Reference: Crete, Cretians
Morish
Large island about midway between Syria and Malta. It was the inhabitants of this island who had the evil report of being alway liars and lazy gluttons, according to one of their own poets (Epimenides). Some from Crete were present on the day of Pentecost. Ac 2:11. The ship in which Paul started for Rome visited the island. Ac 27:7-21. Paul left Titus at Crete to set things in order and ordain elders. Tit 1:5,12.
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Cretes and Arabians we hear them speaking, in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God?
For many days we sailed slowly; and having with difficulty come off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to go further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, off Salmone: and coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which is the city of Lasea. read more. But, after much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous, for the fast was already past, Paul admonished them, saying: Men, I perceive that this voyage will be with damage and much loss, not only to the cargo and the ship, but also to our lives. But the centurion had more confidence in the pilot, and in the owner of the ship, than in the things which were spoken by Paul. And as the harbor was not commodious to winter in, the majority advised that they should put to sea from that place also, if, by any means, they might reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a harbor of Crete, lying toward the south-west and north-west. And when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had gained their object, they launched the ship, and ran along close to the shore of Crete. But in a little time a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon, blew against it. And the ship being caught and unable to bear up against the wind, we committed it to the gale, and were driven along. And running under the lee of a certain island called Clauda, we with difficulty secured the boat. When they had taken it up, they used helps, undergirding the ship. And fearing lest they should fall into the quicksand, they lowered the mast, and thus were driven along. And as we were greatly tossed by the tempest, on the next day they threw overboard the cargo; and on the third day, with our own hands, we threw out the tackling of the ship. And as neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay upon us, all hope of our being saved was at length taken away. But, after long abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them, and said: men, you ought to have been persuaded by me, and not to have put to sea from Crete; and you would have avoided this damage and loss.
I left you in Crete for this purpose, that you might set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I commanded you:
One of themselves, a prophet of their own, has said: The Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, lazy gluttons.