Question: Attacks by pirates and Islamic forces brought terror to the people, but Cretans remained loyal to the Orthodox Church throughout the Arab occupation of a.d. 824-961.
Cretans didn't remain loyal to the Orthodox Church during the Arab occupation.

Answer: no

Question: But this seems unlikely to be effective.
It doesn't seem likely that it will be effective.

Answer: yes

Question: The female's nose is an unremarkable little snub, but zoologists say that she appreciates, and is even aroused by, the male's proboscis.
The female's nose is tiny but highly sensitive.

Answer:
it is not possible to tell