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
Church of Archangel Michael
The church of Archangel Michael is a wood-chapel church dating from the 16th century and is very close to the church of Panagia Podithou. Although the church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it is more known as the church of Archangel Michael. Its dime
Church of Ioakim and Anni
The church of Saints Ioakim and Anni in the centre of the village is one of the oldest of the Solea region (12th century). It is built in the a single-aisled Basilica style, which carries a wooden, pebbled, tiled roof. The church is built with stone. T
Church of Panagia Asinou
The church of Panagias Forviotissas, better known as Panagia Asinou, is built southwest of Nikitari village. It is the main church of the Monastery ton Forvion, from where its name comes. In an inscription dated around 1105/6 located above the southern
Church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa
The church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa, according to the inscription on the southern door of the church, appears to have been built in 1905. When it was built, it was in the centre of the village, but today, with the extension that the village has take
Church of Panagia of Moutoullas
To the south of the village, on a rocky hill overlooking the area and at a distance of 300 meters from the main road, is the church of Panagia, called “Moutoullas” (formerly “The Most Holy Theotokos of Gerakiotis”). The name of the temple is due to the
Church of Panagia Rodon to Amaranto (Our Lady of the Unwilted Rose)
The village of Kato Koutrafas is located a few kilometres after Astromeritis to Troodos. It is an abandoned village and its few inhabitants are mainly engaged in agriculture and livestock farming. The church of the village is dedicated to the Virgin Ma
Church of the Timios Stavros (Holy Cross)
The church of the Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) is located at the exit of the Community of Tembria, on the road to Korakou-Evrychou on the top of a hill overlooking the mountain. Tradition connects its building with the discovery and transfer of the Cros
Holy Church of Panagia Exartimenon (Our Lady)
The name of the village of Kannavia, probably originated from the fact that in the area, the cannabis plant, one of the main types of cultivation in Cyprus in the past, was cultivated extensively in older times. Of utmost importance, in the history of
