Crete has been amazing so far, and yesterday we paid a visit to the Holy Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring Chrysopigi in Chania. It was founded in the sixteenth century by Ioannis Chartophylax and is dedicated to the Lady of the life-giving spring. The structure was abandoned during the Greek revolution in the 1820s until 1848. Since 1976, the monastery and surrounding land has been conserved by the sisters of the community, who are responsible for the many frescos, tapestry, and icon paintings. The monastic lands act as a nature preserve, and the many olive, fig, orange, and avocado trees are cultivated organically. This is something that it is difficult to find in the United States. When we arrived, we were led into the main church structure and it was hard not to notice the beautiful works of art that adorn the halls.

On the floor as you enter, there is a mosaic of the Greek word” Xaipete”, which means “welcome” and was the first word Christ said to his Disciples when we was resurrected. We were given a nice tour of the monastery and the sisters were very generous as they gave us fresh juice, Greek coffee, and a dish made of rose pedals. We were shown living quarters, chapels, and so much more. As we left the newer buildings we visited the smaller and older monastery where we explored the small courtyard and took a few pictures from the roof. Earlier in the day, we had learned about the geopolitics of religion in the region and it is easy to tell that Orthodox Christianity is a central pillar in Greek culture and identity. As our trip to Cyprus looms ahead, I can’t help but to feel privileged and lucky to have the opportunity to travel and learn in the eastern Mediterranean. The past few days has been unforgettable, and I am very excited for Cyprus and Athens soon afterwards.

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EC Eastern Security Studies Program

In the summer of 2011, as the "Arab Spring" was unfolding and the "Eurozone Crisis" was entering its second year, the Emmanuel College Eastern Mediterranean Security Studies Program was established in Crete, as a way to make the location the classroom. Beyond the grand theoretical, historical and political understanding that can be achieved through reading and classroom discussion and exchange, a more immediate, intimate and truer appreciation of the complexities can only achieved by experiencing the cultures, languages of personal interaction.

Since 2012 students have been able to combine an intensive curricular study, with the experience of immersion and living in a local setting. The geopolitical and geoeconomic forces that have acted in the region for centuries, can be identified in the classroom, but they can only be understood by being there. This year's EC EMSS Program will add a fourth week of study, experience and exploration and will also travel to the islands of Rhodes, and Cyprus. In Rhodes we will be partnering with the Prefecture of Southern Aegean and the Aegean University, while in Cyprus we will be hosted by the University of Nicosia.