The Agios Epiphanios Church Ruins
Agios Epiphanios (Saint Epiphanios), is an uninhabited settlement. During the 1960s, according to the census tables, there were 117 Muslim settlements in Cyprus. One of which was at Agios Epiphanios Soleas. This however, does not mean that the village had always been Muslim. Sufficient historical evidence shows that the village was of Christian origin. The most obvious proof of this is the name of the village, which bears the name of a Saint. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the overbearing oppression of the Turkish occupation of the time, led poor peasants to assimilate Muslimism. This also led to some Greek Cypriots to convert to Turkish Cypriots. The Dragoman of Cyprus, Frangoullis, of Frankish Hellenistic descent, also played an important role in this.
The wealthy Mohammedans of Lefka also affected public opinion, consisting mostly of Sipahi (Spas) and landowners, who employed many Christians in the area. From time to time powerful muftis (Islamic scholars), worked systematically towards the Islamization of Christians. As a result, the village of Agios Epiphanios was changed altogether. By 1975, the remaining Christian inhabitants were converted to Muslimism. This resulted in their moving to the occupied areas.
It is very possible that the village was named after the Saint of the existing church located in the village. The ruins of which are still there today. It is important to note that the inhabitants of the nearby village Flassou, refer to this church as Palioklisia (The old church).
Location
Churches
Agia (Saint) Paraskevi Church
This small church is located on the road between Galata and Kakopetria Villages. It was founded ca. 1510 A.D. It is a one-aisled church with a rectangular chamber at the sanctum that is covered under the same roof as the church. This chamber was constr
Agia Varvara (St. Barbara) Church
The church of Agia Varvara, which is older (16th century), is outside the village next to the abandoned village of Agroladou and has the same typology as Agios Mamas. The roof is wooden and in two parts and its plan is rectangular with the altar toward
Agios (Saint) Antonios Church (old)
In Spilia village there are two churches of Agios Antonios, the old and the new ones. The old one was built in 1850 and the new one in 1970. The two churches are next to each other, on a hill overlooking Spilia village. The old church of Agios Antonios
Agios Antonios Church (new)
In Spilia village there are two churches of Agios Antonios, the old and the new ones. The old one was built in 1850 and the new one in 1970. The two churches are next to each other, on a hill overlooking Spilia village. The new church was completed in
Agios Georgios Church
The church of Agios Georgios (St. George) was built in 1886 and is a one-aisled basilica. The date of 1886 is in the iron skylight of the southern entrance of the church. Its size is significantly larger than the churchs of the Ottoman period, but also
Agios Mamas Church
The church of Agios Mamas is located in the centre of the village on a hill and is visible from most of the village. The church, based on its typology but also on the basis of testimonies, dates back to the 18th century. Its plan is rectangular and inc
Agios Sozomenos (Saviour) Church
The church of Agios Sozomenos is located in the centre of the old village of Galata. It was built and frescoed in 1513, with the financial support of fourteen inhabitants of the village. Their names, as well as the professions of some of them, refer to
Agios Theodoros Church (Naos Ayiou Theodorou)
To the east of the old centre of the village and on the banks of the tributary that crosses the village, one will find the church of St. Theodoros Stratilatis (Naos Ayiou Theodorou tou Stratilati). The construction of the church dates back to the late
