THE CHURCH OF THE VIRGIN MARY ANGELOKTISTI

THE CHURCH BUILT BY ANGELS

The Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Angeloktisti is an 11th-century church located in the village of Kiti, approximately 12 kilometres southwest of the City of Larnaca. This church is linked to a beautiful fantastical legend that has given the church its name. This legend states that a group of angels descended from heaven one night to construct the church in honour of the Virgin Mary, who had previously visited the site. Hence, its name translates to ‘built by angels’ in Greek.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

SACRED ICONS

The apse in the Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Angeloktisti houses a rare 6th-Century Mosaic. Rivalling the famous mosaics of Ravenna, Italy, this is just one of the few surviving pieces of pre-iconoclastic Justinian art in the world. This masterpiece that is set in gold, depicts the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus, flanked by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The church also houses a unique 10th-century icon depicting the Virgin Mary, Saint Lazarus, and Luke the Evangelist. Other rare icons and frescoes from the 12th to the 14th century are also housed in the church, along with a 15th-century fresco of John the Baptist and an 18th-century iconostasis depicting Saint George and the victorious Demetrius of Thessaloniki. An ancient tree behind the altar is also considered one of the oldest on the island.

LAYERED ARCHITECTURE

It is known that the current 11th-century cross-in-square design was built over a 5th-century early Christian basilica that once stood on the site. The site’s Gothic-style façade and bell tower were later added by Frankish rulers.