The historic Arkadi Monastery is located the Prefecture of Rethymno in Crete. It was built during the first years of Venetian rule. It was a place of science and art and had a grand library. It was a “beacon” of knowledge, the Greek language, education, and Greek Orthodox tradition. During Ottoman rule in Crete, many Cretan revolutionaries gathered in Arkadi Monastery, which became the hub of the Revolution. Isma’il Pasha requested the surrender of the Monastery from the Abbot of the Monastery, Gavriil Marinakis, or he would otherwise destroy it. So, Marinakis, fortified the Monastery with the help of Colonel Panos Koroneos, who was appointed Field Marshal. On the morning of 8 November 1867 the Turkish army reached the Monastery. On the morning of 9 November 1867, the women and children who were located in the Monastery, hid in the gunpowder warehouse along with Konstantinos Giaboudakis, as a great conflict had preceded. Some men found refuge in the dining room of the Monastery, as well in other places. When the Turks reached the door of the gunpowder warehouse, the Greeks performed the most heroic of deeds, as with the help of Giaboudakis, they ignited the gunpowder kegs, sacrificing themselves and, at the same time, killing many Turks. That deed is proof of the self-sacrifice and love of Greek fighters for the freedom of Faith and Country.
#ΕλληνικόςΣτρατός #HellenicArmy
