Just off the main road to Balos Beach, near the port of Kissamos, stands the small but historically rich Church of Saint John Damialis. You might miss it if you’re not looking carefully; after all, it’s half-hidden under a dramatic rock overhang that almost seems to cradle it in stone. But this small, centuries-old church holds some big stories.
A SACRED SITE DATING BACK TO THE 10TH CENTURY | A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE | CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITION | CHURCH’S LOCATION
A Sacred Site Dating Back to the 10th Century
The site goes back to the 10th century, and according to local tradition, it was founded by Saint John the Stranger, a revered figure in Crete. Legend says he once sought shelter in the nearby cave for a single night, a simple event that marked the spot with spiritual significance.
The church built here later became one of the oldest known in the area. Though it was destroyed during the 1866 uprisings under Turkish rule, it was faithfully rebuilt in 1946.
The Origin of the Name: “Ali’s Damia”
An interesting fact is also how this church got its name. During the Ottoman occupation, a shepherd named Ali kept his stable, called ‘damia’ in the local dialect of the time, in the cave next to the church. So over time, the site became known as “Ali’s damia” to distinguish it from other churches dedicated to Saint John the Stranger.
A Spiritual Experience at Damialis Beach
Beside the church, there’s a small cave and a narrow tunnel guiding visitors to the quiet, pebbled shore of Damialis Beach. Locals believe the church and cave are places where quiet miracles have unfolded.
A Unique Christmas Eve Tradition in Crete
The most special time of the year is the evening of December 24th. On Christmas Eve, the cave comes alive with the Christmas Mass, a tradition that brings worshippers. The humble setting adds to the depth of the occasion, transforming the cave into something profoundly spiritual.