R e t h y m n o n   M i s i r i a   -   C r e t e   -   G r e e c e Misiria is one of the former villages which nowadays are melted into the town of  Rethymnon. The rural commune is located east of the city approx. midway to Rethymnon's suburb of  Adelianos Campos, where most of the bigger hotels concentrate.     By the Municipalities Reorganization Law of 1973, Misiria became an own parish as well. Considering the number of members Misiria is a large parish, but regrettably not a wealthy one. Most of the inhabitants belong to the former Greek population of Asia Minor who were compulsorily transferred from the today's country of Turkey at the beginning of the 20th century.     They had to leave their fields, pastures and houses behind which they gained by the work of centuries, and being expellees now to build up new livings, mostly at those places of the island where no agriculture existed until that time as the soils could be cultivated only with enormous efforts. When tourism discovered  Crete and the town of Rethymnon, hotel sites have been built at the more wealthy places such as Rethymnon City and Adelianos Campos.   The inhabitants of Misiria however did not have the money to participate in building up the tourism business. So up to the present day, the conspicuous gap between the city and it's hotel suburb still exists. In 1994, they finally could start building a church in Misiria which shall also enclose a community centre with a hall for cultural events.     All members of the congregation attempted big efforts, and since some months the ground floor can be used for the worship service. The top floor including the staircases, the community centre on the basement floor, and the outdoor facilities are however still missing. In spite of all endeavours neither the church nor the community centre could be accomplished yet. It is just the required money which is missing.   There is also the fact that during the construction process several cost-pushing things occured which had not been known in the beginning. Most topical is the problem about the water from the rainfalls during the winter. The ground-water table actually is deep enough, but from higher levels on the neighbouring properties rainwater runs through gaps and chinks and then penetrates into the basement floor of the church.     Again, the entire building needs to be excavated more than 4 metres deep, and a drainage system has to be installed that shall channel the seeping water off. Only then they can start to establish the community centre on the basement floor and to complete the outdoor installations. Again, an additional five-digit Euros amount is required. And Father Pantelis, the initiator of the building project and tireless fundraiser, starts to ask himself whether he will ever witness the completion of his lifework.   The Parish of Peter and Paul in Misiria appeal for help from Christians all over the world: We are not able to achieve our aim of giving our large parish it's own church and community centre on our own resources. Please help us with your charity in order to enable us to create a place of devotion and meeting for our congregation.     Please also attend our divine service on Sunday morning if you should spend your holidays in the area, and get an idea of the situation. You and your family are welcome any time. We are looking forward to your visit, and if you can give some coins in the offering box we will be even more glad. Even the smallest amount will help!   Text & photos: Ingo H. Dietrich     Father Pantelis Flouris, Archpriest G. Kourmouli 52 GR-74100 Rethymnon Phone (0030) 28310 51931 Office (0030) 28310 23410 Mobile (0030) 6977 501868 E-mail to  The Holy Church of St. Peter & Paul   Being a regular church congregation, the Parish of Peter and Paul in Misiria is by the way entitled to issue tax-deductible receipts for contributions.   Donation account: Bank Place Account no. IBAN BIC National Bank of Greece Branch of Rethymnon GR-74100 Rethymnon 756 54 002 288 GR54 0110 7560 0000 7565 4002 288 ETHNGRAA   In 1999, the internet presentation of the Parish of Peter and Paul has been one of the very first web sites for a Greek Orthodox church. To view the earliest version, please click  here. You are visitor #   3 4 5 7 8   View the guestbook Sign the guestbook Recommend this site to a friend Web design and hosting are donations by The Internet Catalog of Crete Car Rental

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