- Chania Police forbid pedestrians from walking along the VOAK highway to reach the Church of Agios Fanourios on August 26 and 27.
- Pilgrims walking on foot must use a designated inland detour: Megala Chorafia – Aptera – Stylos – Neo Chorio – Agii Pantes interchange – Old National Road to the south church entrance.
- Stopping, parking, or setting up vendor stalls along the shoulders of the VOAK highway is strictly prohibited under current road safety legislation.
- Chania Traffic Police and VOAK units will maintain heavy patrols to enforce compliance and ensure public safety during the peak holiday traffic.
The feast of Agios Fanourios in Apokoronas is one of the most significant religious and cultural events in the Chania region, drawing thousands of visitors. Historically, this has led to a dangerous tradition: people parking their cars on the highway shoulder and walking directly across the VOAK to reach the church.
That ends now.
The Hellenic Police, in coordination with the Municipality of Apokoronas and the Church, have implemented strict, non-negotiable traffic measures. The VOAK is a high-speed motorway. Treating it like a village square is a severe safety hazard, and authorities are no longer willing to tolerate the risk of fatal accidents.
Alternative Route (Use It)
If you are attending the festival on foot, you cannot approach from the highway. You must use the designated alternative road network. The official route is:
Megala Chorafia → Apterous → Stylos → Neo Chorio → Agion Panton junction → Old National Road, which will lead you safely to the south entrance of the Church of Agios Fanourios.
Plan your navigation accordingly. Do not attempt to shortcut this route via the highway on foot.
Zero Tolerance for Vehicles
The crackdown applies to drivers as well. Under current traffic legislation (Law 5209/2025), the following are strictly prohibited and will be actively enforced:
- No Stopping or Parking: Absolutely no vehicles are allowed to stop or park on the VOAK roadway or its shoulder.
- No Unauthorized Stalls: The placement of vendor stalls, tables, or any other installations on the highway shoulder is forbidden.
The Chania Traffic Police will be conducting increased, highly visible checkpoints in the area to ensure compliance. If you park illegally on the highway, you will be fined, and your vehicle may be towed.
If you are planning to experience this beautiful local tradition, do it safely.
- Drivers: Park in designated, off-highway areas well in advance of the church.
- Pedestrians: Follow the signed alternative route. Do not walk on the VOAK.
- Everyone: Follow the instructions of the police officers on the ground. They are there to prevent tragedies, not to ruin your festival experience.
Whether the restrictions will be universally observed is, of course, another matter. Anyone familiar with summer traffic in Crete will understand that an official announcement and actual road behavior can occasionally be two very different things.
The Saint of Lost Things
If you have ever lost your keys, your wallet, or your patience in Greek bureaucracy, you have probably heard the name. Agios Fanourios (Saint Fanourios) is widely venerated in the Greek Orthodox Church as the patron saint of lost things.
His name derives from the Greek verb fanero (φανερώνω), meaning “to reveal” or “to make visible.” According to tradition, his icon was discovered in the ruins of a church on Cyprus centuries ago, miraculously well-preserved. On the icon, he is depicted as a young Roman soldier, and the scenes around him illustrate various martyrdoms he endured.
The most beloved tradition associated with his feast day (August 27) is the baking of Fanouropita. This is a special, dense, vegan-style sponge cake (made without eggs, butter, or dairy) that is blessed in church and then shared with friends, family, and neighbors.
The recipe traditionally calls for 41 ingredients (or sometimes fewer, depending on the family), symbolizing the 41 tortures he allegedly endured. It is customary to offer a slice to someone who doesn’t know the saint’s story, thereby “revealing” his name and memory to them.
In Crete, the veneration of Agios Fanourios is particularly strong. The festival in Apokoronas is not just a religious observance; it is a massive community gathering that blends deep faith with traditional Cretan hospitality, music, and food. For locals, it is a moment to give thanks, find what was lost, and come together as a community.
