Summary

The Municipality of Apokoronas, together with local cultural and religious organisations, is holding a memorial event on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in the village of Vafes to honour the victims of the Kryonerides cave massacre, which took place on August 9, 1821. The day begins at 9:00 with a church service next to the cave itself and continues with prayers, a wreath-laying ceremony, and a talk by author Evmorfia Bountouraki-Vagyaki at the old village school. The event closes in the late afternoon with sporting competitions for all ages, also held in memory of the victims.

Remembering the Victims of Kryonerides: A Day of Memory in Vafes

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, the village of Vafes in Apokoronas will come together to remember the victims of one of Crete's most painful episodes from the Greek War of Independence. A full day of commemorative events has been organised to mark the anniversary of the massacre at the Kryonerides cave, which occurred on August 9, 1821.

The event is co-organised by the Municipality of Apokoronas, the Cultural Association of Vafes, the non-profit foundation "Agia Sofia", and the Federation of Apokoronas Associations in Attica.

What Happened at Kryonerides?

The cave of Kryonerides, set in the hills near Vafes, is a site of profound historical weight for the region. In 1821, during the Greek struggle for independence from Ottoman rule, a group of local people sought refuge in the cave and were massacred there. The annual commemoration keeps this memory alive and pays tribute to those who lost their lives.

Programme for Sunday, August 16, 2026

9:00 — Divine Liturgy at the chapel of Agios Ioannis o Eremitis (Saint John the Hermit), located next to the Kryonerides cave

10:00 — Memorial prayer for the victims at the entrance to the cave

10:30 — Memorial prayer for those who fell in the national struggles, at the village war memorial on the central square, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony

11:00 — Welcome addresses from the organisers at the old school building

11:30 — Talk by author Evmorfia Bountouraki-Vagyaki at the old school building in Vafes

After the talk — Traditional refreshments provided by the Municipality of Apokoronas

17:30 — Sporting competitions for children and adults, held in memory of the victims, at the old school building in Vafes

Who Is Behind the Event?

The invitation is signed by Mayor of Apokoronas Charalampos Koukianakis, Metropolitan of Kydonia and Apokoronas Titos Tampakakis (as president of the "Agia Sofia" foundation), Ioannis Terezakis (president of the Federation of Apokoronas Associations in Attica), and Emmanouel Voutsadakis (president of the Cultural Association of Vafes).

All residents of Apokoronas and visitors to the area are warmly invited to attend.

INVITATION TO A MEMORIAL EVENT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE KRYONERIDES CAVE

in Vafes, Apokoronas, Sunday, August 16, 2026

On the occasion of the anniversary of the holocaust at the Kryonerides Cave in Vafes (August 9, 1821), the Municipality of Apokoronas, the Cultural Association of Vafes, the non-profit foundation "Agia Sofia" and the Federation of Apokoronas Associations in Attica invite you to a memorial event for the victims of the Kryonerides cave, to be held in Vafes on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

The event includes:

Sunday, August 16, 2026:

9:00 — Divine Liturgy at Agios Ioannis o Eremitis (Saint John the Hermit), next to the Kryonerides cave.
10:00 — Memorial prayer in memory of the victims at the entrance to the cave.
10:30 — Memorial prayer in memory of those who fell in the national struggles at the War Memorial (central village square) and wreath-laying.
11:00 — Welcome address from the organisers at the old school building.
11:30 — Talk by author Evmorfia Bountouraki-Vagyaki at the old school building in Vafes.
Traditional refreshments provided by the Municipality of Apokoronas.
17:30 — Sporting competitions for young and old in memory of the victims at the old school building in Vafes.

Co-organisers: Municipality of Apokoronas, Cultural Association of Vafes, Non-profit Foundation "Agia Sofia", Federation of Apokoronas Associations in Attica.

Your presence would honour us greatly.

With respect,

The Mayor of Apokoronas, Charalampos Koukianakis

The President of the Non-profit Foundation "Agia Sofia", Metropolitan of Kydonia and Apokoronas, Titos Tampakakis

The President of the Federation of Apokoronas Associations in Attica, Ioannis Terezakis

The President of the Cultural Association of Vafes, Emmanouel Voutsadakis

The production and transportation of the wreaths will be the responsibility of the participating organisations.

PRESS RELEASE — MEMORIAL EVENT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE KRYONERIDES CAVE in Vafes, Apokoronas, Sunday, August 16, 2026

Published: August 13, 2026, 11:40 AM

On the occasion of the anniversary of the holocaust at the Kryonerides Cave in Vafes (August 9, 1821), the Municipality of Apokoronas, the Cultural Association of Vafes, the non-profit foundation "Agia Sofia" and the Federation of Apokoronas Associations in Attica are organising a memorial event for the victims of the Kryonerides cave, to be held in Vafes on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

The event includes:

Sunday, August 16, 2026:

9:00 — Divine Liturgy at Agios Ioannis o Eremitis, next to the Kryonerides cave.
10:00 — Memorial prayer in memory of the victims at the entrance to the cave.
10:30 — Memorial prayer in memory of those who fell in the national struggles at the War Memorial (central village square) and wreath-laying.
11:00 — Welcome address from the organisers at the old school building.
11:30 — Talk by author Evmorfia Bountouraki-Vagyaki at the old school building in Vafes.
Traditional refreshments provided by the Municipality of Apokoronas.
17:30 — Sporting competitions for young and old in memory of the victims at the old school building in Vafes.

Co-organisers: Municipality of Apokoronas, Cultural Association of Vafes, Non-profit Foundation "Agia Sofia", Federation of Apokoronas Associations in Attica.

Download invitation: KRYONERIDES CAVE VAFES 2026