CHURCHES

Saint George Church

The church of Saint George was constructed between 1931 and 1941. The specific church, according to the Great Cypriot Encyclopaedia, “replaced the older church of the 18th century”.

It is located in the centre of the old village of Kyvides and it is imposing with its simple architecture.

Our church celebrates the memory of Saint George on the 23rd of April.
Nowadays it usually has Service each first Sunday of the month. 

Church of Saint Panteleimonas

The church of Saint Panteleimonas was constructed a few years ago.
It is a church of modern architecture.

Attempts are made for the construction of a New Holy Church dedicated to Saint Panteleimonas at the centre of the community, because the existing church does not cover the needs of the community.

The church celebrates on the 27th of July, day on which Saint Panteleimonas is honoured. 

Saint Efstathios Monastery

According to tradition, our community hosted the Monastery of Saint Efstathios. The only part remaining nowadays is a small church dedicated to the Saint under discussion. Nothing indicates the existence of the Monastery; the church there is known as the chapel of Saint Efstathios. Kappais notes that “what indicates the existence of a church as the catholic of an old monastery is tradition and the few indications that still remain around it”.

The Monastery was probably destroyed during Turkish domination era. Kappais indicates this when writing that: “Unfortunately there is no information regarding the history of the monastery, which was destroyed during Turkish occupation like many more monasteries of our Eparchy”.

The restoration of the chapel was taken on by an inhabitant of Kyvides, the late Savvas Anastasiou.

The church has a Service on the 20th September each year, day on which Saint Efstathios is honored.

Monastery of Panagia Chryseleousa or Perachoritissa

The Monastery of Panagia Chryseleousa or, as it is known, Perachoritissa, is situated near the Monastery of Saint Efstathios. The first monastery, just like the latter is a “one-roomed church with an arched roof”. This church, according to Kappais, “was the catholic of the monastery”.

Testimonies in the Monastery, according to Kappais, “indicate the existence of an old monastery”. Kappais also mentions that during the 15th century, the abbot of the Monastery of Panagia tou Stylou, Neophytos, donated a Holy Gospel to the Monastery.
The Monastery of Panagia is widely known as Perachoritissa, because the distance from the village centre to the Monastery was considered great, as no means of transportation existed. The name Perachoritissa is related to the location of the Monastery, namely away from the village centre.

The interior of the Monastery is simple “without”, as mentioned by Kappais “something special as far as architecture is concerned”. Amongst the icons on the small iconostasis, stands the thaumaturge icon of Panagia Photolambousa.

The church has a Service on the holidays of Panagia and the Diakainisimos week.

Chapel of Saints Akindynoi

The Chapel of Saint Akindynoi (Akindynos, Afthonios, Pigasios, Anempodistos, Eldipoforos) is built on “a green valley, covered in locust trees and olive trees”, two kilometres south of Aggeliki Station.

The chapel hosts a great festival on the first Sunday after Easter. Mr. Demos Vyronos describes the festival writing: “in this festival, taking place in the heart of spring, the most beautiful season, all people from Kyvides participate along with many foreigners”. He also says that: “right after Mass, everyone is scattered across the area. Others on the pavements and others under the shade of trees. The smell of the meat baked fills the atmosphere and the appetite grows. Irene whose pinfold is right next to the church is always hospitable and offers fresh and genuine sheep yoghurt for free. The feast begins. Everyone is singing and dancing until nigh time and they wonder: How come we wait so long for this festival and it goes away so fast when it finally comes?”.

Inside the churchyard, there is a stone with a narrow passing, known as “The stone of Agion Akindinon”. Whoever believes in Agious Akindinous, can go through this stone.

The stone of Agion Akindinon

Chapel of Stavros (Cross)

On an imposing hill of the village, stands a small medieval chapel dedicated to Stavros (Cross). The Great Cypriot Encyclopaedia mentions, according to Gannys, that the chapel “used to be decorated with murals”.

The reconstruction of the chapel took place at the end of the 20th century by Hadjianthimos Hercules.

The chapel hosts a festival twice a year, on the 14th of September, when our church universally celebrates the Elevation of the Holy Cross, and on Monday after Easter.

Mr.  Demos Vyronos writes for the festival that: “Several merchants set their tents around the chapel and sell their products”.

Sources:
Pano Kyvides Community Council
Demetriou Ch. Kappai, Peregrination to the Monasteries of Limassol, ed. Holy Eparchy of Limassol, Limassol 2006
Demoy Vyronos, From the old to the New Kyvides, Limassol 2001