This church is on the main path of Samaria gorge, 4km from the entrance. It was built in the 18th century on the site of an ancient open-air sanctuary, that has been revealed by excavations.
The practice of religious rites in nature was particularly common in Crete from Minoan times. The temple was used continuously, attested by bronze coins, drinking vessels and Roman lamps with relief patterns.
The natural formation of the rock has created a bench for deposing offerings like clay pots and figurines, small votive bronze and iron arrowheads and spearheads. A small hearth with rests of ashes and animal bones was found next to the rock, suggesting a place of sacrifice.