Cathedral of the Entry into the Church of the Blessed Virgin (Three Martyrs). The cathedral is located on the main street of the old town, near the Venetian harbor. The cathedral is also called the Three Martyrs (Trimartiri) and is dedicated to St. Nicholas and the Three Hierarchs.
The current cathedral was built on the site of the old church of the Virgin, which dates from the 14th century. During the Turkish occupation of the city in 1645, the temple was transformed into a soap factory, without changing its original design. Until 1868, the temple building belonged to the family of Mustafa Pasha Giritli (Cretan). By his order, the icon of the Mother of God with a constantly lit lamp was buried in one of the warehouses.
According to legend, the soap factory collapsed and was abandoned, the premises were destroyed, and the icon of the Virgin Mary was taken by one of the workers.
When Mustafa Giritli became the Prime Minister of Sultan Majit, the Christian community asked him to give her the land with the remains of a soap factory for the reconstruction of the temple. Mustafa gave in to the request. Sultan Majit and Mustafa's son, Veli Pasha, the then commander-in-chief in Crete, supported the material endeavor. Despite the enmity between Christians and Turks, this contribution was appreciated, and the church was finally rebuilt.
The construction of the church was completed in 1860. The architectural features of the temple are more related to the traditions of construction that have developed during the years of Venetian rule: pseudo-columns, cornices and arches open. The icon of the Mother of God was returned to the church. The interior of the church is decorated with religious paintings by famous Greek artists.
The cathedral is closely connected with the main historical events of Crete, served as a refuge and roof for the inhabitants during the numerous national uprisings. In May 1941 it was badly damaged during the German bombing.
The current cathedral was built on the site of the old church of the Virgin, which dates from the 14th century. During the Turkish occupation of the city in 1645, the temple was transformed into a soap factory, without changing its original design. Until 1868, the temple building belonged to the family of Mustafa Pasha Giritli (Cretan). By his order, the icon of the Mother of God with a constantly lit lamp was buried in one of the warehouses.
According to legend, the soap factory collapsed and was abandoned, the premises were destroyed, and the icon of the Virgin Mary was taken by one of the workers.
When Mustafa Giritli became the Prime Minister of Sultan Majit, the Christian community asked him to give her the land with the remains of a soap factory for the reconstruction of the temple. Mustafa gave in to the request. Sultan Majit and Mustafa's son, Veli Pasha, the then commander-in-chief in Crete, supported the material endeavor. Despite the enmity between Christians and Turks, this contribution was appreciated, and the church was finally rebuilt.
The construction of the church was completed in 1860. The architectural features of the temple are more related to the traditions of construction that have developed during the years of Venetian rule: pseudo-columns, cornices and arches open. The icon of the Mother of God was returned to the church. The interior of the church is decorated with religious paintings by famous Greek artists.
The cathedral is closely connected with the main historical events of Crete, served as a refuge and roof for the inhabitants during the numerous national uprisings. In May 1941 it was badly damaged during the German bombing.
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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