Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Αντωνίου Ρεθύμνου The Church of Saint Antony, Rethymnon:

Saint Antony of Egypt, celebrated throughout the church. He is the key figure among the Desert Fathers and is regarded as the Father of Monasticism (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Inside the tiny Church of Saint Antony in the heart of the old town in Rethymnon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Looking out onto the streets of Rethymnon from the small church (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Saint Antony's Church is tucked into a corner of Rethymnon, set back from a restaurant and behind trees (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

A map of Rethymnon on the wall of Havesiliki, beside Saint Antony's Church (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

Today (17 January) is the Feast of Saint Antony of Egypt, celebrated throughout the church. He is the key figure among the Desert Fathers and is regarded as the Father of Monasticism.

The tiny, beautiful Church of Saint Antony (Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Αντωνίου) in Rethymnon is on the corner of Mousourou street and Tombazi street, facing the east end of Rethymnon’s Cathedral and the cathedral bell tower, virtually opposite the Bishop’s Palace.

The church is tucked in behind tall trees and Havesiliki, a small restaurant on the street corner, so that few tourists ever notice and even fewer wander in to experience its peace and calm.

I used one of these photographs in my prayer diary on my blog this morning (here).