The church of Archangel Michael

The church of the Archangel Michael arises nn the south-west of the village of Analiondas, on a small green. The exact time of the church’s manufacture is unknown but some evidence that we have give us its signs in the middle 18tth century. And to be more specific a Russian traveler claims that the church was built in 1734. Some other evidence say that th3 church was built in the 12th-13th century. This version says that the church was built by nobles. Near the church we can still see the ruins of an old pagan temple.

According to Kappais, the church used to have two entries on the north side and a smaller church with an entry on its north entry. The same man notes that the inside of the church was decorated with wall paintings. The bigger and most imposing one was the wall painting of the Archangel Michael. Kiriazis Neoklis notes that this form of the church remained the same until the 15th or 16th century and then it was renovated.

The church has taken its present form in 1769 by the Archbishop Chrysanthos (as it is written on a fresco on the north side of the church). The present church is single aisled with arches with 3 entries: in the middle of the north, west and south wall.

Inside the church there are many wall paintings. The majority of them were donned by villagers. The most imposing wall paintings of the church are the one depicting Saint Constantine and Saint Helene and the one of Saint Dimitrios which are placed on the right and left side of the despotic throne.

The iconostasis of the church is incredibly beautiful. It was manufactured in the 18th century. It has many icons which were made in the 17th century. One of the most important icons is the one of Archangel Michael which is quite big and it depicts the saint as a Byzantine soldier. The saint holds a javeline with his right arm and on the other hand an icon of the Christ. It is an icon which undoubtedly will make a great impact on you.

The specific church was at its peak in the 19th century according to N. Kiriazis. More specifically, the monastery had a huge fortune in many villages of the island of Cyprus such as Filani, Episkopio, Kapedes, Lithrodontas, Agia Varvara and Strovolos.

From the mid 19th century and until 1970 the monastery was deserted. But then, the Archbishop Makarios III visited it and decided to renovate it. Its restoration begun after a holy vision of Mariam who lived in the monastery of Agios Georgios Alamanos. Except from this nun, the department of Antiquities of Cyprus, the archdiocese of Cyprus and many people from the village have all contributed to the renovation and restoration of the church. Soon, not only the church was restored but another small chapel dedicated to Saint Nektarios was built.

The church of Archangel Michael is considered an archaeological treasure and it is under the protection of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus.

The church of Agia Marina

The church of Agia Marina arises on the east side of the village among the beautiful and picturesque houses of Analiondas. It is the main church of the village. According to an inscription which was found, the church has taken its present form in 1917 after a renovation. It is believed that the present church was built on the ruins of an older church. Tradition says that the history of the older church goes back to the 16th century.

The single aisled church is covered with an amphikline wooden roof made of hooking tiles. The east side of the church ends to a polygonal arch also covered with tiles. The entire ecclesiastic building is surrounded by a stone made yard.

The inside of the church is decorated with a carved iconostasis with depictions of plants. We can also see a wooden carved icon stand and a throne which, according to Herodotos Charalambous, were made in the 18th century.

We should also note that some holy icons made before the restoration of the church are kept in the sanctuary. Among these icons there is an ancient one depicting Saint Marina.

Finally we must mention that the inhabitants of the village decided to build a new bigger church, also dedicated to Saint Marina as the capacity of present one is not big enough.

The chapel of Saint George

On the south east of the island of Cyprus, in the settlement of Katalionda, you can see the ruins of the chapel of Saint George.

Where the chapel used to be, the only thing one can see are some scattered stones. According to Nearchos Kliridis, the chapel was very famous during the Franks occupation but also during the Byzantine era. Its great fame is connected with the thaumaturgical icon of saint George which decorated the main church of the village, Agia Marina, for many years in the past. Today the holy icon of the Saint is kept in the Archdiocese of Cyprus.

From the oral tradition we learn that a very rich Turkish-Cypriot landowner used to light the candle of the Saint daily. His name was Hilmi Bey.

The inhabitants of the village state that in the basement of the church there was a tunnel which constituted a refuge for the Christians when they were pogrom.

The chapel of Saint Mavri

The small chapel of Agia Mavri is built in the area of Agia Mavri. Only the ruins of the old monastery remain in the area and these are almost covered. According to the inhabitants of the village, the chapel was probably abandoned during the Turkish occupation.

Recently, a prefabricated church was placed near the abandoned chapel. It was donated by the family of Herodotos Charalambous. The inside of the church is simple with some icons and candles. This church is just a place where one can pray and no service is taking place.