In Marathokefala just a little further from the villas, there is a cave which has been built in a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Hermit. The Cave of St. John the Hermit or Xenou, is located above the Avlaki Gorge of Akrotiri, Chania.
A story has it that St. John was thirsty and looked for water in the cave. Because he did not find any he put his sword deep into the rock where water started to run until today.
Another legend has it that St. John the Hermit came from Egypt and lived in Azogires area, when he was enchanted by the beauty of the cave and decided to leave the 98 Fathers who stayed in Azogires (16th century according to one version).
Saint John is said to be the founder of the Catholic Monastery, perhaps the oldest monastery in Crete (maybe 6 or 7 century AD). While praying, he hit his stick of the rock and sanctified water started flowing ever since. The spring does not dry up, whatever quantity people get. Blind, deaf, kidney patients have been cured with that water, according to the legend.
Every year on Christmas Eve, the citizens of the village make the complete representation of the birth of Christ.
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