• Location9 km east of Makry Gialos
• ChurchTwo-aisled cave church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and the Holy Trinity
• BuildingsMonks' cells, guesthouse, dining hall, kitchen, storerooms, cistern for rainwater collection
• SurroundingsSurrounded by large and small caves

The Monastery of Saint John the Baptist at Kapsa is located approximately 9 km east of Makry Gialos and west of the impressive Perivolakion Gorge, set amidst a landscape of natural beauty and tranquility. This two-aisled cave church, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and the Holy Trinity, stands out for its unique architecture and rich history. The monastery’s buildings are constructed on four levels, including monks’ cells, a guesthouse, a dining hall, a kitchen, storerooms, and a large cistern for rainwater collection, making the monastery a significant architectural and historical destination.

The surroundings of the monastery are equally impressive, with large and small caves that add to the mystical atmosphere of the area. While the exact date of the monastery’s foundation is unknown, it is closely linked to Saint Joseph Gerontoyiannis, a figure who shaped its current form. According to tradition, Saint Joseph rebuilt the monastery in the 19th century and became deeply associated with the region due to his spirituality and miracles.

Saint Joseph Gerontogiannis, or John the Baptist, was born in 1799 in one of the cells of the ruined monastery where his parents Emmanuel and Zambia had gone to protect themselves from the Turkish raids. When the situation calm settled in the village Lithines. John grew up, married Kalliopi, from the family of Gerontakides and together they had three children. Due to his unpalatable character he was hunted by the Turks and ended up living with his family in the Pervolaki gorge.

One day, they left their children alone and went to the nearby villages of the area. When they returned they saw the debilitated body of their little daughter Irene. John considered the death of his daughter a divine punishment and turned to the way of God for the sake of remission of sins.According to the local tradition, at the age of 42 he fell into a deep sleep of 43 hours and when he awoke happy and peaceful, he saw a crowd around him and a paralyzed old lady who reached out his hand, whispering to her ear and then healing. His miracle soon became known, and so many people were heading to see him.

The Turks again did not see Gerontogiannis in good spirits, and for this reason he found himself in the house of a Greek in Sitia until the Turkish commander decided for his fortune. But the governor's child grew heavily, and John healed him, leaving him free and in gratitude to give him many gifts.
Gerontogiannis, listening to the advice of the bishop of Iera and Sitia Hilarion, to avoid a new incident with the Turks who still did not see him with good eyes, left the village and settled in 1841 in the desolated Kapsa Monastery, where he began to restores. In the monastery are the remains of Saint.