Karines

For the visitor:

Holy Temples

Timios Stavros The church of the Honorable Cross is the Cathedral of the village, built in 1960, and it is of the cruciform basilica style. The North aisle is dedicated to Saint Eustratius, and the South aisle to Saint Barbara. The current temple was constructed on the site of an older one, unfortunately demolished in 1959. The old temple was a cruciform basilica dedicated to Archistratigos Michael, the Honorable Cross (Exaltation), and Saint Barbara. The only artifacts preserved from this temple are icons: Archistratigos Michael, Saint John the Forerunner, Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Exaltation of the Honorable Cross, an image of the Resurrection, a part of the central Cross of the iconostasis, an old Gospel printed in Venice, and a bell with depictions found buried near the southern wall of the demolished temple. Numerous graves were discovered during the demolition, both inside and outside the temple, some belonging to clergy. Gerola provides a photograph of the old bell tower, the oldest in the prefecture of Rethymno, with an inscription naming the founder as FRANGIA VLASTO and the date 1601.

Agios Georgios (within the village) A sacred Byzantine temple within the village, now in ruins due to ground subsidence. Only the north wall and parts of the west wall are preserved, with depictions of the founders holding a small church, according to Gerola. The iconography and parts of the temple have been removed by the archaeological service and are kept in the Cathedral.

Agios Georgios in "Kefala" The sacred temple of Saint George is located in the area of "Kefala," a Byzantine temple that belonged to the sacred monastery of Arsani but currently requires maintenance.

Panagio in "Petra" The sacred temple of Panagia (Virgin Mary) – Nativity of the Theotokos is located in the area of "Petra," where a settlement existed until the mid-20th century. The central doorframe bears a Venetian coat of arms. Near the temple, a large section of an old tower or "Koule" is preserved, built on a prominent rocky hill. The church is celebrated on September 8, attracting many pilgrims from surrounding villages.

Panagia in "Kalogerado" Northwest of the settlement of Karines, in the location "Kalogerados," stands the church of Panagia from the Venetian era. The temple has recently been restored and renovated. The roof is covered with long wooden shingles throughout. Noteworthy are the shingles of the entrance and the north window. North of the temple and eastwards, until the 1950s, there was a settlement, some houses of which are still preserved.

Agia Paraskevi The sacred temple of Agia Paraskevi is located in the area "Skalomata" or "Skala," within a densely wooded area of oaks and olive trees. The temple is single-aisled, with a vault supported by two pointed arches. It features a wooden iconostasis. West of the temple, there were buildings that served as a refuge for National Resistance fighters during the occupation.

Agios Ioannis in "Kefala" The sacred temple of Saint John the Theologian is located northeast of the settlement of Karines, in the area "Kefala." The temple, along with an old dilapidated complex of cells and common areas, was a dependency of the sacred Monastery of Arsani. The temple is in good condition, featuring a carved stone iconostasis. Near the temple, to the west, is the Byzantine temple of Saint George, also belonging to the sacred Monastery of Arsani, which now requires maintenance.

Panagia in "Keramou" The sacred temple of Panagia is located north of the settlement of Karines, in the area "Keramou," amidst a wonderful natural environment. It was built in the early 1990s by the family of Frangiskos Nikoloudakis. In this location, there used to be a ruined old temple belonging to the Sacred Monastery of Arsani until the mid-20th century, when the monks left, and the property of the monastery passed to the Reserve Fund and then to the residents of Karines.

Karines Elementary School The building of the Karines school is a creation of the early 20th century, with an extension in the interwar period. It functioned as a two-classroom school and, from the late 1970s, as a single-classroom school until its closure in the late 1990s. Efforts are being made by the municipality and the Cultural Association of Karines to maintain and restore it for use as a Cultural and Social Events Hall. The specific building also holds historical significance as the headquarters and meeting place of the captains of the resistance groups during the National Resistance of 1941-1944 in the region of Rethymno.

The village celebrates on September 14 for the Exaltation of the Honorable Cross, attracting residents from nearby villages. Another celebration takes place on September 8 for Panagia in Petra, as well as on August 6 for Christ the Savior, where events of honor and remembrance for the National Resistance and Captain Lemonia (Nikolaos Papadakis) occur.

The people of Karines, although sharp and tough, are hospitable and generous. The old celebrations of the Honorable Cross, lasting an entire week, have left an indelible mark on everyone's memory.