Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost...
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Transcript of Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost...
![Page 1: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.
![Page 2: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
The cathedral stands in a large paved square that seems to be constantly active, with tourists, parishioners visiting the church, children feeding and chasing pigeons (note left of entrance), and walkers strolling in the sunshine.
![Page 3: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
There are no religious services in progress when we visit the cathedral, but people visit continuously to pray and light votive candles.
![Page 4: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
The interior is very impressive – from the architectural elements to the frescoed ceilings that arch high above, and enormous , elaborate chandeliers, each of which must weigh many tons.
![Page 5: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
The sheer size of Ayios Minas is impressive, but the colorful frescoes focus one’s attention on one small area after another.
![Page 6: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
While they are quite recent (19th century), all of the frescoes in the church are in the traditional Byzantine style.
![Page 7: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
The beautiful “iconostasis” at the front of the church is a screen between the church congregation and the altar. During services, only the priest passes through the door to the altar.
![Page 8: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
There are many niches and alcoves to explore throughout the church.
![Page 9: Built during 1862-1895, Ayios Minas is the metropolitan cathedral of Iraklio. It is located almost in the center of the walled city.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070306/5518af2f550346881f8b4e3a/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Outside the cathedral is a rusty bomb on display. This is a German bomb dropped on the cathedral during a devastating aerial attack on Iraklio in 1941. The bomb struck but didn’t explode. People say St. Minas saved his church.