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Agia Mavri Church (Koilani)

29/08/2021
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Between the villages of Koilani and Pera Pedi, on the Cold River banks, there is an ancient church, with unique architecture and history.

The chapel shares the characteristic, sloping roof as seen on the churches of mountainous Limassol. It’s impressively high walls only have very small clerestories and no windows whilst remarkable, ancient frescoes are preserved inside. At the far end of the small temple, reminiscent of early Christian catacombs, there is an opening, from which holy water flows.

The enormous plane tree of Agia Mavri is a protected, 800-year-old centenarian tree, with a height of 38 meters and a base perimeter of 8 meters.

According to tradition, Agia Mavri was a young woman living in Koilani, who was in love with Timotheos. Their parents ,however, were not supportive of their love, so the young couple decided to run away together on the he wedding eve and hide in a cave in the forest, at the area where the chapel is today.

When they were located, the Saint struck the rock with her hands and opened a passage for them to escape to Pera Pedi. The holy water that flows there today, is said to come from that opening. Agios Timotheos and Agia Mavri were arrested by the ruler of Thebes, Arrianos, and found martyrdom after torture.

Header photo: Dimitris Vetsikas