The Church of Panagias Odigitrias (Mother Mary the Guide)
The church of Panagia Odigitria is located in the centre of the village. It was built in 1930 with donations and volunteer work by community residents and other pious Christians and thanks to them was completed within a year and a half. In this place of the church there existed another smaller church, probably of the 15th century. The increase in community population and the scarcity of space required the construction of a larger church. So the old little church was demolished and a large imposing church, today, was built in its place. All the furnishings of the church were made by donations from the local, especially monks, serving in the various monasteries of the region.
The Metropolitan of Kyrenia, Makarios II, used to call this church “little Phaneromeni” to emphasize its majesty, resembling it to the one in Nicosia.
The landmark inscribed on the northern entrance, mentions the names of the founders “Euripides Georgiadis and his wife Anna”, the metropolitan of Kyrenia Makarios “and the acquisition year 1930.
The interior decoration of the church is very rich and imposing. It is divided into three aisles with two rows of columns and a dome. The interior decoration of the church is rich and imposing and bold with hagiographies.
In the sacristy of the church are kept various sacraments and vestments, such as covers, ancient buckles, censers, crosses, a gospel from 1745, etc.
Many Byzantine icons, which apparently belonged to the iconostasis of the older church, are also preserved in the church.
To arrange a visit to the church, please contact Kyriakos Charalambous on (+357) 99-720918.
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