The first Sunday after Easter, which ever date that may fall, is traditionally known as the “Sunday of Thomas”.
Here in Mirabello, it is the day when a tragedy that took place in the cave of Milatos, in 1823, is remembered.
Early in 1823, the residents of the surrounding area took refuge in the Militos Cave to hide from the Turkish troops of Hasan Pasha, who were plundering and pillaging Lassithi.
The Cretan rebel leaders, with a minimal force of about 150 men, fought the Pasha’s large army in and around the cave in a brave defense of the 2,700 local inhabitants.
The fighting went on from February 3 to 15, until the besieged, suffering from extreme hunger and thirst, dared a heroic, but devastating escape. The defending warriors were slaughtered, many of the older ones trampled to death by oncoming Cavalry; the captured children were sold into slavery, and 18 priests were brutally killed or burned to death.
In memorial of those who lost their lives, every Sunday of Thomas, a church service is held by the locals, in the small chapel of Saint Thomas, which is built into the cave, in honour and in memorial of the innocent victims.
The organisation for the annual event is handled by the Milatos Cultural Society, the Agios Nikolaos Council and Regional bodies.