local Metropolitan and Mayor.
