St. John Monastery

This is perhaps the most beautiful monastery on the island. It is surrounded by a pine forest, at the outskirts of Kalithies village and it celebrates its namesake saint on August 29, the day the Saint was decapitated. The day is considered a day of mourning and it is accompanied by strict fasting. The monastery is a magical scenery with stone tables and hosts many events and wedding celebrations. On the day of the Saint’s celebration a lot of people from the village camp on the site as it is said that in the morning, just as the sun dawns, the Saint makes an appearance. People wait all night to see this vision. St John was the last and greatest of the Old Testament Prophets, celebrated as a major religious figure. He is also called John the Forerunner because with his words and his work he announced Jesus’ coming and prepared the people for Jesus’ ministry. He was called Baptist because he baptized people in river Jordan and baptized Jesus himself. He lived an ascetic life in the desert and never hesitated to criticize the injustice and ethics of his era. This became the reason for his arrest and incarceration by King Herod who was illegally living with his brother’s wife, Herodiade. She convinced her daughter, Salome, to order John’s death and the King granted her wish by beheading the Baptist.